'Staying inside!'

After months of staying inside, in a bid to prevent the spread of this potentially fatal illness, (which shows no discrimination), the lockdown restrictions begin to ease with much caution and trepidation. The more vulnerable of the population still keeping to their homes with due diligence, one eye on daily newsreel reports updating with facts and figures and changes in society.

The easement for me means a return to the restoration and slowly the work on the waggon resumes at a somewhat delayed but steady pace. Working alone and taking precautions, it’s probably a safer exercise than my once daily walk, with constant crossing of the road like a drunken sailor in order to social distance from the arm swinging, dog walking, & jogging fraternities.

Back to the Waggon

With much of the exterior stripped where possible - rear, offside & nearside, attention turns to the front of the waggon. The top window doors are removed for stripping and sanding along with the bottom, more decorative door. Methodically the front is stripped including the porchbrackets and under the porch. The good news that the roof boards appear to be in good condition considering their age. The whole roof will need the felt removing on top, back to bare boards, then the ceiling inside will need stripping of the incredibly thick and cracked paintwork.