WEEK 103 - THE FINAL RIDGE BEAM

It has been perfect building weather all week and the Team have taken full advantage.

The main task was to put in place the final ridge beam. First the 'scaffolding' had to be completed. Brett experienced the Teams handywork & the full height view.


The following sequence shows the beam being manhandled into position. Bear in mind this is a 15' length of 12"x3" green heart wood which takes 4 men to lift even when on the ground.

Resting in the horizontal awaiting the final lift into position.

A suitable system of ropes and pulleys

Ah, a hard hat at last for Kenrick as he directed operations from below.

Terminus arrives on the scene and decides more scaffolding is required before the final lift.

Nearly there.

The final adjustments.

And there it is...

The rafters are now being prepared .....

.... and the first put in place before a well deserved break at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the plasterers have continued to cover more block work ...

.... and to cover the en-suite shower wall in order that Brett could check the angles prior to his departure.

As the finishing approaches, ambient light levels become more obvious and repositioning of light fittings to give best possible effect become necessary.

Elsewhere, the water tanks are being prepared for their final coating.

To prevent the workers having to tread on the tiles once they have been laid, the skylights are being HLSed,

and the tilers have now reached the top of the south roof.

Having completed the first batch of concrete templates for the ridge tiles, it became obvious that the pieces were too heavy and unwieldy to be practical.

So Kenrick came up with an alternative build, the finished product is lighter and easier handle.

These will be delivered to the manufacturer next week and we will hopefully see the first batch by the first week in May. Brett approves Kenrick's concrete ridge tile sample made to see how the curve & ridge will work.