Staircase Complete!
Posted: September 11th, 2010 | Author: Devon | Filed under: Italy, Umbria, Work | 4 Comments »
Behold, the finished staircase! Over a metric ton of stone, set in sockets carved out of bedrock, all with hand tools, ingenuity, and honest sweat. Until the art grant comes through for my forty-foot equestrian self-portrait, this may be the most permanent thing I’ll ever have worked on.
Fellow HelpX-er Jonathan is responsible for steps 7 through 12. He described his sculptor’s task as “a pain” (bedrock and an angle grinder were involved) but ultimately worth it. He reports the staircase has also survived its first major rainstorm (we were worried the steps might just slip down the muddy hill), so it may end up servicing the needs of our Umbrian host and guests for many years. 
Fabulous!!!
Such a feeling of accomplishment. Suggest furry thyme for the landscaping portion of the project. Or, whatever wants to grow all on its own.
What I think is most spectacular about this architectural feat is… it looks like it’s been there for centuries.
Congratulations guys! May those who ascend and descend feel gratitude for not having to scramble up and down a dirt incline to access the outbuilding.
Wow!! That’s amazing, Dev! It’s nice to see your ideas take form.
Yeah, easier than producing movies, right? Hope you guys enjoy the rest of the time and we will look forward to seeing you when you return.