Project - Happy Pigs!! (Pt 2)

Joists In!

Here we go ........ Part 2 of the Pig 'Ritz' construction and this should be easy going .... there's only one chief on this part of the job.

The replacement joists went in pretty easily with a bit of tweaking, and were nicely secured ready to take the roofing 'felt', woven bitumen paper really.  The existing roof needed a little adjustment but that was no challenge and all lined up nicely.

Paper & Fascia on!

The paper went on easily and was secured with clump nails at the top and sides.  Fascia board and batons fitted, all that was left to do was to fit the tiles.  It was worth 'tweaking' the existing roof, the new roof tiles fitted nicely.

Tiles on!

Ready for inspection ... Sir!!

A little bit of tidying up and we're ready for inspection.  Inspection passed, I've installed an outside light above the side gate.  It now just remains for me to face off the side gate with galvanised tin, dress off the side and front fascias, build a little door between sty and pen, install a means to protect the piglets from the sow when she rolls and the job'll be a real good 'un.  Since writing this I've had a former Brit pig keeper look at the sty and all's good ..... we're just about ready to roll.  I hope you're looking forward to meeting Bacon and Crackling as much as me.

Project - Happy Pigs!! (Pt 1)

Saturday the 19th of November 2011 was a warmish sunny day, much like many Autumn days in the lovely friendly village of Cherkovo ..... then the whirlwind hit ...... Penko our fantastic neighbour is in the village for a few days and, despite not being required until Spring 2012, it is vital that the 'new' pigsty is built this weekend.

Fred Karno's army gathered, 

let the project commence!

A chance discussion with Penko (left with specs) over numerous glasses of rakia (Ракия - local moonshine) accompanied by much salad, concluded with my fabulous neighbour offering the use of his (former) pigsty ....... it just needed to be re-built, an unintentional hood-winking methinks.

Penko spent the previous day, with his son, clearing years of collected 'useful things' ranging from wooden pallets, 56 gal oil drums and washing machine parts to allow construction to begin.  Nasko (above in red) and I spent a little time at the wood yard bartering for timber.  Work started at around 9.30, there's only one 8 in my day these days, and the battle of will's commenced.  

I wanted my way, Penko his and all Nasko could say was "you two a pain in the a*!%" and "there's too many bosses" .... I got my way and we had a pretty successful day all in all.  The main peers were concreted in for strength, reclaimed thick floor boards formed the walls and new timber extended the existing joists.  A gate, also reclaimed, installed in the side to aid mucking out and to help direct our free range pigs to the front of the house and the village 'green'.  

All in all a satisfying first day of construction, and as dusk fell the only work remaining was the need for a little roof felt, a few tiles, a bit of brick laying to finish the wall, a little welding to 'fill' the gaps in the metal gate and to clear the decks of debris .... all to be saved for another day, and one boss!!

Day 2 to follow ........................