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Post by kk on Dec 19, 2016 17:06:02 GMT -5
Congrats Rick. Well deserved on both accounts. Superb materials with excellent workmanship.
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Post by kk on Dec 17, 2016 7:24:26 GMT -5
OK, added new pictures to post above for the voting-stage. Thanks for looking, Kurt
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 21:39:30 GMT -5
Long walk to carry wster. Worth it I bet. Nothing like isolation for peace n quiet! Actually the water-run is not that bad. There is water for cooking abut 15min away. And if repaired, I could have running water at the house eventually, but the whole line would have to be replaced to a 100%.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 20:31:55 GMT -5
Catch rain in a cistern for non drinking water. A condensation collector is easy and cheap. It works from nite coolness and then the sun hits it and condensation forms and runs down into the cistern. Yep those things are in consideration for a later date. Pending on the weight on my back, between 1 hour 40 to 2 hour 50. Solar panels are expensive and not in the cards for now. Great project and nice retreat! can I ask- who owns it? Will it be a case of someone kicking you off the property once you are done with your investment in it? Just wondering because here in the US, I would expect that to happen. Thats a universal problem in cultures of greed, and here we are on the forefront with it. Yes, its a problem that we see only too often. The owner is an accomplished author of historical books on the Silkroad and the Golden triangle as well as a scholar on those and similar topics. Technically retired (76 years old), financially secure and self-confessed alcoholic. Unlike most people around here on the island, he did not join in the general land-grab, and I'm told he only owns the house he lives in (unlike others of his financial standing who now own houses by the dozens for nothing more than speculations). He owns the cabin since the early 70's and has no interest in selling (which I do belief)as he holds on to it out of ideology. The property up there is quite unique as the title is for the land, not the house on the land. So its one of less that 20 properties in Hong Kong where one actually owns the land (not lease-hold). The only reason for concern at this point is his eventual passing, and knowing that his son is nothing like him. But in the end, I told him, that because of the weak agreement, I would invest in time, but not quality if quality comes at a financial cost above poket-money. Repairs will be done as well as I can undertake them on a shoestring budget. He has acknowledged that, and seems to understand and accept the reasoning behind it. By the end of the day, regardless what is going to happen, I will enjoy the puzzle, physical and mental challenges while they last. Holding on to something to tight always ends in disappointments. And in the meantime will get to know other owners up there and possibly find a replacement if things go sour. Caretakers are always in need, and I know there are at least 5 houses where the owners do not live in Hong Kong anymore and only return once or twice a year. I'm sure once a reputation is gained, deals could be worked out.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 9:43:48 GMT -5
Very cool project. Beautiful area. First thing I thought of was - good place for a telescope. While the air is cleaner up there, the sight of stars is not much better than at sea-level 2400 feet down. Hong Kong must be one of the cities that creates light-pollution that still could be seen from the moon or farther out. And we have 3 similar cities nearby. So fat chance to get a clean sight of the stars. One never realty realizes that, living here. I only got aware last year visiting home in Austria and seeing the milky way the first time in more than 30 years. That was absolutely amazing, and one of my 4 favorite memories from my trip.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 8:26:50 GMT -5
They happen from time to time. Hence I have the agreement with the owner to replace all the outer shutters with metal, and keep a clear ring of soil (eventually paved with stone) of about 3 yards around the house. No trees nearby, so any fire blows over fairly quickly without getting too hot to really do damage.
The BBQ is set in a corner that has the least chance of strong winds blowing in and will use charcoal when using it. Inside the house, at first I will use camping-stove, later we will get a proper gas-stove (but those gas-canisters are dang heavy to carry).
All the wood accumulated over time, will be serving a bonfire after heavy rain someday.
The problem is simply that hikers often do not respect anyone's property, so while we are fully aware of the dangers, they might start careless fires while no-one is there. At my friends house, someone started a campfire using the wall of the house as the back of it earlier this year.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 8:13:50 GMT -5
Happy B'day. Wish you all the best and many more prosperous and "healthy" ones to come.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 7:52:27 GMT -5
Target shelter for you Kurt. Norway. Hauling the 'lumber' may be an issue. I GOT to build the fire pit. Love the pit. Gonna do it. No pit for us there. We got tall grass (up to 7foot) all around us. Would not want to risk a wild-fire due to fly-ash. But will create a small BBQ out of mortar.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 7:46:39 GMT -5
kk in 3 months. I did similar in Florida. Not that primitive but no condo. A basic hut to a fine destination with little maintenance is something most do not grasp. So many people have plushy vacation properties. Guess what, they spend about all their time maintaining spending and worrying about it. All you need is water food and shelter. Killer outdoor resources and beauty for you to enjoy there Kurt. The city is hectic enough. Its good to get out and away for some time. Primitive, yes, yet phone works, so does internet, but just cant recharge them that easily. Needs a bit more planing overall, but air is better up there, and I find the overall atmosphere brings out surprising manners in people you think you know very well. Mind you, hiking is becoming popular around here, so its not that quiet up there either. In absence of machinery you can hear people talk a mile away if the wind is right. Spacefiller: Yes, I used expandable foam to replace some failing mortar between the two stacks of stone-rows early on in October. a.) to dry out the wall, and b.) to fill up rather big empty spaces. No need for a body like that! You know what they say about big muscles and failings farther down! I have been at about 80kg for most of my life, and then two years ago suddenly jumped to 100kg. I'm more than happy if I get back to 80.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 1:37:49 GMT -5
That is so cool ! Definitely gonna be worth the effort . In the second picture you can see how close we are to the city of 8 million people. The airport not 4 miles as the crow flies, yet you can sit out and never realize any of it (night or day). I like it, and health benefits are "visible" already only after one trip a week for two months.
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Post by kk on Dec 13, 2016 0:41:23 GMT -5
Remember my project with the kids this past summer To get them out of the house for a while......? I'm back up there since end of September, every week once, and just signed a gentleman agreement with one of the owners for a small cabin. At one Dollar a year in rent in return for fixing up the place and keeping it in a reasonable state, I get unlimited use for the next 5 years guaranteed. Its a hell of a lot of work, considering there is no power and no water anywhere, and all supplies need to be carried in (usually takes me about 2.5 to 3 hours one way with an average of 60-70pounds on the back). But alone the sunrises on the way make it my kinda church... After two months of just carrying in sand, cement and other supplies, it was time to start up with repairs. One of the biggest problem is one outer wall who shows visible neglect of 50 years. Lucky enough, those walls are a foot thick and consist of two layers of rocks. Only the outer layer is affected, so no structural problem. The inside now starts to finally show visible improvement. Biggest challenge are the windows. South Kitchen And East window. Just brought up an outer shutter two days ago and mounted. Will secure that better next Monday. All of that type of work is completely new to me. Its a huge puzzle, as I have never done something like that before. Its fun, using nothing but the things you got laying around. Straight lines??? Never! but will work out in the end. View from roof Hope to have it reasonably made up by Easter. Next up, shelves and working top for kitchen, then beautify basic BBQ outside and Rock-bench. January, sorting out small things and paint by February. After that, a few pieces of homemade furniture. All the while working outer wall a little at a time. As of right now, a little improvement can be seen from the outside. Thanks for looking, Kurt To be continued, when things improve visibly............
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Post by kk on Dec 9, 2016 17:45:19 GMT -5
Personally, I dont trust glue. How about drilling to a depth of at least one chainlink and then polishing it out to make invisible before using epoxy. I believe you need a dremel correct? I have yet to purchase one I currently only own a regular drill for household duties. I do have epoxy.. Yep, Dremel or Fordome would be handy for work like that, but if you got Diamond bits, you could do it also with your drill too. Fluorite is not very hard, so it should go fairly quick. But be careful, fluorite does have a temperament. I tossed the last (and only one) I worked out because it fractured on me constantly.
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Post by kk on Dec 8, 2016 22:28:54 GMT -5
Personally, I dont trust glue. How about drilling to a depth of at least one chainlink and then polishing it out to make invisible before using epoxy.
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Post by kk on Dec 6, 2016 20:17:55 GMT -5
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Post by kk on Dec 6, 2016 13:20:19 GMT -5
Ahh, then the search for the trade-name in US continues. I just remember having seen some outlandish name. Was it Atlantisite then?
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Post by kk on Dec 6, 2016 8:17:50 GMT -5
Was looking for some Breccia or Conglomerate material for another challenge, when I came across this Stichite in Serpentine from Tamania (I think it also goes under Amazonite), and remembered the theme of the month here calling for green or red. One thing that cought my eye in this months Challenge description is the note on "hand-made". So what better opportunity than using a soft material like that. First cut rough preform with Foredome, and then did the rest entirely by hand using files and sanding paper up to 5000 grid. Here a quick picture for the time being..... Edit: Adding new pictures. Choose either one for the voting...... Thanks for looking, Kurt
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Post by kk on Nov 30, 2016 1:58:00 GMT -5
That jade and magnetite is nice stuff. The magnetite can be gold plated after cabbing. Imagine. Gold crystals in black jade. Have not seen any plated ones in a long while, but the ones I remember from the 90's always looked absolutely fab.....
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Post by kk on Nov 28, 2016 21:06:12 GMT -5
Agree.
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Post by kk on Nov 28, 2016 20:49:27 GMT -5
A long time ago, I got a few slabs that contained opal and agate seams. A really wild mixture. Loved working with it. If you ever come across material like that, please give me a shout-out, as I would love to get more.
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Post by kk on Nov 28, 2016 20:45:55 GMT -5
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