I headed up to the road to see if I could catch sight of the arrival of the crane. To be honest, I was so nervous I would have cheerfully just hung out at the top of the property for the day, but I knew Rob wanted me to take lots of photos of the day's events, and I had promised to provide food and refreshments. Plus in my heart I really did want to be there! I was just worried about how it would all work out. Well, it went just fine, and we send out a huge thank you to Bob, Murray, Scott and Simon who came to help out with our adventure that day, as well as our fabulous crane driver as we couldn't have done it without them.
As I sat waiting for the crane, I remembered back to the day we sat on our tailgate and waited for the timbers to arrive, just over a year ago. What a lot we have done since then! I felt the same excitement as I waited for a sight of the crane. And there it was!
As soon as the crane was set up, everyone got a few instructions, and set to work. I was amazed how well everyone worked together, and commented later that it was like watching a ballet. Scott and Murray put the straps over the timbers that were to be hoisted up first, while Bob and Simon positioned themselves to help drop it in place.Rob was busy making sure the correct pieces were going in, and made any necessary adjustments as they went along. I think he had rehearsed this many times, during some of his rather sleepless nights the week before!
There is just something exciting about seeing those timbers mid air.
I ran around and tried my best to get a decent shot. It was difficult with all that scaffolding in the way!
Rob checks for the fit...
...and drives a peg in.
The next truss gets raised! I wanted to get coffee and tea for the group, but really didn't want to leave the site. But I figured they could use a break and some granola bars and hot coffee, so as soon as this piece went in, I ran down to the cabin to prepare a snack.
There are standard hand signals used to direct the crane operator when he can't see the actual timber being lifted, Rob got most of the signals right.
Rob and Murray put in a brace to hold the truss in place. I was chatting with the crane operator at this point and from our perspective, we thought Rob was drilling a screw into that lovely timber. But he was actually not! It was going through a piece of wood on the other side, to make a sort of clamp. At this point the crane driver told me he'd helped with over 20 timber frames, but Rob's joinery was some of the best he'd seen. I was beaming !! Apparently Rob really has known what he's doing all this time.... ! Of course, I knew that....
Simon attaches the wooden "clamp" above the top of the truss.
Ridge beam going in!
O.k. I was nervous about the timbers hanging in the air, but apparently it was quite secure.
A view from the north side. Left to right is mudroom, guest bathroom, guest room, living room.
And a view from the south west side! Left to right - dining room, kitchen, entrance, bedroom.
And back to the north. I spent a lot of time circling the house! Mostly just trying to stay well out of the way.
Later in the week we discovered a problem with this one, and Rob realized the mortise was cut in the wrong position - he had to pull it up and cut another joint. (Mortise - whatever... ). It is the only error (that shows ...) in the whole frame.
Bob getting ready for the ridge beam connecting to the scissor truss. I really like these, they have a lovely look to them!
Living room on the left, dining room on the right. My first real good look at the trusses from a distance. I was concentrating so hard on looking where I was going and taking photos, that I hadn't stopped to admire the house!
Bob had instructions to make sure the peg hole was clear before driving the peg in.
Bob is looking at the camera. I think it's the first time anyone looked at anything but the timbers. I was really amazed that everyone seemed to know what was expected next and were working so well together, and looked so relaxed!
The "ground crew" have a few minutes to wait until this piece is put into place before they have to get another ready for the crane to pick up.
And it started raining. Scott uses the squeegee to get rid of some of the pools of water.
Oh yeah, even I recognize this complex looking timber ! I had no idea where it was meant to go though.
I puzzled over this one for a long time. I had no idea what was going on and I'd seen all the drawings, but still couldn't figure it out.
Not your average drill.
Now I started to see how it would all go, but it looked complicated and I had the feeling this was one of the tougher pieces to fit.
Murray moved up top to be another helpful set of hands.
The rubber dead blow sledgehammer seemed to help!
I guess it all went in fine, as another piece is arriving!
Rob gets a chisel and adjusts a few of the joints as they are assembled.
O.k. all is good - on to more purlins and another ridge beam.
Pegs in his back pocket, hope we have enough!
The final touch.
Wow - Just can't say enough about the amazing people who showed up to help, and what a great job they did, despite the rain, and the long day's work. No idea how to thank them all.
As it was raining steadily at the end, we went in the next day and took photos when the weather was better!
Now Rob will do his best to get at closing the house in before the snow flies so that work on the inside can continue through the winter. We know we are pushing it, so we're hoping for some good weather, and we'll just have to see how it goes. Bob has offered to come give a hand whenever possible for which we are so grateful.
Not only are the leaves turning early, but they are already falling from the trees. They float down the river in a lovely burst of colour; a good reminder that the seasons are changing. Guess it's time to finish splitting that firewood!
