Sep 21 - the end of summer

Perhaps I'm one day off, don't remember whether September 21 is the last day of Summer or the first day of Autumn, but it was another glorious day -- two in a row !

I worked at my rock wall from 7am until 2pm and by then I was pooped. It's so difficult to get at that area behind (driveway-side) the house. Ideally I'd have the cement mixer, gravel, cement and a hose all there and I'd just be pouring concrete to my heart's content. It is possible - I'd have to make a ramp and with help, get the mixer back there. I could put a tarp on the slope up to the driveway and drizzle gravel down the slope. I could carry the 88 pound bags of cement back there (that would be the easiest part).

However, that was not to be. Instead, I got the mixer out of the shed, hooked it up to the 4-wheeler (it's a small trailer setup) and moved it up to the gravel pile at the end of the driveway. I did my mixing up there and hauled the concrete down to the wall by pail. It took lots and lots and lots of trips but eventually I went through two bags of cement as I built up the wall. I made almost as many trips down to the lake with my pail and picked up rocks, lining the back of the pour with rocks rather than put a form in place -- extra weight / stability for the rock wall.

I've still got quite a ways to go. I estimate another three bags of cement, perhaps four and I'm running out of rocks (pretty face rocks, not lake rocks). I've got to make some trips along 522 with the 4-wheeler to pick rocks.

I'll have to take some pictures. It's quite irregular, which is by design or by default, take your pick. I haven't decided whether or not I'll "grout" the rock face with more concrete. If I do, it will be the same as the wall behind the wood stove inside, made with cement and "play sand". The difference, of course, is that the inside wall is flat while the outside wall has lots of projections. It cannot be grouted flat, rather it would be a matter of filling larger holes, creating more of a finished look. Doing that would also help hold the rocks in place.

So ... is this concrete work the Italian coming through or the married-to-an-Italian inherited from my Dad ? The last time the cement mixer was used was for the deck, when Dale Brooks' men did the mixing and the pouring.

After 2pm I wound up my work. I knew that it was going to rain later and didn't want to have fresh concrete ... that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it ! Actually I was running out of steam. I cleaned up but then later went out and did some more rock picking, prepping for the next pouring.

Jason, Lorraine and Kyle arrived around 5:30; Chili announced their arrival by coming over and barking at me. That got Abby barking of course and she bounded out to say "hi" to Chili. After unloading, the neighbours came over for a drink and snacks. Jason looks none-the-worse for wear on the outside, but had a shouldere operation on Monday. I understand, but didn't see, that there is a lot of bruising. He's mobile, but cannot lift that arm (left) very high, needs to give things time to heal.

Gavin and Kim will be coming up on the weekend so their place will be hopping. I'm not sure how long they are staying this time but they'll be back for Thanksgiving.

Today -- I see a clear sky. I'll have to check the weather -- I should be biking; I should be pouring concrete; I'll probably opt for the latter, now that the project is underway. Besides, I'm getting lots of exercise with this project !

Onward !