Deep inside the north curtain wall, the builders have been steadily working away in the chapel area. Readers may remember that, at some point in Mingary's history, this had been infilled in order to strengthen the wall once cannon had been introduced as a siege weapon.
The transformation has been remarkable. When I first entered the room, water was dripping from the ceiling, and, despite the steel props everywhere, it felt as if, at any moment, the whole roof would collapse on us.
No such fears today! Reinforced concrete lintels, held in place by lengths of steel with L-shaped cross section which have been bolted to the walls, have been manoeuvred in to hold up the ceiling. Above this is a layer of damp-proof membrane so, although there are still one or two drips coming through, the place is drying out.
The outer wall, which had been severely damaged by cannon fire, has been rebuilt and pointed. Huge chunks of oak now form the lintel above the unique double lancet window. The space is now almost ready to be transformed into its modern use, as two bathrooms.
Wow. They are almost to the point where you could show before and after pictures of the incredible work in certain areas like those chapel windows, that if I remember correctly, looked like rubble with a hole for sunlight to come thru when the chapel was first cleared out. As always, very nice pictures. And It's nice to meet the the workmen, and know their names. That's a lot of talent working in one spot.
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