06/04: The 3000 Liter Water Tank Stand

We had the stone, the sand, the ballast, the cement, the lumber, and a growing case of building fever. So we set to it and in three work days raised a modest 6’x6’x6′ water tower of babel. Despite of the fact that the mutually unintelligible chattering was limited to just three distinct tongues: Kiswahili, Kikamba and Kalifornian, we managed a respectable amount of confusion.

What follows is the tale in summary in two parts. Part one, at the standard picture/word rate should be worth about twenty one thousand.

$The grid. The two outside lines heading north and south are 18\" apart, the width of babel\'s foundation. The third line is 4\" from it\'s neighbor and represents the outside edge of the stones that will make up the wall. We replicate them on the ground then Gilbert traces them in white cement, our chalk.$ The grid. The two outside lines heading north and south are 18\" apart, the width of babel\'s foundation. The third line is 4\" from it\'s neighbor and represents the outside edge of the stones that will make up the wall. We replicate them on the ground then Gilbert traces them in white cement, our chalk.

Once flexible Gilbert has done, we remove the string, but not the corresponding marking nails in the batter boards,

and we give over fully to the excavation urge, and the necessity of black cotton soil removal. The square of lumber in the middle is the foundation form, the outside being the earthen wall, and the rebar runners are snug in their beds.

and we give ourselves fully to the excavation urge, and the necessity of black cotton soil removal. The square of lumber in the middle is the foundation form, the outside being the earthen wall, and the rebar runners are snug in their beds.

The sand and ballast need transporting up to the site. If given the choice, always choose sand. Shoveling sand is driving good nails into soft wood; shoveling ballast is riding an old bicycle with nearly flat tires.

The Bedford being loaded under African skies.

$The next two unloading pictures are really \"action shots,\"$ The next two unloading pictures are really \"action shots,\"

which typically are available only to those with premium packages, but here--you get it all at one low fee.

The two great pyramids of Lukenya. Sand and Ballast.

Mixing concrete here is a lot like making pasta dough. Lay out the ingredients in the proper proportions and fold them together gently.

$Here it\'s 1 part cement, 3 parts sand.$ Here it\'s 1 part cement, 3 parts sand.

Folded (or shoveled) gently,

Add the 6 parts ballast (rocks),

$It\'s much more than you\'d think.$ It\'s much more than you\'d think.

$In best Julia Child\'s voice,,,\"then you take a 20 liter gerry can, and upend it in the middle of the mix,$ In best Julia Child\'s voice,,,\"then you take a 20 liter gerry can, and upend it in the middle of the mix,

and fold to the desired consistency.

$Occasionally a mzee (best translated old or wise...not much ambiguity in this case) mzungu may want to participate... it\'s a curiosity peculiar to their kind...$ Occasionally a mzee (best translated old or wise...not much ambiguity in this case) mzungu may want to participate... it\'s a curiosity peculiar to their kind...

Load the finished product into the waiting container.

And dump with care into...

the pre-greased baking pan.

While the neighbor children look on and

make a square of their little fingers and make clicking noises indicating that they are interested in being photographed, not in construction haute cuisine.

See you with part two before the foundation cures.

Yours for towering dreams,

David and the tower people

Comments(4)

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Chris says
June 4, 2008 at 11:56 pm

What a great story — and great project. You’re practicing cliff-hanger photographic prose now, I see. And I can’t wait to see the finished edifice. Thanks for taking us along so many beautiful steps of the journey.
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Peggy says
June 5, 2008 at 12:07 am

David — As always I am utterly amazed at the accomplishments under the circumstances. Having watched a zillion cooking shows I could follow the recipe. What a great crew of “cooks” you have and so colorful.

Thank you for another great photo-story!
Peggy
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david says
June 5, 2008 at 6:02 am

Hi Peggy,

I’m not sure how Jacques Pepin would feel about our “cooking,” but I’m glad you liked it. Stop by for a slice and tea any afternoon. And, sa always, thanks for all your efforts.

Best,

David
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david says
June 5, 2008 at 6:13 am

Dear Christian,

We prefer to think of it as “tower-hanging” photo prose, when we think of it at all. And in an attempt to restore stable cardiac rhythms all around, I’ve come clean with part 2.

And speaking of literary anticipation, I’m all full of a chapter two thirst now that I have drunk chapter one in full measure. Beautiful and full of allure. Hook a brother up!

Thankful for God’s gift to you,

David

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Chris says

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