Retaining wall is being built at breakneck speed

Peter Ford Blocklayers are building the retaining wall at breakneck speed and doing a great job. The wall looks exactly as I imagined it to at this stage. Of course we need to smooth the tops of the wall once the block laying is complete, but all going to plan.

Block laying has begun on retaining wall

Today Ford block layers started on site and are moving like wildfire on the retaining wall. Pete sent a photo of the very first block layed on site - which is a monumental and historical moment in this project - thanks Pete.

the first block being layed!

Peter and Jason doing a great job.

Owner Builder Licence number proudly displayed on site.

After lots of preparation, footings were poured today

The footings for the retaining walls were poured Today as well as the concrete spraying of each side of the headwalls. The amount of concrete that was used was more than double our initial estimate of 18 cm3. In the end it turned out to be 40 cm3 for the footings and 4 cm3 metres for the sprayed areas for both sides of the headwalls. That retaining wall is not going to move anytime soon.

It was also a hectic day as the concrete company messed up our credit card details and refused to order the concrete when it was in fact, their administration error. This occurred while the pump was there and everyone was waiting of course. Pete had to call me several times before I woke up and heard the phone, as it was after midnight Zurich time.  Pete's management of the whole pour was outstanding. Another successful day all round. All going to schedule.