To view the diary entries, click on the links below or scroll down the page for the most recent entries.
January 2008 (weeks one to three)Week four - 6 February 2008Week six - 20 February 2008Week eight - 5 March 2008
Week four - 6 February 2008
"We had a family trip to the Tutankhamen exhibition at the weekend and we passed the Tower by boat on route to the O2. My two boys, who are 2 and 4 years old, think this is mummy’s castle but were not particularly riveted by the scaffold that can just about be seen peeking over the top of the trees. I was pleased to see it and I am determined that it will be an attraction in itself yet!
We now have about 4 lifts of scaffold and a staircase that currently leads to nowhere. This is the current view. My week has been a week of paperwork with progress reports and financial updates to deliver. I also received a call from internal audit saying that they are coming to visit in a couple of weeks. Should be all in order and I will keep you posted on how I get on".
Week six - 20 February 2008
"With a day off on Monday as it is half term this week, I am trying to pack my working week into an even tighter schedule. The scaffold build is going well and we are almost at the top on the east side. The ravens have taken an interest in the scaffold this week and two inquisitive ravens managed to break into the compound twice at the weekend and try out the staircase. They were chased around the scaffold by the Raven Master and successful brought down without injury – the monarchy is safe for a while longer. However, they have been seen eyeing up the compound again and we are sure they are planning their next invasion.
"With a day off on Monday as it is half term this week, I am trying to pack my working week into an even tighter schedule. The scaffold build is going well and we are almost at the top on the east side. The ravens have taken an interest in the scaffold this week and two inquisitive ravens managed to break into the compound twice at the weekend and try out the staircase. They were chased around the scaffold by the Raven Master and successful brought down without injury – the monarchy is safe for a while longer. However, they have been seen eyeing up the compound again and we are sure they are planning their next invasion.
The judging panel for the Hung, quartered and drawn competition takes place later this week and by next week, we will be working on the final design layout and beginning the process of getting the sheeting printed. This will be revealed for you all to come and see by the end of March".
Week eight - 5 March 2008
The ravens are still determined to climb the scaffold and explore new territory. They particularly like to investigate at a weekend when the site is quiet and clear of the scaffolders. Last weekend, the same pair of birds who previously climbed up managed to break in again. Unfortunately, this time one of them injured a leg and the pair are now being kept in their cages this week whilst we carry out further raven protection improvements to the scaffold. Unusual challenges for the scaffolders working on our site and the future of the monarchy and the Tower saved for another week.
We also have a winner from the Hung, Quartered and Drawn competition so we are working quickly to get the final design and layout right and will be revealing the winner at the end of the month on the side of the Tower. It is now way past going home time and I must pack up and get home to bath and put my children to bed. More next week.
