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| looking south across sight down valley - foundation stone and clay mortar is all in - next is 2 bags of cement pointing |
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| 373 blocks made, with ratio of 36:1:1 of earth lime and cement - so far we have used just one bag of cement - cement in £10 a 50kg bag where as lime in 50p for the equivalent - acting as a pozzolana which extends the properties of of the cement and earth. - blocks should be covered and left to dry for at least two weeks |
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| mixing ratio of 36:1:1 of earth lime and cement with some water makes for cost effective durable block |
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| detail close up of foundation - builder often enjoy knocking the stones into squares and circles -enjoying the strength of the strong purple grain in the stone |
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| the production line - earth is brought in a wheel barrow in top left - sieved over box through 5mm gapped mesh - mixed in tarp with cement, lime and water - after completing drop test the mixture is ready for machine - four people is idea for operating machine for maximum output. |
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| overview of site |
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| overview of site - local stone and clay mortar foundation create level base for block work to be built off - block making shelter close by prepare blocks |
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| the owner of the house - shows me proudly 2 of his 12 rabbits - he also has a cow and a goat - yes he is keeping animals to eat them not for domestic entertainment |
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| interior of house, where food is prepared and rabbits are kept - this is one of three rooms - others are a bedroom for husband, wife and two children and a reception room |
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| latrine hole being dug - 1 meter in diameter - earth also used for blocks making - contains many stones - rate agreed at £5 per meter down - i think building in the fact that the last few meters of a 10 meter latrine are a lot harder work |
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| latrine digger waits for his turn - the alternate - pick, shovel and rake with short handles are used |
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| earth changes as with depth - top soil is removed - then organic soil can be still prevalent at 40 or 50 cm - colour changes and become brighter and more orange with depth - near the surface there is a mixture of particle sizes - ground in overall softer and less compacted - after 50 cm earth becomes harder with a more consistent particle size - earth has a good mixture of clay, sand and gravel as well as variety types. |
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| quarry at the top of the ridge some 50m from the house provides fantastic stone for strong foundations |
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| government lead planned artificial forests provide a sustainable source of timbers for building - as you can see the timbers are coppiced from the base never killing the tree |
