It has been decided that the timber and spouting stored in the lounge well stay there over the Christmas period or until we secure the under house area. We must erect a sign saying it's a construction area as kids have been reported playing underneath it. All in all it was a constructive weekend for the few that were able to turn up. We were to expect thunder storms and heavy rain and strong winds and man did she blow. We went direct to Islington bay as the boat couldn't land at Rangitoto Wharf which meant we didn't waste time loading people and material and driving.
28 October 2006. Things are starting to look good thanks to the small hard working team of regular volunteers.The east wall is all but finished and all that's left is the scribes and flashings and the finish paintjob.Well done Peter. The north wall was claded by Allan and Alan Cutler and the tank stand has been planned out. Christine and Barbara (114 last offical residents) undercoated the kitchen (walls and ceiling) and helped as requested.Most of the other paint i.e exterior wall and the windows were there handy work. The west wall now has its rebuilt windows back in and sliding like never before. John has started the wiring of the lights and the rebuilt fuseboard has been mounted back on the kitchen wall. Alan Collins has been painter, carpenter, glasier and entertainment commitee and general gofor assisted by John. Joan has kept us going with refreshments and allows us to stop for these but only just long enough. So although the veiw from the front looks great don't be fooled as there are months of work left to do at the present rate. Get well soon Roger (fell of his pushbike can you believe and broke his arm just to get out of working on 114)
We have lost a couple of treasures in Thorston (moved to Nelson) who's major contribution was appreciated and Janet who put her hand to carpentery, painting or whatever(blisters to prove it) We have the past regulars pop over on occasions and every now and then a new face, but there is a need for more workers especially when we put the new roof on.DOC have been the lifeline with getting the material there and transport for us. Without them we would be bu****ed.
Prior to Christmas 2006 most of the exterior walls were claded with only finishing around windows etc. to do. They have been 50% primed but because of a lack of workers the continuation of them is on hold. The 10th and 11th of March was the big one which now sees 114 with a new roof and the bach rewired. With Alan Cutler in charge the team worked brilliantly in the very hot conditions which included wife Christine, little Alan, big Allan (we had to be careful calling for Alan) Trevor and his friend Bob, Derek and Bobbe(ex bach 78) Jim, John, Keith,Joan and Barbara. Sunday saw the numbers drop to seven but the back had been broken by then.
Apart from Christine who worked on the roof, the other ladies keep us supplied with cool water, tea and coffee as required otherwise we would have collapsed from dehydration or heat exhaustion.The next step is the barge boards, spouting and tank stand.There's always sanding and painting to do, outside to tidy up like the old timber thats been removed and dropped, general rubbish, old iron to sort out that can be reused for the tower so any one reading this feel free to come along and help.
As a reminder we go down to 114 on the second and fourth saturday of the month. If in doubt ring Allan Godsal on 6340161 or email John at j.w.white@xtra.co.nz. Thanks again to DOC for the use of the vehicle and transporting the material down to Isslington Bay.
October 2007 Work has been a bit slow due to weather and numbers but the tankstand is finished and the north spouting is up along with one tank so we don't have to cart water over from 38 anymore. The next step is the plumbing which could be done next fortnight. The exterior walls have at least one coat of paint on them and we have started on the windows. The east side is all but finished with the surfeit machined and put up by Peter, the west wall is next. The yard has sort of been tidied up. The kitchen has one coat of paint on walls and ceiling and the missing and broken ceiling panels in bedroom 2 and the lounge have been replaced. the front of the bach will now become a priority i.e. spouting and painting windows, along with the back steps, hand rail and the back porch roof. We still have all the inside to refurbish so feel free to give us a hand and it will be much appreciated.
Bach
114 - Islington Bay.
24th October 2005 OK all you happy chappies now that the your over the long weekend its time to remember next weekend is another working bee. We should be ready to lower the Bach and hook up the strapping. We need to create an opening in the lounge ceiling to allow John access to internal wiring. We need to get all the old water tanks up from under all the old tree clippings and if possible I'll try and see if Clinton could arrange for the 3 ton trailer to be left on the flat where the generator was. Don't worry we will have work for everybody both inside and out. We will need to clean out the tower or the room under it. any rotten wood left lying around can also go on the trailer for burning. 
