Sleeping Indian Work Week Two

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Fri 5 Jun 2020 23:57
Huge Changes in a Very Busy Week
 
 
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Yesterday was a Bank Holiday but the shortened week had little impact on the massive amount that the boys completed in their four working days. Early Tuesday the boys did the final preparations for ‘The Big Pour’ (own blog) and work briefly came to a halt when The Fish Man visited our dock. Captain was first in the queue, Bear was next and chose two fair sized red snapper for supper to go with baked potato and salad. Next was Bossman. It was lovely to watch the pointing out choices, the weighing and the money being passed over. That done my excitement grew when the cement pump truck arrived.
 
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At 12:35 the first chug of cement was seen and within a hour we had a smooth concrete deck. Once the shuttering was removed and Captain was happy with the finish the boys began the ‘clean up’ which took until the middle of the afternoon. We were left impressed, super pleased and very surprised that we would all be able to potter about on the new surface on the morrow.
 
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Wednesday. As always the boys arrive early, cheerful and eager to get on. At eight thirty the deck was a hive of activity and soon the sun canopy was laying in the sun. Cutie wheeled in a Beez Neez coloured wheelbarrow full of sand that he promptly sifted and mixed into the mortar that Captain would use to give a smooth face to the popcorn finish on the lower balcony. Barry White set up a work station to begin fence post installation.
 
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Barry fixed the four fence post holders, very neat and much nicer than some of the ‘industrial’ looking ones we have seen about the place. Suddenly we have the feeling that things are really moving on.
 
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By four o’clock Barry and Cutie were clearing up, the right hand wall (as we step out) was complete and beautifully smooth.
 
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The opposite side and overhang have their prep coat. It was Bear’s wish to see this area smooth but I have to say it gives such a fresh and more modern look. Captain was not happy until I gave my approval – I did, telling him that he had done an amazing job – met with huge smiles. All three of the boys are really doing an excellent job. We love their banter, enthusiasm and care.
 
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Thursday morning Cutie set off for a plank of greenwood after he had made up a mix for Captain. Barry White than acted as assistant to Captain and during a smoothing bit I asked the big man for a favour.  In a flash his ‘big boy’ tools were at the bottom of the stairs and minutes later three newel posts and the half one by the bedroom door were beheaded. I could have done that. But......I tried to sound soothing and gentle.......if you went at the speed of your troweling I may not have the years left.......oooo you can be so mean. Just saying. Growling. We have nice, new chrome newel post caps current on their ‘olidays in Swindon. Barry White then got down to fitting the fence posts.
 
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Cutie arrived with the capping rail and very carefully helped Barry White measure. As Captain continued to smooth Barry White trimmed the edges and chamfered the first twelve inches as “I can’t get to them once it is in place each side of the tall post.” By the end of the day we had the frame ready for the stainless wires and attachments Bear had shipped from Australia via Miami.
 
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Just look at that smooth wall, precision ninety degree angle and sharp corner cut. Perfect. I watched Captain as he carefully held the spirit level to the edge, check the angle of his trowel and cut away the excess plaster, wonderful to observe a craftsman at his work.
 
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Friday morning saw Cutie plastering the overhang before he set about tidying the drive. Captain smoothing – I caught him in action with his usual laughter and good natured way.
 
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Captain nailed a board in place to take the weight then set about the rotten bottom of the car port support.
 
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The original plan was to chop the rotten ‘foot’ out and replace with a concrete section but as the next ‘foot’ was sawn off – Oh Dear. Clearly an old termite nest. I noticed a new nest in the other post during our hire car week (we don’t normally bimble past that one) so the decision was taken to replace both....... So for now we have a mid-air dangle, new but we don’t think it will catch on as a fashion statement.
 
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Bear made Barry White roar with laughter when he said I see you brought your toilet with you. (it holds their water jugs in place on the lorry). Cutie did a grand job of loading the truck, Barry swept and Captain took away some of the tools not required anymore. We gave the boys their six weekend beers and left them to it at two thirty as we shut ourselves in the bedroom to join the second of the Legendary Family Quizzes organised by nephew Stuart.
 
 
ALL IN ALL A VAST DIFFERENCE
                     LOOKING REALLY GOOD