It's Faswall time!

The block arrived!  YAY!  Only one hitch...his lift gave out with two pallets left, so he had to leave them at the bottom of the driveway.  But, not a big issue, Gene just loaded them in the little trailer that he pulls with his little 'tractor'.  Took 6 loads, but it wasn't too bad.  (I can say that because I just watched.)

The load of 16 pallets. 

Up the driveway.
This lift wasn't designed for inclines, so the drive mechanism overheated with 2 loads left.

Laying Block

After figuring out some critical staging strategy, we're off!!

This stuff is as easy as we thought.  Had the first course done in about 90 min.  That includes some schleppin' of block and figuring out what went where and what to cut or not to cut*.

Gene's thrilled with the first block down!

But, realllllly thrilled with the first course done!

Now, we get to bend some rebar, schlepp more block into the swimming pool and go up another course.  Good thing I'm really buff and can bend the rebar with my bare hands.  But first things first, it's time for dinner and a martini to celebrate!  I'll bend the rebar tomorrow (after Fred brings the better rebar bender).

* Clarification - Yes, there are instances where a block needs to be cut.  At the dimensions of our building there is one half block per side.  The blocks cut are specifically made to be cut.  A circular saw with a carbide blade is used.  It's really no big deal.  Not much more than cutting a 2x8 board.  A reciprocating saw can also be used on these block.  They can also be drilled into easily.  This is some of the beauty of this block over regular masonry block.  The other big one is that it's dry stacked...no mortar between blocks or courses.