We're Getting There Cladding-wise

 When the rest of the country is stripping external cladding from high-rise buildings we are making great progress with installing it on our definitely low-rise extension.

It has proved to be quite a task on a DIY basis and over winter it ha=s been a matter of grabbing the few windows in the weather as they arise.  Ideal conditions are warm, dry and still - a pretty rare winter combination.  Short daylight hours add to the problem.

Well Spring seems to be springing quite nicely and we are most definitely on the last lap.  The focus recently has been on the south end of the extension and here is the picture this afternoon:

The corner panels are the trickiest by far.  The internal lower corner, left of centre fought me every inch of the way but there it is. nestling in the angle between those two large windows.   The upper external panel, nearest the camera, has been today's struggle. Note the two 15mm spacers between it and the corner panel below.  They are attached to vertical temporary timbers to enable placement at height and to keep the spacers in place whilst during wiggling and fixing.   The uneven horizontal gap will disappear at final fixing stage.

End panel E2 is going back to the manufacturers later this week for a minor while-you-wait modification.   The remaining two coping corner panels should be in place by Friday but already the  south end is looking very smart indeed.

I wondered if I had caught a UFO between the trees but be assured it's the moon.  The vertical bit between the cladding and the tower is a deliberate recess at the suggestion of the Conservation Officer to create a visual break between the two contrasting building styles.  Probably coloured black but suggestions welcome.

And here'a  bit of fun showing world steam speed record holder Mallard picking up water from water troughs.  The tender has filled and excess water is shooting out of the overflow port on the top,  The leading carriage is often First Class too.  I just hope that none of the windows were open.