20 May 2009 - Very Big Triangles - Red Rhino Outreach Project

Hello from all of us here,

I think my laptop is acrophobic. The minute I started talking about a mid-flightÂ disposal, it started apologizing and attempting reform. Babysteps, but it might be the leg up I need to get through the next month’s Mac-stuff.

I’m so far behind in posting here that I have actually caught my tail, and am not really sure what to do with it, so I thought I’d hand it over to you in this installment. Good luck.

We have a good deal of the roof on now, and these photos will bring you a few steps closer to real time, whatever that is. Some of the photos are still disorderly, but not too many, and they all do their part to show you the trusses, big (4) and small (3) going up.

Murafu working on one of the U joints the trusses get welded to.

A small truss raising.

Opyio fitting the truss end into the U joint. The engineer who designed the trusses made a mathematical error and we had to modify the small trusses. It ultimately caused us a huge headache.

We held the trusses in place with timber braces until we had all the purlins welded on.

Peter doing his welding job.

The view from the ground floor.

The small trusses were small potatoes compared to the big trusses, which were big, very heavy potatoes.

The big gable, ready for the big truss.

The landing strip.

The launching pad.

The approach.

Lift off...

Manual propulsion.

Murafu propulsion.

The rest of the struggle following.

Until it's safe and sound.

And provides a base for the next one,

And the next one.

Once the big boys were on the ring beam, we had to get them to stand on their own two feet.

We pushed and hoisted and pulled with straps and ropes,

to get them where they needed to go.

Opyio braced them with timber and his high wire act.

Until we got them all straight,

and Peter could weld 'em solid.

Everyone walked around on the ring beam and points north for a couple of weeks without a tumble.

We finally wound up with something like this, all ready to have the purlins welded to.

Here’s hoping all your mabati is on straight and screwed down tight,

David

Comments(7)

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martin says
May 20, 2009 at 9:45 am

i don’t know about your bati, but mabati is just fine, thanks.

good as this gelato is, i’d happily trade it for some nyama choma right now…

martin
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Ed Richardson says
May 20, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Dave,

More huge accomplishments! Great job in placing the roof trusses. Can’t wait to see the roof on. Be well.

Ed
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Peggy says
May 20, 2009 at 5:51 pm

All I can say is “OH, MY GOSH!” What a ballet!
Peggy
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david says
May 21, 2009 at 2:27 am

Caro Martin,

Don’t trade the gellato, just bring a vat and well plow our way through it while we watch the Champions league final with the Incomparable One upon your arrival. So glad to hear your ‘bati is in good shape.

Best to you and your intrepid traveling companion.

David
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david says
May 21, 2009 at 2:30 am

Hi Ed,

You shouldn’t have long to wait. We have had a mbati snafu, but should be sorted out tomorrow and enable us to finish the roof in a few days. Hope to see you and Dottie this summer.

David
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david says
May 21, 2009 at 2:32 am

Peggy,

No wonder my toes are so sore!! I’ve got to get these little slippers off and get into some proper work boots. Bless you for your work.

David
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Samantha says
June 5, 2009 at 7:02 am

Beautiful work David! Thinking of you as always and sending you lots of energy….the roof looks absolutely wonderful. Hugs, S

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20 May 2009 – Very Big Triangles

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20 May 2009 – Very Big Triangles