Saturday

A Saturday work-fest 15 October, 2016. For some reason, today has seemed slow, to Dianna and myself. Not sure why. Maybe we didn't sleep all that good or something. Who knows? Anyway, here's what's been happening today.

Ramp Columns Curing

First off, the forms came off the columns as soon as the crew started working. Nice looking columns too.

New Forms Up and Ready

Next thing, those forms were put in place and braced for a pour this afternoon. Then the guys moved quite a few more wheelbarrow loads of fill into the ramp walkway and the stair pad. Shortly after lunch, they filled the three forms with concrete.

Electrical Work in the Pump House

While that was going on, Bani, the electrician, was busy wiring up the pump house for lighting. I need to ask him if he can put a porch light just outside the door too. I just did that very thing. Light switch and box will be going in.

Next Forms Already Filled

Here's the forms I mentioned. They're already filled. Mario came by. He and Endher talked it over and decided there was too much of a span in the ramp itself, so they're going to add two more columns. That'll work good.

Endher Making Two More Forms

Here's Endher fabricating the additional forms. I'm always amazed at what they can get done with just a few hand and power tools, oh yes, and dull saw blades and drill bits. Why buy a new blade, it still cuts?

It's Saturday That Counts

We always say 'TGIF', but for most workers here in Belize, it's really Saturday that marks the end of the workweek. So, it really is Saturday that counts, at least today, the first of October.

Final Two Column Forms Going Up

The last two column forms are going up. The guys are making every effort to save the Areca palm fronds as much as they can.

Final Nailing Together

The column form against the northwest corner of the pump house is quite complicated to assemble. It's not square and has either four or five sides to it. It's all just about ready for the pour.

Four On the West Side

Columns to the west of us.

Three on the East Side

Columns to the east.

Four on the North Side

And columns to the north.

Putting Chain Together

Not only are the guys assembling the odd-shaped column for the pump house, but they have to join it to the pump house roof chain, which is what they are doing here.

Pump House Corner - Complicated

Assembling the form down at ground level is no less a challenge.

Joining the Chain to Column Form

Another view of them joining the column with the chain form.

The Forest is Growing

The forest of sticks is growing. These are the supports used to hold up the roof form while the roof is cast.

The Forest Canopy

Here's the roof form. It's almost done. There'll be plenty more sticks before the actual casting occurs.

Indir Measuring for the Beam

While all that was going on, Indir was going around to each column and marking the top line for positioning the beam forms. That will start to happen on Monday.

The Big Boy Came to Visit

We had quite a treat this afternoon. The big boy of the local pack of iguanas, came by for a visit. He's about six feet from stem to stern.
Luckily, I had a batch of old bananas still on hand in the fridge that I could give him. The chill of the fridge has kept them in a still edible (to iguanas, at least) form. They're black on the outside, but no mold or anything. Anyway, he was happy and began munching on them as soon as I tossed them down for him.
I went back and got my camera to take a photo of him. He's been around enough that he knows I won't chase him or anything like that, so he had no problem with me getting about two feet away from him to snap this photo. He's just a superb example of iguanahood, isn't he?
So, it's now, the weekend. The workers have left and won't be back till Monday. Quiet at last. Enjoy your weekend. Eat a banana.