Now the scaffolding has been removed, we can sandblast the stonework on the new extension.  We tend to do the sandblasting at the weekend because it is so noisy and messy.  It just makes it to difficult to work on the site while the sandblasting is going on.

The next stage will be to point the stonework. We will be using the same lime and Nosterfield River sand mortar that we used on the original part of the property.

All of this stone has been brought in from offsite and is the closest match the we could find.  The one exception are the quoins (the large corner stones) on the porch.  These originally form part of the barn that was where the kitchen is now.

This is the back of the porch. The small window is for the downstairs cloakroom.

This is the back of the porch. The small window is for the downstairs cloakroom.

 

Although the roof is still to go on, serious progress has been made on the porch this week. The canopy is built using oak similar to the internal roof trusses.

Although the roof is still to go on, serious progress has been made on the porch this week. The canopy is built using oak similar to the internal roof trusses.

 

The stonework on the new extension and porch were sandblasted today. This effectively removes a loose dirt or paint from the surface of the stone. By the time that it is pointed, it will be close match to the existing cottages. The roof of the porch and kitchen will be finished off next week.

The stonework on the new extension and porch were sandblasted today. This effectively removes a loose dirt or paint from the surface of the stone. By the time that it is pointed, it will be close match to the existing cottages. The roof of the porch and kitchen will be finished off next week.

The rear of the extension has also been sandblasted. Even the small gable end in the kitchen has been cleaned. The white box next to the utility window houses the new (three phase) electricity meter. I do wish they came in colours other than white!

The rear of the extension has also been sandblasted. Even the small gable end in the kitchen has been cleaned. The white box next to the utility window houses the new (three phase) electricity meter. I do wish they came in colours other than white!

Yup. This is the compressor that is used to clean the stone. It is a pretty noisy and sandy business. Definitely not for the faint hearted!

Yup. This is the compressor that is used to clean the stone. It is a pretty noisy and sandy business. Definitely not for the faint hearted!

All of the exterior stonework on the extension has been sandblasted so that it matches the existing cottages. There is a lot of stonework here, but it is easily cleaned in a day. The hessian cloth on the ridge of the roof is to prevent the mortar being washed away on the new ridge tiles.

All of the exterior stonework on the extension has been sandblasted so that it matches the existing cottages. There is a lot of stonework here, but it is easily cleaned in a day. The hessian cloth on the ridge of the roof is to prevent the mortar being washed away on the new ridge tiles.

There isn't much stonework on this elevation, however, the small areas that are here have been sandblasted so that it matches the rest of the property. Unfortunately, we are going to have to wait until the new year for the bi-folding doors to be fitted in the master bedroom.

There isn’t much stonework on this elevation, however, the small areas that are here have been sandblasted so that it matches the rest of the property. Unfortunately, we are going to have to wait until the new year for the bi-folding doors to be fitted in the master bedroom. You can see the strip of hessian placed on the ridge tiles to protect the mortar from the wet weather.