20.06.2025 Going down!

 ~o~

  Friday 20th 53F/11.7C. Sunshine and it is expected to continue for two days. Breezy again.

 Up at 6.45 after a quiet night. My back and wrists are acing after yesterday's foolishness. Though not much more than usual.

 The strange, large, grey blob is still hiding in the greenhouse. It looks more the part this morning. As if newly settled into its role. I shall remove one layer of 2x4 timber packing from the bottom of the hole. Just to check if lowering the tub slightly. Would bring a dramatic improvement on the cosmetic front. 

There is a lower point at which a trip hazard might arise. Having the old fart take an involuntarily dip into cold water. Might be considered as taking the hobby a little too seriously. 

 7.30 A walk is already overdue. 

 8.00  I didn't go far. A nosebleed. Safely plugged with tissue. There were literally hundreds of sparrows moving about between the trees. It must have been a good year. 

 Back at home I removed one layer of 50x100mm timber packing. From the bottom of the hole. The tub seemed much more at home at that level. It didn't seem quite so domineering from the kitchen and front hall. 

  The apparent height of the tub is very dependent on how close I stand or take photographs. It seems to improve its appearance with each lowering. The top picture was taken with even less packing underneath.

I need to make a decision. Then fetch some fine, round gravel to line the bottom of the hole. On which the tub can safely rest.

 9.30 No morning coffee. I have run out of milk and rolls. Water will have to do. I decided to deepen the hole even further. Only to hit a layer of rocks, cement and concrete. I brought out my builder's levels to avoid confusion over levels. Larger crowbars to separate the rocks from the soil and each other. 

 The hole is somewhere around 40cm/16" deep now. Half the depth of the tub. Which means the hole needs to be slightly larger. So I have been digging away at the edges too. Needless to say I am dripping with sweat again. One rock is large and heavy enough that I can't easily lift it. I had better make a ramp. Or wait until I have recovered.

10.20 The big rock was removed by rolling it up a sloping 2x4. The loose soil was cleared from the bottom of the hole and levels checked. Then I shoved the tub back into the hole. And, it won't go all the way down! Still 50-55cm showing. The sides of the hole need to be cut back even more. Grr?

 11.00 Two more barrow loads trundled away. I cleaned the sides and bottom corners of the hole. The tub is now down to 45cm exposed to the top of the curved edges. The outer edge is now level with the bottom of my kneecap. A safe height to avoid accidents in the dark. I sense it is still jamming slightly. It rocks by a few centimeters when I lift either end.

 There is a large area of concrete come to the surface in the hole. Digging any deeper there will require strength and patience. I think I have had enough. I'll drag the tub out again and clean the sides and corners of the hole. To avoid any direct pressure points and to ensure it is actually resting on its flat bottom. 

 There will be a layer of fine gravel. To ensure a flat surface for it to rest on. The manufacturers labels are multi-lingual warnings to users. To provide a flat and firm surface under the tub.

11.35 Finally! The tub dropped in with a bang and can now be moved in all directions by a few centimeters. It will be slightly higher by the time the gravel is added as a bed. 

 11.45 I can't put off the shopping for any longer. There will be no lunch without rolls.

 12.30 Back from the shops. The village gravel man had very little fine gravel suitable as a bed for my tub. Should I use sand? I'd prefer fine gravel to inhibit the ants.  

 15.30 70F/21C. Returned with half a trailer full of fine gravel. I had to shovel it myself from the small heap. Under the blazing sun! Wot a hero! 😊

 16.30 I have been ferrying fine gravel to the hole in a wheelbarrow. Hopefully my leveling will result in a level tub. 85F/29C in the greenhouse. 

 Ideally the tub wants to be lowered while horizontal. If it drops at an angle then it will dent the gravel at one end. Should I lay some plywood on the gravel? To ensure it is level and well supported all over. Lowering the tub onto the plywood will not displace the gravel. 

 I solved the problem by pulling the tub quickly over the hole from the far side. It dropped straight down. I then wriggled it around to ensure it was settled. The long builder's level suggested it was level too. 

 I shall backfill the space around the tub with more gravel. So that the bottom half is well supported against the internal water pressure. The gravel will support the floor bricks too.    

 Dinner was a salmon pasty, pasta and peas. With tinned tomatoes. 

7.45  I shall now go back out and start backfilling the gravel around the tub.

 8.45. Just finished backfilling around the tub. 

  ~o~