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.

Wednesday, Again

Man, it seems like the week cycled through its days quickly. Here we are back at Wednesday 12 October, 2016. Granted, it's a week later, but still.

As you cycle through each day, it's easy to see that a lot has been occurring. The project is definitely moving out of the very heavy work stage of the project into more of the finish and make pretty stages.

High Part of Ramp Roughed In

The east side ramp is starting to look more like a ramp. Still has a ways to go.

West Ramp Footing Trench

On the west side, work is progressing, but it's a few days behind the east side one. Here, they're working on the outer footing trench. Might cast that this afternoon.

High Part Getting Closer

 Here's the east side ramp again after a couple of hours and a bit more work. I'm still going to watch closely to make sure the ramp slope stays in tolerances. From here, it looks like there's a slight bow in the middle.

Plastering Pump House Door Opening

Work on the pump house is progressing. Plastering inside is well underway, as is the door opening. I think it won't be long before the door and window louvers are back in place.

Farm House Deli Goodies

Shortly before lunch I had to go into town to take care of some business, and to do some shopping.

I went to Roshni's for some staples that only they seem to carry, Family for some laundry detergent that only they seem to carry with any regularity, A&R for a couple of small skillets (out, but 'soon come'), Evergreen for pharmaceuticals, New World for a crate of Belikin (why drive all the way to the Bowen and Bowen distributor? New World only charges $1.05 more than B&B), and a couple of other places. Just your average shopping trip in Corozal.

The last place I stopped at was The Farm House Deli, part of Ian Anderson's Caves Branch growing conglomerate of outstanding cheeses, meats, baked goods, and a bunch of other stuff. They're going to be doing this every two weeks. Yea! Don't know if it will be at the House of Culture all the time or not.

It was on the front lawn under an awning at the Corozal House of Culture. Worth the stop. I got a pound of hard Parmesan cheese, a pound of Polish salami, and a loaf of rye bread. That made a nice finish to the shopping trip.

Productive Lunch Time Too

All the workers take part in lunch time fishing. Usually, they catch small pan-size ones, but today, a nice sized barracuda will be making someone's supper very satisfying.

Pouring Ramp Footings

After lunch, work proceeds on several fronts. Pouring the east ramp outer footings. Probably tomorrow, we'll see the ramp taking near final shape. Should be fun.

Plastering Pump House Doorway

Work is proceeding with the pump house. Here the door opening is being plastered. I peeked and the window opening is getting the same. Shouldn't be much time till both are installed.

Plastering Inside

Plastering is proceeding apace inside the pump house as well.

Footing Trenches for West Ramp

On the west ramp, the trenches have been dug and rebar laid. Concrete should be poured for this sometime tomorrow. The raised PVC pipe isn't part of that. It's our temporary water line for the house. It's soon to be re-routed.

Footing for Circular Stair Pad

Part of the west ramp project is the footing for the pad for the circular staircase. That's what this is. It will be the same height has the top landing of the ramp.

Start of a New Work Week

this is the start of another week. The project is continuing.

Rough Coat Plastering Continues

The rough coat is, bit by bit, becoming the smooth coat, and that will be topped with the colored concrete texture on the new part of the house. The roof edge will be the blue trim.

Footing Trench for the Ramp

The accessibility ramp will be large. It's track is going to be 3'6" wide, so that makes it about 7' wide overall. and with about a 12' run (for ADA compliance), so it will be a rather large structure. We're going to have the same railings for it that we had them put up for the Mennonite house. That'll look cool, and will also help unify everything.

Footing Trench Has A Good Start

The ramp will have a sort of double footing, since it will be folded over on itself. If you're confused, all will be made clear eventually.

Cut Line Shows Width of Ramp

The cutline in the concrete (where the dust is) is, more or less, the total width of the ramp. The ramp on the other side of the deck, at the parking area, will be a mirror image of this one.