Damp, tried everything, what now?

[FamilyWiggs]

I don't think my mates instrument went to mars this time, and I'm not sue there will be a next time but it will be useful for something I'm sure, perhaps this is a new market.

There's a thing doing the rounds on t'internet at the moment, don't know if it is acurate, but it suggeststhat the lost tax revenues in the US from religious organisations' allowances is in the order of $87bn per year. That would fund a new Mars rover every fortnight. For eternity.

Hard science, or tax breaks for religion? It's a toughie....

Meanwhile it seems Zebra has finally flipped! Someone call a vet? :wink:

 

[LadyArowana]

I'm fairly sure at least the educated would have known about zebras in 1600 or 1700, though might have had a bit of a funny idea about them.
.

We have prints ( of elephants, not zebras ) from books of that era and by the later date some are quite realistic, so they must have been based on sketches of the actual animal. Early ones look like they have been done from a written description and are more of an amalgamation of several familiar animals.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Interesting. The spice route to the Malabar Coast and India ( busy since pretty much the beginning of civilisation, seemingly) would certainly have exposed medievals to tales of elephants. But I don't know if there were zebras in that bit of Africa, so I think tales of them would have come along in a very Chinese whispers kind of a way.

 

[Zebra]

Not sure about that zebra carriage. I think that was very ill-advised of the zebras concerned to enter into that arrangement, just think where it might lead. Horses did it, and now look at them! Servitude. Tut tut.
Though the practice didn't catch on. Perhaps they were wise enough to just do it really badly. Clever.
Period vacuum cleaners, that'll keep Henry amused for a while. So would one of those Mars robot things, that'd make a great companion for him. Bit expensive though.

 

[Keithj]

Mediaeval elephants? Despite Hannibal's efforts ("What do you get if you cross a mountain with an elephant?"), there wasn't much awareness of the heffalump in those days.
I have a fascinating Old HIgh German bestiary text here (stop giggling). It talks about the "Helfant" and makes some surprising suggestions about what it is and does.

I suppose you could get your elephant to blow on your damp patch, or teach it to lime render.

 

[Zebra]

teach it to lime render.

Oh no, could you imagine the mess?

 

[Gareth Hughes]

teach it to lime render.

Oh no, could you imagine the mess?

That would be pebbledash.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I'm fairly sure at least the educated would have known about zebras in 1600 or 1700, though might have had a bit of a funny idea about them.
.

We have prints ( of elephants, not zebras ) from books of that era and by the later date some are quite realistic, so they must have been based on sketches of the actual animal. Early ones look like they have been done from a written description and are more of an amalgamation of several familiar animals.

Zebra (and in typing that, I suddenly see what an exotic name it is) were certainly known in Europe in the 16th century. Rhinoceri, however, though there was one in Portugal in 1515, did rather rely on the Chinese Whispers method to get their image into the popular press of the day (I assume "Hello" back then was published as "Prithee sire")
Bit of a cellulite problem there, saith our fashion correspondent.

 

[LadyArowana]

Zebra (and in typing that, I suddenly see what an exotic name it is) were certainly known in Europe in the 16th century. Rhinoceri, however, though there was one in Portugal in 1515, did rather rely on the Chinese Whispers method to get their image into the popular press of the day (I assume "Hello" back then was published as "Prithee sire")

Elephants were sometimes given as diplomatic gifts by rulers of places where they were either indiginous or not uncommon as imported exotics. Charlemagne received one from the Caliph of Baghdad around 800. Sadly they usually didn't thrive because they were fed on completely inappropriate things.

The journey would require frequent stops ( the elephant had to walk from whichever port it arrived at ) and because it was such an spectacle for the local people evidence may remain even now. The "Hotel Elephant" in Bressanone N. Italy is one such holdover, marking the place that the elephant given by the King of Portugal to the Archduke of Austria stopped. The elephant had started it's journey in one of the Kings Indian possessions. The hotel has a wonderful mural commemmorating the event http://cms.consisto.net/concms/aspupload/hotelelephant_com/editor/12230/geschichte_en.pdf



Rembrandt made a superb study of an elephant around 1627, and it is so well observed that it must have been drawn from life. Now in the collection of the British Museum.

Elephant lesson over.... I will now return you to your original programming...... unless anyone wants lots and lots more pictures of all sorts of elephant memorabilia ancient and modern :lol:

 

[Zebra]

It took me 10 days to insert dpc and dpm in a soft red brick built outhouse ( 6.5 x 3.5 m) which I eventually converted into a office/study.
Middi

Three months and counting. Over halfway round now....

 

[JoceAndChris]

Presumably you're working professionally as well? I think you're storming through! You'll get there!

 

[johnobirches]

Following this thread with interest Zebra.
Have you noticed any improvement in the bits you've done?
Wishing you strength for the final stretch.

 

[Zebra]

Oh yes, the bits I've done are dry now. Much wetter beneath the dpc but much drier above.
Yes, am working too, when I can't avoid it! Would rather be doing stuff at home!

 

[Zebra]

Galloping towards the finishing line now. Got to get it done by Monday, as my brother is coming to dig out the floor and put in the dpm and insulation.
Only one corner to go, and to somehow get underneath the timber arch that was put in in the 60s between the old and new parts of the house.
Nearly there!

 

[Zebra]

For those who may be interested, here is a photo of my brother and I, taken at a party in the summer. I'm the one on the right, obviously...

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol:

Keep up the good work Zebs; well done you! How satisfying!

 

[Zebra]

T'is done. DPC in all the way round. DPM, insulation and concrete are in.
One more roof to finish, windows to glaze and we're in the dry!
Stairs now not attached, and going up and down on a ladder, but you all do that, yeah?

 

[MdB]

Stairs now not attached, and going up and down on a ladder, but you all do that, yeah?

Of course... It is required.

 

[Zebra]

Just to let you all know, we are having a very wet spell again, and the walls are dry!! Much warmer too. Very happy. Thanks again Middi for your step-by-step instructions, which gave me the courage to do it!!

 

[angrybird]

woohoo! thats great news it feels soooooo good to have dry walls doesn't it?