Merry Xmas ...

... and hopefully a finished cabin in 2008.

Man on the moon

Spraying layers of polyurethane foam to insulate the floor.

First cables

... have been installed.
And indeed, it was a last minute decision to plan for 2 extra sockets in the floor.

Let the sun shine in ...

Spent part of Saturday cleaning up, in anticipation of the insulation works.

Saturday at noon

Looks almost finished now.
But there's still a lot more to do.
Thumbs up for more progress before Xmas.

Glass, glass, glass

Earlier this week - after almost 6 weeks of no progress at all - the windows were mounted. Finally.

And yes, all pictures so far were made with this little Sony compact camera.

Doors Open Westlakebridge

Drove by today, while they were mounting one of the doors.

Height worker

Notice the height worker appearing just above the roof.
This week the glass curtain walls will also be prepared.
In the mean time, just enjoy another fall colour view.

And some progress there is ...

The aluminium profiles were mounted against the steel frames on the roof.

Goor-Asbroek

Went for a nice automn walk in the nearby nature reserve.

Through the roof

We've been promised major progress for next week. Stay tuned.

Fall colour report

The north-western region of the province is offering some wonderful colour with an 80% colour change in the Kenora region featuring subdued colours of yellow and orange with some pockets of vibrant red. (From the Ontario "Yours to Discover"
Fall Colour Report - Oct 5, 2007) - It's just that this isn't Kenora.

Fly agaric

More signs of automn.

June Berries

Only the fall colours of the June Berries in the back really progressed nicely this week.

Pump and circumstances

This weekend the pond was emptied once more to remove the pump.
Here's what the pump looked like after a six month stay in the mud at the bottom of the pond.

The roof

The roof has been completed now with insulation, roofing and everything.

Orange

Ran into these tiny little mushrooms, popping up from nowhere. No idea what they are called.

More steeldeck

No progress this week.
Hope to see things moving again next week.

Steeldeck roof

Today the steeldeck roof was installed and the walls were finished.

Climbing the wall

It took just one day to attach the steeldeck shell (I think that's what it's called) to the frame.

Bridge or ... ?

Is it a bridge or a tunnel ?
Hard to tell from this picture.

Noticed the first leaves have fallen. Automn is approaching.

Time for the construction works to continue as I'm running out of pictures again.

Purple

Aquatic plants are growing at a fast pace since the pond was cleansed and filled again.

The old and the new

One week now since the concrete slab was poured.
Next steps: the walls and the windows.

Stitched 18 pictures together to create this 180° panoramic view.

Concrete

Holidays are over. Last week the concrete slab was finished.

Reflections

A sunny Saturday.
The pond has cleared up thanks to the heavy rainfall of last week.

Had a meeting with our architect today, to discuss status and next steps.

To be continued ...

Waiting for the construction works to re-start after the summer holidays.

The South face

A view at the South side. Stitched 10 pictures together.

Next week, works will continue.

Westlakebridge closer-up

Same view from the back but in close-up.

While we were out, ...

... construction works continued. The steel skeleton is ready. The pump has been turned off so the pond is filling again. The water still looks rusty but that should improve in a couple of days.

A fisheye view on the bridge

The steel frames forming the façade - again several pictures stitched together. And in real it's straight not curved.
Westlakebridge is born.

The first wall

By the time I got back tonight - it was after eight - the first wall was mounted.

The crane

Ever wondered how they get these steel beams in place ?
Stitched some 10 pictures together to give you a view of the hoisting crane.
And yes, it looks a bit distorted.

The platform

A better view on the frame of the steel platform.

Construction works continued today

The steel platform is being assembled.
Here, as seen from the back.

A piece of the puzzle

Where will this piece go in the steel jigsaw ?
(Answer probably later this week.)

Steel Jigsaw

Streetside view of hundreds of large and small steel parts to be put together as huge jigsaw puzzle.

A lot more to come

All steel and concrete elements have been delivered.
Construction will continue next week.

The roof

... waiting to be put in place.

The concrete floor

That is the concrete elements that will be turned into the floor soon.

The lower terrace

... is under construction.

Surprise

The construction company called.
They've started this morning.
The first bearer is already in place.

Re-start pending

The construction company promised to re-start June 21 ...
Postponed till June 27 ...
Postponed again till July 3 in the last week before the construction holiday season starts ...
Another no show on July 3. Another promise : start in the week of July 9 in the first week of the holiday season ...

And also the weather turned bad, after a summerlike spring, we're having an automnlike summer.

So be patient - as soon as something moves, I'll post new pictures.

Waiting for the next steps

Nothing more to see, besides these concrete pillars.
And waiting for the concrete to harden before we can continue.

Groundworks are finished

Five pillars like this one to support the cottage. Another four for the terrace.

Lining up for the start

They were six this morning : a truck, 2 bulldozers, a crane, and a concrete mixer and pump all lining up in the road.

Preparatory works

The construction company is (almost) ready to start now.

Let's empty the pond.

A view in February

... in the direction in which it will be built.