December, we are out of our house and we push on to finish the roof and larch cladding before Judith comits suicide.

We complete the roof section that overlooks the sea, although not totally. We have to leave the last six sections where the wood burning stove flue comes through. They had sent the wrong decktite ( external seal). It was too large to fit into one panel section. We had to have the 305mm width compared to the normal 500mm because of our location. One that has some of the most severe storm risk in the UK.

 Move onto the front section, laying the panels from right to left into the valley. Then from the front gable which runs left to right. Eventually we get to the velux, which proves quite complicated. Yet one we have sat down and worked it out, its not too difficult. But you have to plan it and ensure you keep it watertight.

Make up a few small roof ladders to cope with the angle of the valley.

Gordon and I finish of the North facing roof and start on the ridge.

Gordon and I start on a freezingly cold morning, and it got worse. The hail came down, then rain all helped along with gale force winds. We were hanging onto the ladders whilst perching over the ridge, and at the same time trying to fix the z bars in line and fix it with nails. This lasted about 30 minutes before we decided our thumbs and fingers couldn't take any more miss hits and we moved onto screws.
Yet it is quite difficult to line up to the string line, glue onto the steel and then attempt to fix down by screwing through two layers of steel to fix in these conditions. But we manage to get the z bars fitted after which we clip on the ridge which is then riveted on. Not an easy process. The steel rivets take at least three pulls to go home, and the angles, precarious positioning of the body on the ladder and gale force winds do not help the process. We were both pleased to finish that day, even though we had not seemed to have progressed very quickly.

Could have killed for a soak in a hot bath, but Eric's place  only had a shower, so l had to be content with that.
Must say we were very luck to know that Eric was converting a property for holiday rentals. He had only finished the refurbishment the week we needed to move in. He has made a great job of it and his wife, Denise has dressed it superbly. They wont have a problem selling it in the future.

My helper on the roof then disappeared for three days. His father had been rushed into hospital, so he needed to take over all his work, so it was understandable, but not necessarily agreable from our point of view.
We made the best of a bad job and continued with the larch cladding, finishing off the gable, porch and side wall.

Gordon comes in on the Saturday along with Jordan our labourer and we manage to get the wood burner fitted and all the roof completed.

So we tidy up the site and close it down. Judith will not stay on any longer and l cant blame her. Its been murderous for her, especially having to contend with the packing of our house and organising the move virtually single handedly. 

In truth l was becoming exhausted. 6 months of seven days a week gets at you at times, especially with the stress of coping with the builders with Island mentality.

But we can return after Christmas refreshed and rearing to go.

Go down to the rental cottage, pack the car and then walk down to the pub for dinner, in the knowledge that we are finished for Christmas.