Gordon the Gondola's first flight

Well, at long last here is Gordon the Gondola in position on the ledge on the north end of the tower. He was lifted effortlessly and without incident via the T Davit crane this morning. The crane jib swings through 360 degrees so with one positioning of the crane we can place the gondola twice.

Once up there the gondola is secured to the tank by chains and tensioners. It will also be bolted to the tank for belt-and-braces. The intention is to needle-gun the accessible parts of the tank, then paint that section fully - six coats of paint in all. We shall get an awning so that the work can proceed regardless of rain.

Thanks to Settle blacksmith David Clements for making the massive socket into which the crane is located and to David Stubbs at the garage for welding the gondola together.

The crane has been equipped with an electric hoist which proves very capable of lifting the gondola.

As soon as the weather warms up we can get cracking on the painting of the tank, working clockwise.

Thursday 17th February - having secured the final chains between the gondola and the tank I took a giant leap of faith in my own handiwork, went over the top and into the gondola. It works a treat and feels totally secure. It is fixed to the tank at seven points - plus the crane rope for good measure. My body harness is secured to a horizontal steel rope, independent of the gondola which could collapse from under me and I could not fall. A fixed ladder connects the top of the tank to the gondola floor and provides an escape route even if the gondola was not there. Belt, braces and several pieces of string . . . .