More muscle

Nephew David and his fiancee Barbara spent another day with us today.   Between them they finished off the pathway at the back, cut back the final bits of hedge and, as seen here, levelled up the mighty great tank base plates which will form the run-in to the garages.   Barbara rode shotgun on Model T Gladys Emmanuel which we brought to the water tower to see if she would fit in the garage with her hood up.   She does - just.
The Model T that is.   Not Barbara .  

The Arrival of the Summer House by Road and Air

See https://picasaweb.google.com/follyatsettle/SummerHouse?authkey=Gv1sRgCK-lmrDmvP2JqgE

for pictures of the summer house being lifted from its location at Wonder of Wood in Stainforth, arrival at the water tower and its amazing flight over the treetops to its landing pad.

Not shown is its eventful journey.   It would not fit under Ingfield bridge, by just two inches, despite the suspension of the low loader being lowered.   Brian Thornton, with help from police and colleagues had to reverse the mile or so from Ingfield Bridge to the by-pass roundabout - unable to see the back of his vehicle because of the load.   A remarkable operation.   Then up the by-pass, down Buckhaw Brow and through the middle of Settle, the police stopping oncoming traffic.   They were philosophical when they heard of the destination.   "Him again eh?"

Towards the crane's limit of weight/ reach ratio the two ton structure was expertly landed safely.   What an achievement.   

I congratulated Brian Thornton and shook his hand.   It was the third time he had moved the structure and I remarked that he had profited from it over the years.   Whilst agreeing, he did remark that if it ever needed moving again, count him out!!!

Postman's devotion to duty

Couldn't resist this from yesterday.   Picture the scene.   Empty summer house sits in Wonder of Wood's compound at Stainforth with crane poised to lift it skywards and onto a low loader.   Down the drive comes a little red van.   Out jumps Postman Pat, letters in hand, heads straight for the door and tries to deliver them.

Retreat of postman Chris Cheetham, who nonetheless sportingly agrees to pose for this picture.

W of W boss Robert Handy shows Postman Chris where the new office is.   "Bugger", says Chris.   "That's further".

Altogether now -

Postman Pat, Postman Pat, Postman Pat and his black and white cat, Early in the morning, Just as day is dawning, He picks up all the post bags in his van. Postman Pat, Postman Pat, Postman Pat and his black and white cat, All the birds are singing, And the day is just beginning, Pat feels he's a really happy man. Everybody knows, his bright red van, All his friends will smile as he waves to greet them, Maybe, You can never be sure, They'll be knock, Ring, Letters through your door, Hay hay, Postman Pat, Postman Pat, Postman Pat and his black and white cat, All the birds are singing, And the day is just beginning, Pat feels he's a really happy man, Pat feels he's a really happy man, Pat feels he's a really happy man

The Summer House has Landed

 

More pictures and details later but this has been a day of excitement with the arrival of the summer house.   Here we see the 2 ton building being lifted OVER our large sycamore tree and into position out of a glorious summer sky.

Northern team building event

 

Some weeks ago I had a surprise request from Northern Rail's Business Development team.   Could they do some work on the S&C, get their hands dirty and have a team building experience.   Here are some of them getting stuck in to the overgrown hedge on the approach to Settle Station.   In the foreground is Business Development Director Barry Graham - who proves to be a dab hand at replacing strimmer cords.   They had a ride on the line, a night at The Lion, a visit to Settle signal box and fish n'chips.    The drive now looks much more befitting of a world famous railway.   

The Beached Whale

 

Click image to enlarge


After a weekend of hard work the shed's purlins are in place.   Those are the horizontal timbers that stretch the length of the roof, to which the roofing sheets will be fixed.   Then we shall have a large waterproof area under which to complete the job.   The three bays of the building can now be seen and its size can be appreciated by comparison with the industrial building behind it.   Next job is the fascia boards, then the roof can go on.   At each stage of construction it gets to look better and better.

Raising the Roof

 

Following a great effort by Wonder of Wood and by Settle Coal, the roof trusses went on without the slightest problem this morning - and everything lined up perfectly.   Wonder of Wood pulled out the stops and cut and delivered the purlins and the massive horizontal lintel first thing this morning.   Then Settle Coal's Hiab crane lifted the trusses gently into place.   Picture shows crane driver Peter (PC) Claughton (left) and neighbour Les (to whom especial thanks), both confident enough to stand under the roof overhang.   The heap of apparent firewood we brought from Appleby really is beginning to look like a building now.