Over the past five to ten years my mom (with help from my dad and sisters) has been making a stone staircase at the weekend house. It has taken a very long time, as her skill increases so much as she moves from step to step that by the time she reaches the end, she is no longer satisfied with the first few, and has to start over.
She moves the stones by hand with levers and rollers from refuse piles left over from the Civil-War-era construction of the house, and cuts them to shape with hammer and chisel. Each step is seated on a concrete base, once all the stones are fitted.
December 2003
From the top:
From the side:
Detail of a step:
May 2004
This is the oldest part. It will probably be replaced, and a retaining wall added where the tumbled rocks are.
August 2005
Detail of a step. Skills have improved:
December 2006
View from above:
The patio at the bottom, adjoining the area under the porch:
A bit closer view from above:
Closeup shot looking down the steps:
An unfinished step at the top:
