Well.......I've had a brickie I know in today, and I now know why I couldn't do it myself. The gulf between a keen DIY'er and a proper tradesman is huuuuuuge !!
Because it's eventually going to be supporting a couple of RSJ's he had more of it toothed out and his mortar mix was a joy to behold, lol !!
. And it took him a full day to do it, there's no way I could have done what he did.
Moral of the story, know your limits.......and maximum respect to proper tradesmen