Day three of the drive rebuild, but the weather forecast is not good, so no concrete pouring today. Instead Ryan and I finished off the shuttering. Here I am during a brief lull in the rain checking the position of the post holders.
Big Ted Checking Post Holders
Our people delivered a pool today but I must say we were disappointed. The name Spa implies bubbles and hot water, and somehow we had been lead to believe that it would be bigger than it is. Clara was quite underwhelmed too!
You don’t think our people are playing games with us do you?
Today we made some progress on the studio, with the electricians Gavin and Tyler completing most of the second fix electrics. Of course I helped out and gave them the benefit of my experience. Not much more to go until we have electric power and the bears can get the amps plugged in.
Big Ted the charity fundraising bear and rock and roll superstar is currently traumatised after a routine marketing and publicity trip to Bristol Aquarium turned sour. While checking out the creatures in the Amazon section he was attacked by a rogue Terrapin which tried to drag him into the pool. Fortunately he was rescued at the last moment by the quick actions of Michelle, one of his people.
Big Ted Terra Attack
Work is progressing on the studio build, with the top coat of render going on. As usual I was supervising the quality of the work, but the Keith the plasterer achieved an excellent finish.
Render – Big Ted supervising detail
No work on the rendering yesterday due to the weather. Interestingly, bears and plasterers don’t like the rain much!
Today we put on some of the mesh corners round the windows and doors. Of course I let the people do the hard stuff while I gave useful hints and helped holding up the Bell Cast Bead. This bead, also known as Render Stop Bead, forms and protects the lower edge of the external render.
Scratch Coat – Big Ted gets the bead level
The weather is fine today, so we are back on the building site again. I have been helping plasterers Keith and Mathew putting the first code of render (the scratch coat) on to the new studio. As you can see I get the fine detail done with a specially made bear sized tool. How did you think all those neat lines got there then?
Today the Bears and I went on a road trip with Hero, to help him preparing the team Land Rover for the Help for Heroes Rally. This will be setting off on Saturday the 15th June.
Hero will be providing moral support for the TechyTubbies team (Twitter @TechyTubbies) our favorite IT technicians entered in the H4H 4×4 European Rally 2013. The rally follows the path of the the Allied Invasion through Europe following the landing in France early on D-Day morning 6th June 1944.
If you want to find out more about the TechyTubbies you can still sponsor them or follow them via the links below:
Web: techytubbies.com
Twitter: @TechyTubbies
Facebook: TechyTubbies & H4H 4×4 European Rally
Today is first fix electrics, and I went through the specifications with John and Phil the electricians to make sure everything was installed correctly. We need plenty of power when we turn the amps up to eleven!
The bears helped me install some network cabling to make sure we can get a good broadband connection to upload our music and video tracks. Fritz measured and cut the lengths of cable, Angus coiled the tails up in the roof space to keep things tidy, while I pulled through to the wall locations.
Just before the end of work we took delivery of the soundboard for the walls and ceilings. Those sheets are much heavier than standard plasterboard, in order to absorb the sound as the band rocks on. My people worked very hard with Barry the builder to move it all in good time.
Big Ted Supervising deliveries
The fitting out of the building shell continues getting ready for first fix electrics. Lots of wood and screws for me to organize and make sure that my people keep the workforce supplied with refreshments. During one of the tea breaks I managed to get my zen head on and think about making some music in this new space.
Looking forward to a nice weekend off and relaxing in the sunshine. I hope my people manage to get the garden tidied up a bit so the bears and I can get out and about!