the backyard concrete work was completed today with the pouring of the walks and the patio. the walls were cast in standard concrete while the ground plane was cast with a heavier aggregate and exposed. we are very pleased but know that there is still work to do. next is the topsoil, sod (grass), bamboo, bench (supported by 3 pipes cast into wall) and to-be-determined plantings in the planter between the stair and fence. the guys will return for 1 more day next week to strip the forms and acid wash/ seal the conrete.