Tuesday, April 1, is a big day and your photographer, never one to like missing the action, takes a couple hours off work to be there.
By early afternoon the traffic management crew are in place, the huge pump truck with a very long concrete placing boom has arrived, outriggers are set up, and the boom slowly unfolds as 7 concrete trucks are marshalled down the road.
Bert, Elise, Damien and Ian are ready to do the finishing as the pier holes and the strip footings are filled with what we learn afterward is some 37 cubic metres of concrete, about double what the original plan had been before bad soil and hundreds of dolerite ‘floaters’ forced a change to the intended methods.
The footpath and one lane of the two-lane road is closed so the work poses no hazards to passersby.
Lowering the concrete placing boom between the gum trees
Lower and deeper into the site
The worker lowering the boom uses a radio frequency remote control to drop the boom into the farthest corner where the pour will start.
The art studio pier holes are where the pump action begins
The first of many cubic metres
Simple. Just fill the holes up, right? No. Simplicity is complex. Coordinating the concrete flow being pumped down the boom, placing the boom so just the right amount ends up in each hole, moving the boom to the next position so the minimum of concrete is wasted, these require skill, experience, concentration and above all, teamwork.
With the first pier hole full, the finishers move in
The boom has to be retracted and placed again on the other side of the gum trees so it can reach the majority of the site
Bert swings into action, float in his left hand, steel trowel in his right. The plate is cast in!
Down comes the boom on the other side of the trees
Almost in position again
Meanwhile, up above on Woodcutters Road …
Damien (left) waits with the concrete vibrator at the ready
Ian (left), as our builder, takes responsibility to ensure each cast-in plate is dead level; small adjustments are still possible, with a big mallet! Elise (centre) handles the steel trowel to finish the pier. Bert (right) trowels as well.
What? A let’s-head-to-the-pub-after-work phone call now?! No, communication between the team at the pointy end with those up at the pump truck is critical for safety, efficiency and a great result.
Ongoing communication as the team keeps pouring and finishing. There’s plenty left to do but your photographer had to go back to work!
Hobart hill house 
Catching up finally on all the posts and reading backwards to the early days, It’s amazing what’s been going on while I’ve been at home drawing my plastic skeleton or working on perfecting my vegan French fruit tart recipes. Not to mention going to work. Great photos! And what an impressive team. But I think Damien’s loyal offsider Bella has been unjustly neglected by our erstwhile photographer. After all, they also serve who only sit around looking adorable and wagging their tails.
Reality check! Bella, get ready for your close-up.