Bricks and (no) mortar

Things have continued to progress on the site, but mainly with the ground works, the drainage and the retaining wall near the canal.  All the house retaining structures are now complete and ready to be faced with bricks.  It was a condition of planning that the bricks and mortar we use should be approved by the local planning officer.  A few weeks ago, the bricks were approved and the first batch have now arrived on site.  Four test panels have been constructed for the planning officer to review.

Sample 1 (before the mortar was tidied)

Sample 2

Samples 3 & 4

The planning and conservation officers visited the site today and decided that none of the proposed mortars were appropriate for the canalside location.  This is a setback, but hopefully not too large a problem.  The officers have gone away to study the palette of available mortars to allow them to suggest a colour.  They are aware that this is holding up the build, so we hope that they will come up with their preference in the next day or two, although they are likely to request another sample panel before they give it the go ahead.

View from the towpath showing the new retaining wall and steps between the upper and lower terraces

Our other building project is the boat.  This seems to be making better progress.  It is slightly more boat-shaped!  These pictures were taken a week ago, and we should have some more in the next couple of days.

The sharp end

Beside its more mature sibling

Much more bow-shaped!