Inching Along. Royally.
At the top of the “north wing” on the north facade I discovered shingles with old caked-on paint and a bunch of flat-head nails. Ugh.
When one nails on a shingle, the nail goes into the upper part of the shingle, where it will be covered by the next layer of shingles.
But somebody had just pounded a bunch of flat-head nails into these shingles.
Oh, the horror.
These, of course, had to go.
While removing the nails however many of the shingles cracked. This is bad.
So…
…I just pulled off the offending shingles. This area is just under the big curved cornice. Now, see the shingle just right of center? That is a relatively NEW shingle. Huh? And adjacent to it are three more relatively new shingles. Huh????????
It seems that the very area causing me some vexation was redone about ten years ago. Old shingles were removed, and a combination of new shingles, and reused shingles, were reinstalled. But all with exposed flat-head nails.
ARGH!
I redid, yet again, the same area. A few of the shingles are old. Some are brand new. Some are new-ish but are reused from the north facade. These had been installed by me in 2014 under the center arched window as a temporary measure. This year I removed these painted shingles…and now re-installed them here.
Last week I was able to get the curved cornice painted. You can see the “problem” shingle area upper right. And today…
…I mostly finished painting about three feet under the cornice. Tomorrow I will remove some scaffolding! One of my very favorite jobs!
Soon, I will have the whole second floor of the “north wing” painted and I am breathless with excitement!
The whole while I have been high up on the scaffolding I have been listening to a biography of Prince Charles on my iPhone (with headset). I admire Charles for his long dedication to improving the lives of people, and for his dedication to organic farming and gardening at his estate, Highgrove, which has been detailed in several books (all on my library shelves). Charles is constantly abused by the media in the UK and, as a result, millions of people have a view of Charles which wholly contradicts his actual achievements. Well, my heart goes out to the man, and what he endures reminds me exactly of what Hillary endures in the US.
Anyway, I mention this because as I deal with screwed-up shingles and sanding and patching and priming and painting in a small town in Kansas, all high off the ground in blazing heat, I am also simultaneously, vicariously experiencing a royal life.
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Very pretty, your highness ! !
Looking good, Ross! Made my smile for the day.
Prince Charles is also a good amateur artist. He has some really nice studies of the Scottish Highlands in various lighting conditions.
Your dedication to doing it right is a quality in short supply these days. Be careful up there; I got overheated a bit last weekend, it can sneak up on you.
You do such beautiful work, Ross. It makes my day to see your progress.
Looks great Ross!! Makes me smile to see the beautiful & hard work your highness!
In surprised at how well so much of your original shingling has held up.
Definitely looks better without being peppered with exposed nails, and will certainly last longer!
Looking forward to seeing the two ends meet.
Me, too!
I, too, think Prince Charles has been unfairly maligned, just – as you said – as Hillary has been. By the way, I love just the swags in green. I know all this is four years ago, but I am eager to keep going to see what you’ve done.