Part 2: Roundhouse roof in place
Part 2 : Roundhouse roof in place
In preparation for this next phase a suitable pair of ‘Builders’ boots were purchased.
Also a grinder, to remove the 60 year rusted bolts anchoring the roof to the truck body structure. It might seem extravagant but, with the time constraints imposed, and having already spent 20 minutes to remove 1 of the 28 bolts in quite cold and wet weather, I thought it very wise….my convictions were justified as it took only a minute per bolt thereafter!
(WW016 & WW017 show special tools in action)
So, a half hour on and the roof is raised sufficient to introduce wood supports and the truck body kindly gives up its roof, where it embarks on a short man-powered ‘Tow’ to its new location. There were a few heart stopping moments in bringing it to ground level, mainly because we did not know what weight to contend with. Anyway, Skydrift and I were undaunted….we wanted it off.
(WW018 to WW024 show the removal and re-positioning)
Now more or less in place, we begin a somewhat precarious balancing act to ‘walk’ the roof up the Roundhouse upright supports. This was managed by lifting in stages, firstly onto 2 large upended flower planters and chocking with 2 cross timbers screwed into the upright supports, then onto 2 dustbins. The whole process was accomplished, in 6 repeat moves and a great deal of faith, to reach the position where it could be lifted fully onto the upright supports, where luckily (although I maintain this was always the calculated result) the support tops and roof mated perfectly.
(WW025 to WW030 show the ‘lift’)
Finally lifted over the upright supports the roof is affixed to withstand the Scottish winds and the trim cut and fixed to the outer edge. A coat of brown paint to the roof completes the job. Satisfaction at a job well done.
(WW031 to WW033 show the completed structure)
That done, we were then ready to hold the IMBOLC ceremony. The last photo file WW034 being the IMBOLC Altar now adorned by the Snowdrops.
