Friday 1st August 2025

Yes, a different day of the week due to Geoff's site visits to his 'other project'...

Stephen had researched and started producing a small wooden coal office, but then cut the depth down by 1/3. A little bit of time in Photoshop produced some colour options, for consideration.

However, placing the office on the layout was a bit of a shock - it looked enormous and completely swamped the area, blocking views to some lovely features. It was a non-starter and was unanimously dropped.

Stephen had found two different packets of "Kappler Mill Scale Lumber" and the plank & batten pack was used. (Strangely, this was 'all-the-thing' 50 years ago and Geoff had imported some direct from the USA, but he has no recollection of it now). The roof was made from dark 'interfacing' supplied by the wife. Very thin so it folds well and has a nice texture.

Geoff had decided that the solvent blemishes discovered on the new pond Perspex sheet were not acceptable and prepared a new sheet. He started painting the underside again, although not exactly the same. The semi-matt surface of the old water will be replicated by fine polishing and the grey watery depths need another coat. Remembering how the rock spoil was built stretched the memory quite a bit, but Geoff worked it out eventually.

Stephen moved on to the factory water supply pipes extension. Having cut a channel for the pipes, it was now decided to cut the whole area away and fill it flat. Hey presto! (Brown grout sped the process up).

Geoff had 3D printed some new pipes and joint flanges, which were assembled and glued in place.

Some time was spent reviewing outstanding scenery areas (more shrubs and electrostatic grass), painting details like painting and fitting the new point ground frame and fittings.