What’s been happening

Turk progress
While the Covid restrictions were at level 3 (construction activities permitted) a small group of us completed preparation and had the Spray Foam insulation applied. Previous Turks have used a flat sheet insulation similar to a sleeping mat that is cut with a knife and fitted to the walls. The spray foam allows for the insulation to be bonded onto the tank (yes it does stick) with no interface for moisture to accumulate. It also allows for insulation to be applied to the domed (complex curve) ceiling. While a bit more expensive, I think the result will be vastly superior in warmth than previous Turk builds.

Materials strategically positioned
The goal is to get the Turks in place for use this winter, however it might arrive with vengeance any day now! To make the most of the warm, settled weather a brave and dedicated team drove 4 sets (2 tons) of Turk bases and Dymaxion toilets up the Skippers Road to Branches Station. The adventure was not for the faint-hearted and Brent Jarvis who drove the truck thought having his appendix removed with no anaesthetic might have been a more pleasant experience. At the narrowest part there was 20mm to spare between the overhanging cliff and the load, with a hand width of space between wheels and a vertical drop a long way down to the river.

I drove the empty truck out and with the wing mirror hitting the cliff on one side realised if I opened my door I would be stepping into free space with a 200 metre vertical drop to the river below. The image below is on a wider section of the road before the Skippers bridge turnoff. The name of the truck gave us some degree of confidence.