Roger McKinstry finally finished what he started in December 2006. He completed the 18,000 piece jigsaw puzzle in February 2009. The puzzle is a life-size depiction of the historic 1455 altarpiece at St. Columba Church in Cologne, Germany. But it did not come in that easy. Roger managed to finish the puzzle in July but he still had two pieces which were missing as well. He just couldn't find the two pieces – one for the animal trough of the Adoration of Magi and the other belonged to the archway for the same scene. The puzzle manufacture promised to replace any missing pieces for the $137 puzzle but for Roger's luck, the puzzle was no longer made.

But in August, Roger searched as he removed the plastic milk crates and wood supports so that he could assemble the puzzle while standing and there he found the animal trough piece he had been looking for. But still there it was not over. There was one more piece left and time was running about. The one day just by pure accident, while he was cleaning the basement storage room, he moved a television set and there it was staring at his face the last piece he had been looking for. Finally he completed the 18,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. An achievement I would say. I mean who would spend two and a half years doing a jigsaw puzzle!

[Gazetteonline]