We started the day where we left off and carried on stripping the walls. After half an hour or so we got bored and decided to change jobs, tackling the bulging fireplace instead. Once we were decked out in face masks and goggles we started exploring the fireplace very tentatively, using the hole which was already there. We removed the temporary bung (screwed up kitchen roll) and it was like a dam being opened! Years of soot and dirt and other debris finally got a chance to make a bid for freedom. Thankfully we were prepared and caught most of it in a box!
Once that was cleared we threw caution to the wind and started hacking away at the old plaster, in the middle at first and then gradually widening it. We were a bit alarmed to find bricks behind the plaster which were held together with expanding foam rather than mortar but they weren't load bearing and seemed sturdy enough so we just left them.
After a full mornings worth of plaster removal we started to work upwards and were very pleased to discover a sturdy stone lintel in place! As we gradually removed more and more plaster, two distinct fireplaces started to emerge: first the most recent-working fire; a small grill in the centre of the second much larger and more traditional open fireplace. It was great news as we ideally wanted an open fireplace with a log burner in the centre and this made it seem a lot more achievable!
Once the fireplace was cleared we went back to clearing the paper off the walls and finished for the day having for clear walls.
Pub time...
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