Our admirably well organised and skilful builders continue to make steady progress with our new Lady's Guest House, to be called St. Joseph's.

The first picture here shows large pre-made concrete slabs being lowered into place by crane above the Basement Floor.

Then you see the Basement as it now appears. This area is to be for monastic, rather than guest use. Most of this considerable space will be used to house both library and archive: but there will be room here also for an office, and a small gymnasium, with shower and toilet.

The third and fourth pictures here show work beginning, to create the first guest house floor, set as it is on the concrete slabs covering the basement.

Then you see a North side view, taken in mid-April, of this first floor wall. This is just outside St. Benedict's guest house for men.

Finally a view of the site, also taken in mid-April, from the South. The building is here somewhat obscured by two levels of scaffolding. It's possible though to glimpse the stone window surrounds, built into the main structure of concrete blocks.

A great deal of the builder's craft is hidden from the beholder's eye. But, working from the inside outwards: fastened onto an inner concrete wall is a layer of thick insulating material. Then a substantial air gap is left, as an effective bar against any creeping damp. Then comes another, outer, concrete wall. Then, attached to that, the beautiful stone facing. So that makes five layers in all.

Water running down the North front of the building will drain through a deep layer of pebbles, whence it will be taken up by special pipes, and from there carried efficiently away to the drains below.

To the South: large septic tanks have now been installed. Also an area is set out, concealed from public gaze, for solar panelling. It is hoped this will contribute significantly to the energy needs of the building.