I’m pretty happy with the layout of my local’s updated web page. There’s still work to be done, but thanks to Kev, who designs and prints the publicity material, the content’s looking better.
Category Archives: Doing stuff
Perfection
Had some pretty good feedback on my prototype web page for my local. Maybe a little over the top, but I’m pleased I’m heading in the right direction.
More work on the live music and charities page next.
Voluntary work
Thought I’d do some work to benefit my local community.
It’s a little more phone friendly than the existing site.
I’ve not spent long on it, so it’s mostly placeholder pages while I get the structure right. So it’s nowhere near ready to be published.
Pisa
After hearing from a few people that Pisa is something of a dump, I wasn’t particularly looking forward to seeing it. Even though it’s something that has to be done.
But it was well worth the visit.
And, of course, this also had to be done …
It’s not remotely a dump. Come on, I live in Gateshead. Our only historic landmark (the Get Carter car park) was demolished years ago.
Bitumen
The first coat of liquid membrane has been applied. It’ll be a shame to plaster over it; it’d look nice painted.
Pointing (again)
One of the problems associated with living in a house built in (roughly) the 1830s is the lack of foundations. I may have mentioned this previously.
Last year, I found that the wall by the back door suffered from damp. Badly so. I removed the plaster from the wall and, since I’ve a fondness for exposed brick, I briefly considered leaving it so. However, it seemed that a previous occupant had also detected dampness. Early last century, I’d guess. I say that because the solution was to apply a cement-like substance as a barrier. Some of the cement coating came off with the plaster, but a large patch wouldn’t budge. Despite aggressive chiselling.
So, I put off doing anything with the wall because I wasn’t sure what to do with it. After a year of occasional deliberation, I decided on the only real option. To coat the wall and re-plaster.
Today, I took the first step and pointed the wall.
It’s rough, but it’s going to be covered, so I don’t need to tidy it up.
The big lump of stone on the right is the side of the fireplace. I’d have liked to clean it up and leave it exposed, but it’s just not practical.
Another day …
After my third day in the shed this week, I’ve finally completed one wall.
Thankfully, it’s the biggest wall. And two others are already part done from the outside.
Somehow, I have leftover stone.
Another day in the shed
I’ve developed the deepest respect for stonemasons. After another few hours working on the shed, I ache pretty much everywhere.
Rebuilding a stone wall isn’t easy. There’s a lot of walking backwards and forwards with heavy pieces of stone and lifting and rearranging to get the right fit.
It’s extremely slow progress and I’m going through a ridiculous amount of sand and cement. But I’m sure it’ll be worth the effort.
And at least the rock pile in the garden is now smaller.
Temptation
Since I’ll never see the outer side wall of the shed again, I’ve spent a couple of hours going over the pointing, making sure there were no gaps or obvious weak points.
I’ve also made a start on the inner wall.
I’d have done more, but the lure of food and beer on a sunny day was too great.
The rock pile was temporarily reduced, since I’d used some of it on the wall. But adding damp stone from inside the shed increased its size again.
I think that the shed would look good with a wall in front.
Finished
Well, not really. But I have finally rebuilt the outer side wall of the shed. I’d intended only to point it, but almost all had to be rebuilt. The hole left over from last weekend had to be expanded because the blocks of stone were all loose, exposing more of my neighbour’s garden.
Thankfully, it’s no longer visible.
There’s some finishing off to do tomorrow, then I may begin rebuilding the inner layer.