As our storm-battered shores quiet for one moment, we find ourselves renewed by a heartening stretch in the days..

A blue sky takes us by surprise – before it vanishes we whack a mix of lime into a bucket and leap onto the roof.

A generous bed of dry-ish mortar is the perfect companion for these terracotta ridge tiles

Lime provides great grip – it’s putty like texture is easy to work with on a gradient.

Securely pointed with half an inch between and below  –  gales have no chance of catching.

Stephen stays up there until after dark – while I point between floor flags by touch alone.