Back on site in Ellon to a very cold, rainy and windy beginning to week two, with little improvement forecasted for the week. We work with Fraser, the site manager from Scotia, to erect scaffolding and a cover to shield off some of the rain and wind.

Once the cover is finally up; the rain inevitably lets up. Nonetheless, the masons work through the weather, building up the rubble wall and doweling in the next level of pad stones for the bases of the posts. It is inspiring to see the morale of guys really wanting to be out on the site learning through this experience, even through the challenging weather. When the winds did force us inside the canteen, we all sat with Andrew discussing the business side of a construction job, writing up contracts, drawing geometric patterns and letter carving, Michelangelo and the lost art to crafts today.

Once the second level of pad stones are in place, these must all be re-checked with the level so that a flat base remains to erect the timber frame when it arrives. Tom checks the levels with the laser below.

As stones are placed into the walls, they must each be dressed or pinned so that the wall remains an even, flat surface. Calvin uses a piece of timber as the guide.

Building site with cover on a windy day