Day 8 - Day 5 of the House Build

After a much needed and appreciated weekend away from site, the Brookfield house was up and raring to go by 7am with all present on site by 7:30. The howling winds that had kept some of us awake soon passed to see in the start of yet another scorchingly hot day. The project manager role was passed from Nick "I don't burn" Humble to Richard "I'm not burnt" Batts, both now dealing with blistering or badly peeling backs. Also worth mentioning was Georges efforts at tanning today; 10 minutes with his top off in the sun and the lobster was truly out.

Today the team really had to step up the pace as previous setbacks due to public holidays and an unpredictable supply of materials had left us uncertain as to the possibility of completing the project before our imminent departure on Friday. This was not a problem as each person ploughed on in there various roles of block layer, pointing specialist or mortar mixer. The females of the group however found themselves with a new job in blockwork painting preparation. An executive decision was made that bagging or black washing would be a suitable and cost effective alternative to rendering.

All in all the day ended well and after the delivery and offloading of a further 200 blocks we could reflect on the days efforts. All but a few awkward blocks were in place and all required materials were either on site or procured and due the following day.

Bearing our progress in mind and to show our gratitude to Charlie (the GGA project co-ordinator, and our No. 1 source of help with the project) we decided to go out to a local fish restaurant to experience some more of the excellent South African seafood. The food was excellent as was the wine. Charlie was very grateful for our gesture and also the chance to have a night away from the 70 kids he helps to look after,

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