There has been a lot going on and so there’s been a bit of a delay with posts. I think we have gone backwards as far as we can, though the top of the chimney stack remains a serious concern and is likely to undergo a surgical rebuild to ensure its future safety. This will also rid the structure of the unhelpful cement mortar.
The cladding has now been removed.. Where it wasn’t rotten, the cladding simply shattered and split when removed. De-nailing was a task and a half! The frame is now exposed in its entirety. The sole plate, as expected, is pretty well rotten all around, in places it has rotted away altogether though in other parts some of it is salvageable.
In a few places, clear of the ground the sole plate is good…. 
whilst in others it is less so…. 
and on the north wall, it has gone altogether! 
The box sashes were carefully removed 
but completely fell apart, consumed by rot and decay. 
Some sashes have been retained for reference 
but the sash sub-frames and window cills were well beyond any kind of serviceable repair
Now the the entire frame has been exposed we can get down to the serious task of repairing it, surgically scarfing in new timber to match the original form of construction, starting with the sole plate, the corner posts and the first floor wall plate.
Next week should see some propping and adjusting of the frame to straighten up the cottage prior to insulating and applying external structural re-cladding.
The corner posts have been poorly scarfed in the past 
whilst the first floor wall plate exhibits some unexpected rot and decay that will need attention.
Leigh Hill Progress 