Monday, April 24, 2006

The Gate

Below is a bad photoshop rendering of the front gate at the courtyard. This wall is to be constructed from the large concrete blocks that were cut for windows and door. They are many and are in the way so this is the best thing I could think of to do with them. They will be "dry stacked" and trimmed to square. Each course will be pinned with rebar drilled through and leveled, if required, with a shovel of mortar. The beam will be peeled cedar like the porch posts and will serve to give lateral support for the weight of the gates. The gates will be built from cedar tongue and grove and have a 32" door on one side for access to the courtyard.

photoshop of future


photoshop of future
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

The Corner Post Footings are Ready

Working with the tractor and moving LOTS of rocks gave me this nice flat

courtyard. The pavers are there and ready to be laid. The cornerpost and

the bunker side of the gate will be next.

Tractor work

Not buying a tractor is one of the best moves I have made. For two hundred bucks I was able to rent a back-hoe (as opposed to just a 6th street one) and move all the dirt and rocks that I could stand. The West side was leveled and a large hole filled where the sewer exited the slab. The courtyard was dressed and leveled and all of the concrete blocks that came out of the door and windows were moved in preparation for stacking up and making one side of the courtyard.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Roadhouse


Roadhouse
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Ready to start


Ready to start
Originally uploaded by neillsmth.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Easter

Time for this months assault on the mountain. I have reserved a tractor/backhoe and now the fun will begin. First I will use the bucket to mow the weeds and pick up the rocks that are everywhere. There is a large hole on the West side where the sewer comes out of the bunker and I will level this side before moving on to the digging.
Footings are next, both for the courtyard wall and the false front that will be the West wall. Should take most of the day Saturday and even part of Sunday if I find rocks. All the rolling stock gets relocated and the place will begin to look like mountain top villa, which it is, and the outdoor structures will start up.
Barbara is assigned the job of painting the spiral stairs. I think she plans to sit in a bucker of paint and slide down the handrail. Anyhow that will make it look great.
This trip Pepi will go with us. G'maw dosen't let her go normally so we are taking them both. I'll have plenty of pictures to post after this trip.