We (meaning Janice) have finished packing everything except what we need for the next half day. We are just under the weight limits, according to my trusty suitcase scales, so all is well, in spite of numerous books on French Mennonites being brought back.
For four of our five weeks here, some men have been making repairs to the Centre's roof. The building is over 100 years old, and even some earlier repairs of 30+ years ago needed attention. The society overseeing the building decided that the roof had to be addressed this year, before water damage became serious. This was a truly impressive undertaking, one dear to my heart, because we have had to repair the roof at the Menno Simons Centre, Vancouver, repeatedly!
First, scaffolding had to be constructed all across the front of the house in order to protect pedestrians when old tiling and zinc was being removed.
Part of the roof was flat enough to walk on, but the back (south) side was quite steep.
Scaffolding with ladders was required at the back, giving access to the roof.
I was able to climb an interior ladder and take photos through a skylight. Here, the old deteriorated zinc has been removed and new wood installed. We liked the two workers and provided coffee, juice and cookies for them daily.
After they were finished and everything had been inspected by the architect and boss, I took photos of the finished product. Looks like it should last a while.
A number of skylights needed to be replaced. The new ones are perfect, transforming the former attic into a very bright working space.
She actually knows where everything is!
This will have to be my final post for this trip. We will go out to eat this evening since the fridge is cleaned out. The taxi is reserved for 7:00 a.m. We will fly from Paris to Frankfurt to Vancouver tomorrow, a reasonably long flight but it should be pleasant on Lufthansa.
Look forward to talking with you soon, with love from us both,
Evan
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