Saturday (washing day according to the scriptures) coming up. Already clouding over and predicted thunderstorms.....ah well!

One glimmer of hope for MANkind - Purchased 4 lengths of heavily painted wall panelling (Kauri pine 25mm thick) at the dump for $1 a piece. Cut it up to make a coffee table top identical to the one purchased for a fortune in the other room. Put the paint stripper on and started cleaning it up BUT then stopped and thought- perhaps rubbing it completely back to the beautiful timber will not be appreciated. So i stopped right there.
Sought professional advice and was told 'yes, leave some of that paint there (probably lead based and babies will chew it in years to come - ed.) but I think you have rubbed it back too much already.

But I did stop- yes there's hope.

Carry Pine