Almost sunk

It looked for a while like we were going to be hauling hoses all winter. I have to laugh thinking about how we carefully leveled the frame for the cement pad for our Li'l Springs waterer, because it rained hard the day after we poured it and the whole thing sunk at a 45 degree angle - about a foot. We didn't compact the ground enough when we filled the trench in. But last week, in the nick of time, the day before the temperatures took a nose dive, the guys came back, levered the pad up and filled under it with shale and rock.

We gave it a few days to make sure it continued to operate and today we opened the space up to the horses! Why do we always cut these things so close?

Pad pouring 101

Here's another first for Bob and I. It's been a week and a half since the trench was dug. Last Saturday, Pete, the well guy, connected the fittings and we now have a water spigot inside the loafing shed (it can be used year round!!!) and the water supply is ready to be attached to the waterer. Except for one thing. We need a cement pad to attach the waterer to.

So yesterday, I took off work at noon to help Bob pour the 3' square by 4" thick cement pad. He built the frame last Sunday and I spent whatever daylight time I had after work these last few days setting it in and leveling it.

We've never poured a pad before, but I think it turned out well. Bob mixed and poured. I used an edger to round the edges and a broom to put the sweep marks in. Then we signed it.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be great. Highs in the 60's. I'm taking the afternoon off and we'll be working on raking and leveling the dirt piles and spreading some seed. I just hope the grass will take hold and we won't have too much mud in spring