Surprise Visitor

As we were all loitering about in the house and garden, we were suddenly greeted by Kobayashi-san, the 79 Year old builder who thatched our roof last Year.

He walked into the house and was awed by the great changes that have taken place in the meantime. During his young years, Kobayashi-san actually stayed many times in this house as apprentice thatcher to the previous owner's father. Tears were about to fall when he commented that the house was rescued, something he thought not possible at the time.



Later we talked business - envisaged future projects and improvements. However, when it came down to details, I let junior handle it. Perhaps he will be a lawyer when he grows up, or is he giving architectural instructions?

Surprise: Thatching already started!

I received a surprise call from our carpenter. He informed me that Kobayashi-san, the thatcher had already started to work on the roof without telling us! So immediately I organised a car and drove up to the house, equipped with photo and video. Luckily I had a chance to capture some finishing steps of fixing the roof.

During the last days, he and one helper lifted up the old straw, and inserted new bushels underneath, starting from the bottom, and working their way higher up. The straw was temporarily fixed, and then the proper needling started:




1. Get up the roof. Despite his over 70 years of age and painful hip, Kobayashi-san moves easily around on the roof, using some wooden poles for support.



2. Ready your tools. Kobayashi-san has cable for fixing the straw bushels, as well as a long bamboo needle with him.



3. Thread the cable through the eye of the needle.





4. Thrust the needle through the bushels to the inside.





5. A helper inside takes out the cable, wraps it round the wood, and returns it to the needle



6. After the needle is pulled out again, the cable is cut and tied.



It was a nice warm, sunny day and so I could enjoy being up high on the roof to take photos.



The South face is nearly completed, only a few adjustments needed on the top, as well as a final trimming, and paint job on the top metal structure.