During the week, one of our number took some time to fetch a new sheet of hardwood ply for the door, so we had plenty to do this Saturday. This was funded directly by your donations, as were several litres of paint we have lined-up, ready for warmer weather. Thank you!
The process for this second door from Hotchley Hill is much the same as the first - save for the curious fact that the slot to accommodate the lock was much smaller on this door than on the north one. We suppose this must be because the lock was fitted entirely within the hole in the door - and not morticed at all. This is neither secure nor consistent with the north door. Consequently it was decided to carefully drill- and file-out the slot until the lock would fit through.
We then cut the plywood to make a new upper panel for the door, primed both sides, and the steel plate that will face it. The stubs of old rivets were drilled out, ready to screw the board into place, and a new steel panel to cover the inside of the lock-hole cut to size. We gently reamed-out the hinges to make it easier to hang, too.
Next to do is fastening the plates over the lock hole, and the upper panel in place. We propose to paint only those parts of the door which will be inaccessible when fitted. The rest can be painted on a warm spring afternoon. What could be more pleasant?
Just on the other side of the inspection pit, those who staff the cabin at Asher Lane will be pleased to hear we are addressing your request for a tea cupboard! Starting with a weathered-but-serviceable specimen, we used off-cuts of the same plywood sheet to make some shelves, and found some beading to make an edge around the top. These are glued & screwed in place, leaving only a clean-up and paint required before it can be fitted.
With luck, we can have the south door ready to hang by the end of next Saturday. I would even suggest getting it in place the one after, but that might be tempting fate...