A quick update.....we're still pointing!
Currently we are up to the dining room return wall back into the sitting room. Although I'm not actually the one wielding the mortar gun, it's going quicker, and better, than we first thought.
The weather is also on our side and we've had pretty good weekends at it so far.
PS - I also have my first pumpkin growing! This, for many reasons, is a very exciting discovery.