AN OBSERVATORY FOR THE GARDEN

The roof complete and ready to go one the observatory walls

Lifting the roof onto the Observatory walls


And it's on!!


It might look finished but there's still things to do!


Dave and Trevor celebrating getting the roof on and taking a break!!


Dave making sure everything is lined up.


Now he's checking that the roof rotates smoothly and without any sound.


And it does.

 

Dave deciding to fit the accessory bay to the wall.







This is the accessory bay.......looks like a spare bath, but I've no use for a bath in the Observatory so it's definitely extra space for my kit.


Nearly fitted.





That's it, the accessory bay is in and sealed.

 

The roof motor drive box which we tested once the roof was on and running smoothly.



The inside showing the pulley to the roof shutter. The roof came painted matt black on the inside but needed retouching while the inner wall of the Observatory came in white. I've now painted the inside matt black and I now know what absolute black darkness is like when I stand inside the Observatory with the Roof Shutter and door shut!

 

Hi Sheal, if I cover the inside of the base now, with it being wet, the water wouldn't dry out, would stay inside the Observatory and the present problem of water seeping under the base from the outside wouldn't be gone. The water inside needs to evaporate and has somewhere to go, i.e: out of an ajar door and/or the open roof shutter.
I did cover the base with a tarpaulin for weeks, held down by some spare heavy cobbles, but the winds drove water under it and so the base still got wet.
The only way is for some dry weather so that I can dry out both the inside of the Observatory and the outside area of the concrete base. If I can get that I can then apply the sealant properly so that it will itself dry, set, and seal off the base.

 

What about having a drying party. Invite loads of people to come round and bring their hairdryers with them?

 

That's exactly what it is, Jiffy

 

Naah, I've never even thought about doing that, Joolz

 

Well, they've already inspected the base, Joolz.

At first they were a bit suspicious of the Observatory and circled it a few times but still wouldn't go in it. It wasn't until I kept going in and out trying to do a few jobs that they decided to put a paw in. But in the end, curiousity got the better of them!!

 

I've actually got some camouflage netting, Joolz, for using when I'm out in the country taking wildlife shots To be honest, once the Observatory is up and running there is no chance that the cats will be allowed in as I don't want cat hairs, and the like, anywhere near my Telescopes or kit. I am toying with the idea of putting large pots on the base around the Observatory though