LIVING OFF GRID

This blog is about our travels in our solar powered "Airstream" and living off grid, in our passive solar home, near Bancroft, Ontario, Canada.

If you have any questions send us a comment; we love to hear from our readers.
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Thursday, 8 September 2011

Stone Slinger

The stone slinger came to town, and when the dust had settled the job was done.


This machine can throw the stone 50 feet and the operator can direct the chute 180*

Looking down the south wall. Note the dimpled waterproof membrane attached to the wall.

Up close.

Sometimes we just need to sit and enjoy what is happening.

This was a bit tricky, a very tight turn on a slope, but he managed and got the job done.

Once the inspector has approved this work I will use the bobcat to backfill around the foundation. The boxes are forms for the concrete piers which will support the cedar deck.

Enjoy your weekend and I'll have new photos on Monday.

Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Durisol Delivery

Yesterday we received the second shipment of Durisol Blocks. Seven hundred blocks were delivered with a total weight of over 35, 000 lbs. Imagine the weight of our house when we add all the concrete and rebar.

Unfortunately the truck couldn't get into our site so we had to bring each skid in a 1/2 km.by bobcat and hitchiker; down the road and up the driveway, 24 times and by 10 a.m. we were done. (of course we started at 7)

Difficult to see but we had no accidents just took our time.

Stacked, stored and ready when needed.

The walls have been parged and today we will tar and apply a waterproof membrane along with the drainage line around the foundation.

The interior area of the foundation was cleared of all construction items, ready for the compact fill later this week.

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Let the Games Begin

Finally after all the politicians had given a speech the crowd could enjoy the loggers competition.

The first event was the tree cutting for accuracy. Each logger had to cut a pole so it fell closest to a peg he placed in the ground. After that was measured by the judges and the stump was checked for a level cut then the logger had to estimate a 10 foot section of trunk and cut it without measuring. If you were off by 6 inches or more you were out of the competition.

They even had a girl logger competing. First she notched the side towards the peg.

Next she cut the back side and let the tree fall towards the peg.

The crowd enjoyed the competition ..........................

especially watching the trees fall for accuracy .....................

another favourite was building a pyramid with logs using a loader, this was not as easy as it looks.

Monday, 5 September 2011

Loggers Games

After the parade the crowd went up to watch the loggers compete.

First was the free entertainment, local talent, very good ....................

then a chance for Mary to wander the grounds and check out the booths .......... (can you see Mary in the jacket?) ..............................

this old-timer was selling axe handles he made himself ....................

of course the local MPPS (politicians) had to get up and use the microphone ......................................

then the loggers gathered on the infield for the games .............
Tomorrow I'll post more pictures.

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Hastings Highland Loggers Games

We are enjoying the flavour of the "north" country especially the logging trucks and mills so evident in this area. Yesterday's highlights were the loggers games held in Maynooth.

Every gathering needs a parade so at 10 am the highway was shut down and the parade began................

complete with a marching band (I love the bag-pipes) ...............

logging trucks ................................................

floats ............................................

more floats (all related to logging) ........................

babies in big trucks ..........................

then it was up to the fields to enjoy the events. Don't forget, Maynooth is so small the don't have a grocery store, they don't even post the population sign; so this was a big crowd in town last Saturday.
More tomorrow.

Friday, 2 September 2011

Foggy Today

We are back living in our trailer. The cottage is empty, ready for the owners to return and we are once again adjusting to smaller quarters. Yesterday's construction went very well, the "frost" wall is now up and full of concrete.

The view out our window this morning. A little foggy but very peaceful.

We are camped in the trees away from any construction and the trucks that deliver all the "stuff"  we need.

Notice how all the cut blocks have been re-enforced with wood scraps and the openings sealed with expanding foam.

The pump truck is getting set up and the concrete truck is ready to pour.

Each block looks like this inside, re-bar running vertical and horizontal every 24"

The crew discuss the plan with the pump operator.

The concrete is flowing and we start in the far corner. This concrete is like soup, very watery so it flows easily into all the crevasses.

Can you see the concrete soup flowing?

TJ handled the flow pipe while the rest cleaned and trowelled as he moved along the wall.

We will let the concrete set for four days as this is a long weekend here in Canada.

Thursday, 1 September 2011

Day Eight

Yesterday was another perfect day for working outside; no bugs, warm but cloudy and a gentle breeze. We are ready to pour concrete today.This will complete the "frost wall" and allow us to start the wall above grade just as soon as we complete the backfill.

Occasionally we have to cut a block to fit a smaller space and a skill saw completes the job quickly.

Once the top row is complete we go back and toe-nail each block to the one beside it. This gives the wall additional rigidity and stability.


Each block is checked front to back and side to side. This is what we like to see, perfectly level.

Kent, toe-nails the top blocks.

Blocks marked with an X have been cut and need to be reinforced before we pour the concrete.

Always checking.

Today the pump truck will be here and the concrete will be done in just a few hours. Imagine doing this one wheelbarrow at a time. No thanks.