My big project.

Day 55.

I overslept a touch today so ended up getting to work at 9:30. I carried on demounting the reeds from yesterday and I soon finished. I then re-printed, filled in and scanned in some of my accommodation application forms after Mum said I'd messed them up! After that Claudio explained the next move for the little accordion - replacing the right-hand key valves and regulating the keyboard. We tried to pull out the long rod that holds the keys in place but it wouldn't budge so the whole project had to be done without removing the keys! I pulled the valves off each key and then pulled the felt pad off each of them. I smoothed the valves off with sandpaper, too. 
A friend of Claudio's then arrived and a few minutes later Claudio was offering my services as an accordion player. I have my first overseas gig! I have to play 30 minutes of Scottish/Irish music. Where? I don't know. When? I don't know, but it should be in the next week. Apparently there's 100€ in it for me, too! I quickly picked up an accordion and played a bit before Stephanie rang me on Skype on my phone to thank me for a surprise I sent in the post.
We went home at 1 and I spent most of my lunch break on Skype to Stephanie again!
When I went back to work I began the main part of the project. I cleaned the rods, on which the valves are attached, with sandpaper and cleaned the slots on the valves where these rods sit. After that I cut and glued the new felt pads onto the valves. Then came the fun bit - putting the valves back! I did the outer row (white notes) first. Once the valves were in place I had to regulate the height of each key by bending the rods using a small wrench. Tomorrow I have to secure the valves in place with wax.
At 6:15 Erica arrived and Claudio, Ivana, Erica and I went to the supermarket, although Claudio went to local DIY store instead.
When we got home I cooked sausages, baked beans and potatoes before spending the evening at home.

Buona notte x