Friday, 21 December 2007

Merry Christmas and deadlines submitted....:)

Hmm.....in at 7.45 - solved the problems and got the drawings done, printed full size and A3 sets, filed away for document control issue, tidied up...........................long lunch........pub.....tidy up emails.........off to pub..................there are compensations.......:)

Thursday, 20 December 2007

I hate deadlines just before Xmas....

Why do contractors put deadlines just before the Xmas break? Is it really fruitful having people trying to make decisions just before they fly off/go shopping/paralytically drunk.....? It's 9.30pm on a Thursday night, I've been out the past 3 nights - needed to get home tonight to tidy and do laundry and there I was trying to learn photoshop at 5.30pm..........my brain is about to explode and can't wait for the architect's comments tomorrow when he finds out my very late drawing is even later......bring on xmas....sob :(

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

oh help - construction details....

Trying to get to grips with construction details of university of reading today - got thrown off drainage co-ordination as director thought he would be better doing that - hmm...agreed! so DDA regulations, tactile paving, macadam, concrete setts etc - stairs, ramps, low walls......oh and a drawing to be re-issued for Milton Keynes academy tomorrow.....and everyone is sneaking out for their xmas break....we're down to just a few of us hard hearted souls.... :)

Monday, 17 December 2007

Commencing engineering co-ordination!

Hopefully this will be the start of a daily blog letting you know what I'm doing every day at work - will probably be very short, and any questions you have, just ask! Came in after the tutorial today thinking there would be loads to do on Milton Keynes Academy as people head off on holiday and drawings need to be done for the enabling works, but find out Mr Jones wants to do some re-design, so halt on that one. Have started work on Reading University - need to do some co-ordination on drainage, so first task is to overlay drainage layout over our ground levels - and yes the manholes are sitting above our ground level - also need to overlay lighting and check positions there. Of course, this was all due yesterday............... :)

Saturday, 1 December 2007

Thames Barrier Park 2






Trees are all in good condition, species include Quercus robur, various types of Betula, Carpinus betulus. Mish mash of plants between the 'waves' of yew (which are becoming holey). Lavender not successful, miscanthus and rosemary are. Huge banks of Lonicera nitida along the edges work really well.

Thames Barrier Park photos






The park was well-maintained but isolated despite been next to a DLR station. Only local residents - no clear entrance from the main road. No graffiti, no rubbish, good pavilion cafe. Some damage to corners of granite and concrete benches where they hadn't been chamfered. 3 rows of granite setts are used to demarcate between areas of gravel.