'It's the End of the Year (as we know it)!'

Heading towards the last 2 weeks of December, time was split between the waggon work and Christmas jobs i.e. online present buying, searching out last year's wrapping paper and cards (you've always bought more than you need), pulling from the attic, old Christmas decorations (some you thought you'd thrown away last year) and putting up the tree. All thoughts then transfer to the new year approaching, 2021, one that might not be all-consumed by coronavirus in all its various strains.

After the roof was canvassed, a short breather and diligent study of the local weather forecasts - more precisely the temperatures, took place. Picking the warmest of the decreasingly colder days that were coming, in order to attempt more gloss coats on the waggon's roof. Six extra coats were accomplished in total. Canvas edges were trimmed just shy of the wooden structure beneath and new wooden mouldings were bought, treated, primed, undercoated and on the underside glossed ready to attach to the o/s and n/s roof edges to neatly finish.

The Determinator

So a firm goodbye to an unforgiving 2020 as the anticipation of 2021 fills my mind with hopeful possibilities and the prospect of a finishing date for the waggon work. Although one of the larger tasks is completed i.e. the roof re-canvassed, there are still some big jobs left to tackle, such as the rear wheels to be removed & repaired and the removal of the front lock to sand, paint and decorate. The immediate weather so far this year is slightly controlling my time spent getting to and working on the waggon and also governs the types of jobs I can undertake. Forecasts suggest variable temperatures to come, so each day, week, is played by ear for the time being.