Housette update
9th August
It’s all about site preparation. Last week a big drill thingy arrived so I knew holes were on the agenda, and sure enough the digger turned up again and did one of the other jobs it does well, dig holes. Who knew? I thought they just scooped up stuff. A sleeve is wrapped around the drill and catches the earth as the drill digs the hole (someone thought that out rather well!). Then the digger lifts the drill out with the dirt in the sleeve, swings it over to the truck and dumps the dirt into the back of the truck. This went on for some time as there were 51 holes to dig. I stayed inside out of the noise and wind ya’know, let men and machines have their time …
Next day there was a lot of hammering. Poles were put in the holes and struts were erected to hold the poles in place. I’m not sure that strut is the right word but I like it, so I’ll use it (saves me getting the dictionary out). Anyway, I know a thing or two about all of this because when I was at my brother’s place in Wairarapa during Lockdown No 1, we (I might do that in caps) WE made a berry cage. Well, mainly Pat and Lynne did. But I helped wheel away dirt, hold poles while struts were nailed in and smooth concrete with a scraper thing. Quite the builder’s apprentice I was becoming! So, I knew that next thing would be the concrete. And sure enough, come Monday, there was a concrete truck pouring concrete into the holes. Now I know when it is set, they’ll come and saw the poles to make them even. Nothing worse than setting a pole that’s too short in concrete. Oh, and by the way, two lots of inspectors came to visit checking it all out before the concrete went in. I guess this is why building takes so damn long and costs so much….
The driller has dug the holes and the poles have gone in. Struts were put in place to secure the poles, then the concrete was poured in. Now we wait for the concrete to set and the poles will be trimmed. We’re getting there!
4th August
The site is changing daily now with pegs put in to mark holes for the foundation and the drilling for the holes has begun today. Keep on shining sun
It’s great to see your Housette becoming a reality. Looks like this is going to be a wave of the future, re housing. Antything we can do to cut down our footprint on the planet is a step in the right direction. Thanks for saving the lovely Nikau! Is this the same site where I visited you last Julie?
Yes, these small houses are great. I always say, the bigger the space, the more housework. And who wants that?