Hello again folks. It's good to be back. Hope that's not a groan I hear
across the Pacific ... oh, it's just the thunder outside. That's okay then!

Seriously, new computer installed at home, and 1 hour into the free month
trial with AOL.COM - we'll see what they are like before moving onto the
next free trial in April!!!

I've missed the mailbox full of messages from you all, but I have been
saving up some queries.

I'm involved with presenting a seminar on materials conservation for an
audience of heritage advisors and heritage architects.  I'm working with a
colleague on a presentation on steel windows, and giving one myself on
slate and terracotta roof tiles.  Mainly information type presentations -
what are the key issues, what are the key problems, where can I get more
info.

I'm fairly well on top of the slate side of things (what with Preservation
Brief 29, The Slate Book, The Slate Repair Bible, Slated for Preservation
website, the ASTM standards and my own background ... although if anybody
had burning issues to discuss with me, I'd be happy to hear about them).
The terracotta roof tiles is probably a local issue, although I have
obtained Preservation Brief 30. Ideas on how you match old terracotta roof
tiles would be good, especially if the tiles themselves have reached the
stage where they are brittle and all need to be replaced.  A good history
reference might not go astray either.

Steel windows are tougher.  Again, seen Preservation Brief 13, and visited
a few websites ... but there isn't so much out there.  Does anybody know
whether there are any suppliers of old steel window sections?  US or UK (I
know you people don't know anything about Australia!).

Anybody got stories to tell about repair and conservation of steel
windows.  Good or bad.

My deadline is about a fortnight or so away - presentations are in early
April.

Look forward to receiving your collected wisdom.  Finished items might be
web-published in due course ... if not, I'm sure we can find a way to
publish parts of them via BP, or at least make them available.

Cheers

david