Voted the best tool for the job!

... by far the least effective method!

We also tried using an electric planer set up in a workmate - this was very quick but we decided it did not make a very satisfying noise and it was much more fun to employ one of the other methods...

... billhook...

We also started to put points on the end of the hazel stubs today.  There are different methods we tried - axe...

Upper and lower levels complete on both sides.  Now these need to be backfilled with top soil inbetween, and steps constructed in the centre.  The tops also need to be trimmed to the right height.

The lower level complete on one side!

...which sped up as we got into a rhythm.

Making progress...

Setting the first chestnut rounds against the string line.

Todays task is to try and put in the chestnut retaining wall along the excavated bank at the back of the house.  The diggers made us a small trench last week as it would have been a nightmare to try and bang the stakes into the chalk.

As there is quite a large step at the back we are going to create a stepped bank, with a planting bed at mid height between the proposed lawn (at the low level) and raised garden above.

First job to mark out the centre of the house, as there will be steps up to the high level in line with this.

Day 103

More frames made up ready to go...

Day 102

The frames are made up of ex. 50x100 (2x4) C24 timber.  We have decided to leave the timber untreated.  As the timber will be well ventilated and sheltered the risk of decay and insect attack seems to be low (it is more prevalent the when the moisture content in the timber increases above 20%).

By definition timber treatments are generally effective by being inhospitable to life, and the treated timber seems to come with long lists of health warnings!  We also felt that the use of harmful chemicals was not appropriate for our healthy eco-build.

The first timber frames made up on the slab.

Day 101 - driveway formed & timber frame begun

The sole plate sits in the centre of the brickwork outer leaf.

The sole plate will be bedded on silicon to try and take out some of the undulations in the brickwork and also it seal penetrations through the dpc where the fixings (screws and plugs) are.

The timber frame started today with setting out the sole plate, shown here on top of the damp proof membrane.

Our new drive formed and covered with scalpings.  We can park off the road!

Day 100

The steel I beams arrived today.

Our finds!

Levels at the back now reduced, and excavations around the building backfilled.

Day 99 - Adjusting the site levels

The site has a completely different feel now - you can really get a sense of what it will be like to walk out onto the deck!

The pile of very dusty, fine topsoil begins to grow!

The backfilling around the building has begun, along with reducing the levels at the back (west) of the new dwelling.

Day 96

The glulam ridge beam sections arrive.

Day 94

We collected the bundles of hazel stakes from Andy Basham in Ashdon.  We need to keep these dry until we use then.  We will cut each length in half and point the end over the next few weeks. These will be used to pin the straw bales together as we build up the walls.

The chestnut rounds are delivered bright and early.  These will be used to retain the bank once the levels have been adjusted in a couple of weeks time.

Day 92 - Straw bale delivery

All tarped up!

Building a ridge to help stop water sitting on the top of the bales.

Rain shower has passed, so back up the ladder to cover the bales properly.

A birds eye view of build progress to date.

...and view to the north from the top.

The view to the west from the top over the conifers...

Is that a new kennel for me?  How do I get in?

All unloaded.  Taupaulins thrown over the top as a rain shower passes over.

The second trailer of bales arrives.

Stacking the first layers...

Starting the offload!

The straw arrives!

Our accumulation of pallets, ready and waiting for the straw bales.

Day 83

There was also the task of putting a 17metre insulation coil on the plastic water pipe.  This pipe is to feed the external tap which will be in the centre of our vegetable garden.  It needs to be insulated because it has to travel over the ground source heat pump pipe, and in some places is shallower than 750mm below ground level.  This was really difficult and the insulation got very hot in the sun (as it was black) - I think I preferred filling the cavity with LECA!

We had forgotten quite how dirty this job was, relieved we have now finished with the LECA!

The LECA is back, this time in the cavity.  The effective moisture barrier of the LECA is 100mm, our cavity is 180mm wide, so this should be ample to prevent moisture migrating from the external masonry leaf to the internal leaf.  This is also our cavity insulation.

Day 82 - timber arrives

The untreated timber.  We are currently researching which preservative is the least environmentally and health damaging to use on the sole plate.

The first lot of fixings also turned up today.

The rest of the timber was stacked up alongside the footprint.

The timber was delivered on a curtain sided lorry, as there were no hiabs available.  The plan was to offload it all by hand.  However, on seeing the amount of timber that arrived it was evident that this was going to take several hours!  Our neighbour kindly rang the local stud to ask if we could borrow their telehandler to help, and they very generously obliged!  Thank you everyone, it made the job much easier!  Logistically it was quite difficult to lower the packs of timber onto the slab due to the plinth brickwork and straps, we did manage a couple however.

Timber was delivered today, all 9.5 tonnes of it!