30th May 2014
So this morning we split off into 4 sub groups. One group was finishing the drainage trenches, another the formwork, then one transporting the final loads of earth onto site, with the final group began to fill the foundations with gravel. By lunch time all the earth had reached the site, so Trevor gave us a demonstration on possible floor finishes and the drainage network had been laid on a level bed. After lunch focus moved to filling up to ground level and tamping could begin. By mid afternoon we had added the recycle fabrics (an in budget alternative to Geotextile) and we had laid the first ring of gravel filled bags marking the end of the foundations, over the DPC. We then spent the rest of the afternoon placing and checking the door formwork, whilst also developing and experimenting to find the best method for levelling the bags and infilling the floor with an insulating layer of straw before covering with earth. Today we felt achievement by reaching ground level and we had the added bonus of it not raining. Progress!
