Category Archives: News

They sting!

April 19, 2016Newsbkrijger

I’m getting introduced to more and more things that are typical for Texas; Today I had a up close encounter with a scorpion.

I check my shoes before I put m on, but this morning, at the B&B I put on socks I had put on the evening before after a much needed shower, and had put in my shoes overnight.
Scorpions must have a foot fetish as this one crawled into my sock. As I put the sock on I felt a sting, much like a wasp sting. Luckily scorpions aren’t lethal here, but it isn’t a nice feeling. The lesson here is; check everything you put on unless it comes from a closed environment like a suitcase or sealing cupboard.

These scorpions are small; about 2 inches and tend to crawl where it’s dry and warm. Personally I would not choose a worn sock, but I’m no scorpion.

Wall definitely not paid by Mexico

April 2, 2016News, Uncategorizedbkrijger

Finally part of the actual home is becoming visible; the walls are almost finished. In case you wonder; there will be windows and doors, but this is how log homes are built; walls first and then the 4 trusses will go up. From my bank account I can clearly see these walls are not paid by Mexico. But at least it’s finally starting to take shape.

The trees behind the house will keep the extension cool

No, that tiny door opening will not be the final size, but for now it's the only way in. — No, that tiny door opening will not be the final size, but for now it’s the only way in.

One should not be too scared of heights working on Log homes... — One should not be too scared of heights working on Log homes…

The color difference between the lower and higher logs should be gone after Wood Renewer and Cedar coloured protection goes on.

Decked

February 2, 2016NewsFoundationbkrijger

Having a Pier & Beam foundation has one little drawback; there is no default floor in-between the Piers.
Luckily, the builders have made a Deck , which is the basis for the final flooring.

So now from higher up it looks like this;

And from the side;

Or from the front;

I kinda like the way it looks; a lot better than a slab; imagine how much concrete would be needed to fill up all the space under the deck.
And of course, it is great storage place, for instance for logs for the fireplace.

I’ve got the power!

February 2, 2016NewsPowerbkrijger

No, not the Snap! song from 1990, but actual temporary power coming from the power pole on the lot 🙂
This is a shot showing the power line that runs from my pole to the one on the street.

In a closed box (opened on this picture) there are 4 sockets waiting for appliances.

Beams on Piers

January 27, 2016News, UncategorizedFoundationbkrijger

Last week the work on the foundation has gone well, and the piers are now connected by Beams, hence the name Pier and Beam foundation.

Piers peeping out

January 20, 2016NewsFoundationbkrijger

Concrete pouring has started this week and the 23 pier bases are filled, with the rebar sticking out where the next section of the piers will be.

Tomorrow the piers will be brought up to the needed height.

Ready for the next wash-out

January 20, 2016Newsdrivewaybkrijger

This week the driveway has been secured by adding concrete to the entry and exit points of all culvert pipes.
To the left are the two pipes that hopefully now take the water under the driveway rather than taking the base away.

From above this barrier should guide the water into the pipes.

On the roadside the big culvert pipe is now set in concrete on both ends.
This should be 100% rain proof.

Pier and Beam foundation

January 18, 2016NewsFoundationbkrijger

Last week the work finally started on the foundation.
There will be 23 concrete piers, that will be connected with concrete beams, hence the name Pier and Beam foundation.
The logs are now on the lot also; behind the red pick-up.

The red lines show the height at which the foundation will be. As the cabin will be built on a slope,
there is a good 5 feet difference between the back and the front.

As you can see above, the back of the cabin will line up with the big oak trees, and as that is facing south,
the shade should help keep the cabin a bit cooler in the summer.

It’s a cover up

December 15, 2015NewsSepticbkrijger

It’s official; it’s a cover up. That is to say that the septic installation is covered up leaving just the power connection and 3 stages lids visible.

Not sure if the white thingy in the picture below is a spray head or an air outlet, but we will see.

The contractor informed me that it got inspected and approved also, so I should be good to go. Literally… 😉

See the little pinkish puck on the picture below? That’s one of the spray heads, that during the night, after purification, spray the excess water onto the land.

I’m not sceptic, I’m a septic

December 11, 2015NewsSepticbkrijger

Please allow me to introduce myself; I’m septic not to be confused with sceptic,
although with the amount of time has made me a little sceptic.
Comal county clerks were giving me a hard time and demanded some changes to the original septic design.
But after many many many months, finally some construction action; today the septic tank is going in.
This water purification factory has three stages of filtering, from crap in to almost drinkable water out,
although I would not want to drink it myself 😉

Ozuye Lodge

B's log home