It always begins with digging a hole :)

I cut first turf in starting the mega mini-WASP project this afternoon.  Beautiful hot sunny day, too hot for hard labour really but I thought I’d better get started with the obligatory hole in the ground before the ground turned to stone.  So here are some shots of the beginnings of the mini-WASP array – kind of sobering to think that these humble beginnings will (hopefully) end up producing one of the most powerful amateur imaging facilities on the planet 🙂  Had to move the washing line as this was sitting in precisely the place I need to put the concrete pier base.  Having moved the line it was out with the spade and digging up the gravel ridden clay soil – so sticky, heavy and stony.  I am aiming to put 4 foot of concrete into the ground with 1 foot of concrete above ground – cross-section is 20 x 20 inches.  Once the hole is finished it will be a big order into Wickes for all the concrete, sand, concrete mixer, and the wooden decking.  At least I’ve made a start 🙂