Rondavel extension: Part 1

 

Our next new building project has started at Hornbydale. I won’t give the game away yet but will make posts under rondavel extension.
Mr Willard collecting firewood

Mr Willard collecting firewood

Digging the foundation trenches has mainly been about burning our way through a large number of boulders over the last two months. Here’s how it works… 
 
First, collect a vast amount of firewood (eg saw up a full size pine tree).
Mr Ramius bringing more firewood

Mr Ramius bringing more firewood

Second, make a bonfire around and over the offending boulder.
Mr Didmus at bonfire

Mr Didmus at bonfire

The blaze must be large enough (ie hot enough) to burn red hot for 8-12 hours so it’s generally an overnight process before the rock is hot enough.
Mr Didmus tends the fire

Mr Didmus tends the fire

Through this time the granite will start mildly exploding and cracks will develop to various depths – some surface flakes and some deep bisecting cracks if we are very lucky! 
Mr Didmus and Snoopy at the fire

Mr Didmus and Snoopy at the fire

 
 
Attack the rock

Attack the rock

Mr Willard attacks

Mr Willard at work with the mattock

 

Then with a combination of brute force and a very strong crow bar start opening the cracks.
Mr Willard has success

Mr Willard has success

The whole process can take numerous ‘burns’ for rocks embedded in the earth.
 
The audience

The audience: Albert, Didmus, Ramius, Snoopy, Megan

Mr Tongai in action

Mr Tongai in action

Mr Tongai

Mr Tongai

The really good side to all this is that we will use the new rock pieces as building material, instead of buying bricks. More on that once we start building…
Mr Willard & Mr Tongai

Mr Willard & Mr Tongai

 

 

Mr Willard

Mr Willard

2 thoughts on “Rondavel extension: Part 1

  1. Well done good economics and science at work thank God you have the wood and the rock. Hope you are well and the girls and your whole team.Have a nice day

    Sent from my iPad

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