We did it ! Back filling of CRC2A is completed on day seven.

The view this morning, shovelling crew at the ready in the distance.

 There was an additional day's work on Monday, which resulted in the completion of the penultimate layer, layer no. 4. Seven volunteers came to help. Today we were six, and above is the sight that faced us first thing in the morning.

Little and Large.

To complete the job, we had between three and four truck loads of infill to shift, using these tiny little 1T dumpers, with big brother making an appearance behind, just to let us know what sort of equipment exists if you really want. But we need to use the small ones, to get behind the platform.

There was a steady flow of rubble today, brought by the 10T dumper.

The rubble supply issue seems to have resolved itself, and we received a steady stream of 10T loads from the big dumper, rather than the more infrequent 20T loads from the two eight wheelers. The yellow stuff proved very difficult to shift by hand, and we were pleased to see that the supply had reverted to crushed concrete, with its accompanying bits of rebar and plastic debris in it. Yes, something is definitely being knocked down somewhere.

The class 37 makes an appearance.

Today was a running day, which is more fun. When the train comes we have to stop, but no matter, we can sit down on the 'terrace' with tea and watch the fun and games. Like when the engine driver has so much to say to us, he forgets to pick up the token offered to him from the window of the box :-)

Doing it the long way round

That amused us more than it should have... when the loco came back to couple up, the signalman had a second go from ground level. Oh well.

Then back to work:

One of the last loads goes in.

Towards the middle of the afternoon, the fifth and final layer reached to top of the ramp Yessss! At this point I must mention and indeed show respect for the principal shovellers, Brian and John. It is amazing how many tons they pushed and shovelled around, to get each layer level and spread out. Brilliant, guys. Such stamina, and in this heat and dust too. Well done, medals all round.

The completed back fill of CRC2A.

This was the view mid afternoon, with the back filling as such completed. Still to do: rolling, and final leveling with scalpings. This meant that in fact we had to go back for a sixth layer as it were, dumpering a Fairview lorry load of scalping in little piles, which were spread out using a board and a level by the team plus John C. Don't forget that after placing the heavy edging slabs, the final 4 inches still need to go on too.

Reason for celebration.

As we drove away with the last empty dumpers, the team congratulated itself with a set of 'high fives'. You can be proud of what you did, guys. You worked the hardest of all of us.

End of the day - the dumper is up high!

Our last act of the day was to bring up the scalpings, and dump them in small piles along the top of the infilled platform. These piles will be spread out during our next working day, Monday 23rd June. Our 7 day working week is at an end, and we will now revert to normal Mondays at CRC. Don't forget - we are the Broadway gang, so we won't be sitting down until then, there will be Wednesday and Saturday at Broadway too. Come and see us, mooch around in Marguerite's shop ! Your pleasure is our financial gain.