Tag Archives: breaking boulders

Rondavel extension Part 2: The foundation trenches

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After burning some of the granite rock out of the way we start digging. How hard can it be after all?

Mr Tongai & Mr Didymus in the easy trench

Mr Didymus & Mr Tongai in the easy trench

 

Edmore getting that earth out

Edmore getting that earth out

and then signing off for the day

and then signing off for the day

Well up here what you see on top is not what is lurking underneath – more rocks.

OK more burning was to come. The rocks are all under ground too

OK more burning was to come. The rocks are all under ground too!

 

after burning - well nearly after

after burning – well nearly after

 

Somethings still alight in there

Somethings still alight in there

And it is a building site with a pretty good view too.

It slowly goes down

It slowly goes down in size

 

We have to dig round out to burn it. Lots of digging

We have to dig round out to burn it. Lots of digging

 

smaller now!

smaller now!

 

Temporary retaining wall

Temporary retaining wall

 

The men who bring the sand and gravel take a look

The men who bring the sand and gravel take a look at progress

 

If this tree was to fall down...

If this tree was to fall down…

 

 

Mr Garikai does the job first

Mr Garikai does the job first

 

and shows us how its done

and shows us how its done

 

He's getting good at this

He’s getting good at this

 

The site is ready

The site is ready

 

Measuring for the footings

Measuring for the footings

Rondavel extension: Part 1

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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