The day started early with the arrival of the concrete pump, chewing up the neighbours’ bank as it manoeuvred in. It was in position with a full reach across the site before a steady stream of ready-mix lorries trundled in – ten in all over the morning, carrying about 80 cubic metres of concrete.
The concrete is fired in under a good deal of pressure so Jason grappled with the tube as the other guys tamped it down and ensured it was to the right level.
Note the level-indicators attached to the tampers. The chap in orange is controlling the pipe and concrete flow
Once the concrete was in, the guys worked to agitate and smooth it, including power-floating the surface once it was hard enough to walk over.
The last load came in around lunchtime but the working day went on much longer, albeit with lots of hanging around as the concrete hardened between polishes. Two of the team stayed until midnight – a shift of nearly 18 hours, when Fergal came back for a final power-float. Fortunately his midnight to 3am shift could be cut short – we lay in bed wondering what we’d say to the neighbours (and whether the bats would ever get over the disruption …)
The greenhouse installers quietly got on amidst the pour excitement and visits from several interested neighbours.
Chris and Bev - Heads in the Clouds 