It shrinks and cracks during that time? I ask cos I have this insane
idea of trying a small bit of lime plastering one day later in the
year. I've never plastered anything.

Yes it will need a light spray and to be consolidated with a float a
couple of times. Lime plaster needs CO2 and water to set so you
mustn't let it dry out completely in the first week or so. Equally you
mustn't drown it or the air won't get into the pores


I was reading up on making the stuff, and I gather quicklime is whats
wanted, slaking it yourself. I have some hydrated lime here - is it
possible to put it in the oven to dry it out? Or is that nuts? I
ask because I know lime based dehumidifiers can be recharged by oven
heating the wet lime.

Ignore quicklime. Buy lime putty from Jewsons and mix it 1:3 with
sharpish sand. I think there is a uk.d-i-y lime mortar FAQ

Anna


--
~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England
|""""| ~ Plaster conservation, freehand modelling in lime
/ ^^ \ // Overmantels, pargeting etc
|____| www.kettlenet.co.uk 01359 230642