June 26th - Solums

Had to get to site early to meet the concrete truck, which was coming to fill the cavity between the block walls, and to pour onto the solums I prepared yesterday. Decided to split the 9 cubic metre load between the two, to avoid putting too much pressure on the walls and risk bursting them.
Mal turned up around 9:30 and started laying blocks, and Melvin finally arrived around 11. I was involved in childcare and did a couple of runs to and from site with supplies, and, after school, Hamish, who had been dying to help, and who very quickly picked up the rudiments of pointing under Melvin's instruction.
A second concrete truck was due before close of play, but they phoned to report a machinery breakdown. This actually suits us better, as it will give today's blockwork a chance to go off.
With a following wind, the foundations will be complete tomorrow and the carpentry can start. This will depend largely on Michelle's health. She discharged herself from hospital today, and may need quite a lot of looking after for the next week or so.

Solums 260607