Up, up and away!

It's really coming out of the ground now.

But it's a real lesson in how not to install Stepoc blocks.

It's also the end of the concrete works. (hopefully) Tomorrow sees the arrival of the timber frame installers who will let me know if the house will fit.

Do you think I'm nervous? You bet I am.

It's been a while

Ok, I know I haven't updated the blog for a while. I should have as a lot has happened recently and next week promises a whole lot more.

The rainwater tank is in.

Here's the first block above ground. It's not much, but it's a huge step forward for this project.

But look at this, more blocks

all dressed in their Visqueen (and the soakaway crates waiting to be installed)

And the dodgiest Stepoc wall in the world. (But it's up and hasn't fallen over)

What a beautiful day

Not a cloud in the sky. Warming up nicely. No wind. Perfect weather for working outside.

All you have to do is turn up.

That's right, another no show by the builders.

Spot the Builder

Here's a little game for you.

Spot the Builder

Give up?


So do I!
There is no builder. Again.

Back garden.

This is our back garden!

Spoil heap gone (almost) Concrete poured, shutters struck and light at the end of a very very very long tunnel.

I think this is my favourite photo so far.

The last slabs are cast

but only just.

The biggest pump we've had yet arrived this morning to install the smallest quantity of concrete yet. No I don't understand why either.

It was so big that it couldn't fit on the site, so with (sort of) permission he drove around the back of the site

and then broke down on my neighbours land.

Then my contractors next moment of madness was to have the floor insulation delivered (about 6 weeks before it's needed on site) This is only half of the feather light insulation which will have to withstand the wind and somehow not blow away for the next 6 weeks.

So far this week (and it's only wednesday) is turning out to be one thing after another.

They did get another pump, one that would fit on site, this afternoon. They should have finished the concrete tby now, but I'll check in the morning.

Tomorrow they remove the spoil from site, but I guess I'll belive it when I see it.

It's Tuesday, it's concrete day!

Whats's this? Not ready for concrete?

That's right, concrete has been postponed until tomorrow.
Thought it was too good to be true to actually meet a programme date.

Roll on Wednesday, the new concrete day.

Smash, stick and tank

Breaking out concrete is not what we wanted to see, especially when..

... it's your first (and only) reinforcement cage.

That's right, that's my handy work wer're seeing again here.

And glueing your concrete back together something else you don't want to see.

I'm just impressed they've done it in accordance with the drawing.

And finally, in accordance with the agreed programme I had the rainwater tank delivered to site. The only problem is that ...

You guessed it....

They're not on programme.

More digging

The water supply pipe is in, the new riser  back filled and the reinforcement will be installed this week

and finally the final excavations are dug for the car port walls.