Getting down

The last stage of this project (other than the tidy up bit, which will not be trivial) is to do the fascia boards below the deck.  In our original planning this was just part of the blue bits.  In fact as far as I (Martin) am concerned it is turning into a major subproject.

This is mainly because what I am handling is the lowest parts of the woodwork on the Northern side of the house: it is exposed to the prevailing wind (and thus rain) and in full sunlight for most of the day.  In other words it is the most stressed part of the fabric of the woodwork.  Using the Karcher took about 3 hours and it was obvious that a fair bit of paint-scraper and sandpaper action was required after that.  Then we ran out of the blue paint about 30% of the way through this final step (Frances had done 2 coats on the more protected South and West parts of the deck).

The main part of the job has now been finished.  All that is left to do is three sets  of steps and two bits of downpipe.   Two of the sets of steps need some carpentery work done which may turn into an issue because it involves getting a carpenter round to do the work.  Thus far I have made one attempt at phoning a carpenter who didn't return my call.  (In fairness that may be because I left a voicemail on the Telstra voicemail system, and I have never had a returned call from that system.  My next attempt will be to call the guy on his mobile.)