The frozen ground and dry weather enabled work to continue today.

The 10th course is complete (see larger image) and the kiln ready to take the castable above the fire box arch. We just need a day where the temperature stays above 5 degrees!

Shaping the bricks to fit around the fire box arch was more time consuming than anticipated and in the process of building the 3 walls it was discovered that the arch is a little higher at the front of the kiln. 

Work on the kiln has slowed a little due to other commitments but I did manage to finish most of the 10th course of bricks today.

Cutting the bricks to form the wall above the front of the arch is time consuming but needs to be done carefully as the outer wall of the chimney will sit on this.  One more brick to go at the front and then I shall build the wall above the rear of the arch.  The space above the arch will then be ready to take the high temperature insulating castable.

As the build started around the time of the Winter Solstice I have decided to name it the Solstice kiln.

Progress was halted today for an impromtu alteration.

Although the horizontal iron bars which take force of the fire box arch are 1cm thick they have been bolted to the angle iron corner supports to prevent them from buckling.

The fire box arch was completed today (see larger image).  The Salvaged bricks used created a challenge as each differed in size slightly.  The problem was solved by using ceramic paper.

The bricks are noticeably harder than the other yellow colour fire bricks being used - I got through 3 stone cutting angle grinder discs!

 Although it might seem that not much has happened since my last news article a great deal of fiddly work has been done.

The 5th course of bricks (see larger image) is an important one as it includes the fire bars.  Behind each of these is a removeable piece of brick which will allow them to be replaced  if necessary.

The 6th course is in place although the gap between the outer and inner skin needs to be filled.

Work will now be put on hold until after the festive season.