Yet another stage of the build is over and another begins. Today we completed the ringbeam phase. All the ringbeams are now raised, meaning we can go onto order the trusses, which we will do tomorrow. I have made a video diary of the first and last beam-raising. The fist beam took over an hour to raise, between measuring, cutting, lining up, raising and securing. The last beam took fifteen minutes to raise; if Monte and I decide to ever build another home, we shall be experts in the field!

Pictured is the last beam being raised. It is still attached to the tripod that Monte built. For a while we were rather stressed about how we’d get these long, heavy beams 10 t from the ground! Monte researched and planned and built a tripod. A simple crank is used to pully the beam. The ringbeam is attached to another beam at four points (you can see the ropes – we’re also experts at knotting now). The ringbeam is lifted up and over the post and is gently lowered down, where it is clamped into position. Each beam was temporarily screwed into position before the two were in place. Once the two beams were nestled together on the posts they were drilled and then bolted down. Monte keeps saying:

“Our house will be built like a brick shithouse”

But I hope it will look nicer than an outdoor dunny!

This photo shows the house from the laundry door (looking west). Monte is on the far right corner, bolting the corner beams into place. This pic gives a good view of the internal walls that we have put up (as well as those we are yet to raise). It’s all rather exciting!