The materials arrived on a low loader the following day, 2 ½ crates, which containing Spanish slate, battens, joists, Polythene sheeting and boxes of tile hangers. Phil soon arrived and we then began to erect the scaffolding at the rear of the extension. The scaffolding of a tubular construction was soon erected and we then began to remove the old corrugated roofing. We worked from left to right, Phil clambering up to the top of extension roof, unscrewing the securing bolts before handing the corrugated sheets down to me. I then stacked the sheets on the scaffolding platform prior to lowering to the ground. We moved surprisingly fast and had uncovered a large area before the weather began to close in. Phil decided to cover up the exposed roof so laid overlapping sheets of Polythene to the roof secured by a few battens nailed to the joists. It began to rain. The temporary roof cover worked surprisingly well, it was getting late so we called it a day.

Day two

We continued removing the corrugated panels in between frequent showers until the whole of the roof had been exposed. The day passed quickly and after Phil left for home I moved the corrugated sheets to a location prior to removal to the local tip.

Days three and four

We removed the temporary polythene sheeting. Phil measured up and cut lengths of 4be2 which where to run down the roof supported by the original joists. The lengths were then laid out along the roof and nailed home. As we worked Phil measured up and made openings for the placement of the velux windows. We then recovered the roof with further sheets of overlapping polythene securing to the 4be2 joists with multiple lengths of batten. Phil had made a up a spacer and as I passed the lengths of batten to him he would use this to position the battens correctly before securing using a compressed air operated nail gun. We worked as a team and moved rapidly across the roof.

Day five

The roof was ready for slating. Phil needed slates spread across the top of the scaffolding platform so that he could begin. This was my job. I lifted and placed a number of slates on my shoulder (25 – 30) and ran them up the scaffolding ladder stacking the slate along the whole length of the platform. Phil would then come down the roof to the platform and collect a handful of slates, move back up the roof and begin. At first I found it easy to move the slate but after an hour began to tire. Working the whole day moving slate up ladders was hard going but I was proud that I had emptied 1½ crates at the end of the day. I occasionally stopped to talk and admire Phil’s work. Here was a craftsman at work and you had to admire the skill involved in creating a finished slate roof. Phil took his time and had finished a small area by the end of day five. I could see from the area covered that the roof would look excellent when completed. We also managed to fit two of the five-velux windows on day five.