Oh Boy! It's Friday Again.

It's amazing how fast the week has gone. Especially since I've been paying attention to each day. Usually, that would make the week drag, but not this time.

Endher Showing the Space

This Friday morning (15 October, 2016) the concentration is on the west ramp. Adding a bit more to the block work, adding fill, and getting column forms up.

Here, Endher is showing that, when the fill is in and the columns are in place, there will still be approximately forty-inches clearance for Dianna's machine. From her perspective in the kitchen this morning, she thought it was significantly less. I had to agree with her. From up there it really was an optacular collusion (with apologies to Norm Crosby, the Master of Malaprop).

Fill Going Into Pad Box

This project has generated a huge amount of debris from previous structures, deck wall, curbings, patio pieces, chunks of old block, marl, and rocks.

Luckily, the project is tailor-made to hide almost all of that debris. It gets turned into fill,as in this photo, and gets added back in as usable material. We've actually only had to move a small amount of marl down near our street-side fence where we have several low spots.

Unloading and Smoothing Marl

Speaking of that very thing, I realized I didn't have a photo of the marl dump out by the front fence, so I grabbed my camera and went to shoot it. Luckily Daniel was there unloading another wheelbarrow of marl and smoothing some of it out, so I was able to snap him at work.

Fence Column Forms Going Up

Just like with the Mennonite house steps, the fence columns are going up. They make it look finished already, don't they?

More of the Column Forms

Here's another view of one of the forms and the steel waiting for forms to encase them.

Tight Fit to Palapa

Only one form presented a slightly dicey problem. This one. It is close to the parking palapa, but I think it's going to work out alright and so problem averted.

Looking Up the Ramp

Here we are looking up the lower part of the ramp. It's probably easier to see if you click and expand the photo - which you can do with any of the photos.

From A Distance

This is a bit of an overall shot of the ramp. I think it will improve the way the place looks, kinda 'classin' up the joint.' Y'know?

Stairs - Bottom View

I don't think I've included a photo of the circular stairs before. Well, maybe when I first brought it home from Eric Burson's place out in Progesso. Anyway, here the stairs are in all their blue glory.

One thing it doesn't have yet is treads for the stairs themselves. I'm thinking of maybe getting some mahogany or something and having pieces cut to drop into each stair. maybe Varathane them or something else to protect them. Should look cool when done.

Pouring the Ramp Fence Columns

Back to the columns. They've started pouring the columns. They'll do half today, remove the forms and set them up on the remaining ones, and probably pour those, who knows, maybe tomorrow?

Smoothing the Column Cap

Part of the pour is running a stick down the length of the column to shake out air pockets and then smooth out the column cap. After the form is removed, then there will still be a bit more work putting an angled cap on top of the current cap. Gives it that truly finished look.

View of the Whole Project

Lastly, I didn't add this photo till the morning of the 15th. The reason is I spied the shot yesterday evening after I let Nelson out of his daytime hideaway in the basement of the Mennonite house.

I thought it gave a nice overall view of the whole project. Maybe it helps to integrate the separate images with the whole.

Thor's or Jupiter's Day

A good title for today 13 October, 2016. I didn't come up with it on my own. Credit due to Wikipedia, the fount of all knowledge, correct or not, on the intertubes. Besides, Thor, or Thunder, is doubly fitting. Lately, when we've had thunderstorms, we've had humdingers. None in the forecast for today.

Footings for West Ramp

West side footings are ready to go. Unfortunately, the 'machine', the cement mixer has other ideas. It's transmission (I'm guessing here) when the bowl is tilted over, sounds like it's trying to strip every tooth it has in its gearing. Not a good sign.

So, consequently, the guys are mixing using the old tried and true method. At least they're not out in the road doing it.

Block Work on East Ramp

This in on the east side ramp. Footings are in place, and the slope looks like it's set well for the lower part of the ramp.

Concrete Going In On West Ramp

Jumping around now. This is back on the west side. Concrete is going into the trenches.

Slope of Lower Ramp Looking Good

The lower slope of the east ramp is looking good. The upper slope still has that worrisome hump in it. I'm keeping a close eye on it to make sure it slopes correctly.

Footing's Been Autographed

Our children decided to leave their autographs in the concrete. They must have done this as soon as I set them loose from the pen last night. I didn't notice their handiwork till this morning.

West Side Footing Almost Done

West side footings are almost done. Still to do is the footing for the circular staircase.

Glass Block For Column?
- Photo Courtesy of Mario Zetina

Mario sent us this picture of available block at whatever store he visited yesterday. I don't know if the display at Creative Tile here in Corozal or Boxito (pronounced bo-shee-doh) or somewhere else in Chetumal.

We're thinking of selecting the solid blue (2nd up, bottom right) or the clear with sparkly (top right). Remember, the tile is going to go in the space next to the waterfall between the pump house and the column.

East Ramp is Looking Like a Ramp

The east ramp is really starting to look like a ramp should. I mentioned to the guys that I was concerned about the hump that is still in place on the upper part. They assured me it would be correct when they pour. I hope so.

Plastering Waterfall Area Continues

A little bit of plastering continues on the waterfall area. It will be interesting to see that all come together.

Boxing the Circular Stair Pad

A lot of progress on the pad for the circular staircase. It will be fun to see the stairs go up and be usable.

West Ramp Forming Up

Along with the pad progress, there's a lot of progress for the west ramp.

Stairway Pad Ready For Next Step

Here's a shot after the workers left. Pad box is ready for the next step, filling in. 8' x 8' will be plenty big enough for the circular stairway.

Showing Column Steel

Here's a shot of the west ramp showing the newly installed steel for the fence columns, which will be the same as the ones they did for the Mennonite house stairs. Should look great.