Mud and wheelbarrows - the footings

We were incredibly fortunate to have a small group of helpers (both family and friends) to assist us with our first concrete pour last weekend.  We were incredibly unfortunate to have ALOT of rain the night before the pour, so after concerns about it being too hot to pour, we had concerns it would be too wet!!!

Our stirrups - these things are built to last!

We spent most of a week preparing the site, and having our site inspection (which we passed!).  To make sure that all our stirrups would be lined up perfectly and would be easy to get right and check once the concrete was poured, we spent many nights discussing and brainstorming how to make it work on the day.  We decided on bolting 2 pieces of timber to each stirrup shank, tight enough so that it would not move.  This timber would sit on the ground, and the height could be adjusted by loosening off the nuts, and pulling the stirrup up or down.  This meant that the height would be right.  To make sure the exact location within the hole was right we set up a string line with marks on it, and once they were all 'perfect' we sprayed the ground and the wood with marking paint, so that the position was clear, even if the stirrups were removed from the hole.

How we braced the stirrups and lined them up ready for the concrete.

As it turned out, we had enough people so that some were to push barrows full of concrete, while 2 would stand of the timber supports to hold the stirrup in place as the concrete was poured in.  The 'holding person' also was able to help with tipping the barrow.  Although the stirrups and the supports got a bit in the way, the whole thing barely moved, so it was just a matter of going through and double checking them all after the concrete was poured, and reduced the stress levels considerably, as we didn't have to stuff around putting stirrups into concrete and lining them all up afterwards.

Pushing wheelbarrows full of concrete through the mud, not an easy task.

We had 20 holes all up (so therefore 20 stirrups), in two circles, which we call the inner circle and the outer circle.  At each of these we will fix our posts and then the beams will radiate around to a central collar.

double checking the distances after the concrete was poured.

Our concrete pour was a fun day.  It was muddy and difficult (the mud clogged up the wheels of the barrows, so they were really hard to push or control), but there is a sense of comradery when doing a task like that with a group of people, especially when everyone can work well together as a team.  We are indebted to all that helped us that day.  It was all over within an hour or so, but it was fast paced and challenging at the time. 

How the wheel of a wheelbarrow looks after numerous trips through the mud.

Next step - the frame!


A huge thank you to Paul, Grant, Pete, Karhen, Claude and Margit for your help!