So as there seems to be a block on construction too near the spawn point, Ive offset a bit and started to lay the groundwork of a much larger basecamp than originally planned. See below.
Starting out, 5 mins in. There was a sand dune mixed with earth that needed levelling. The lit up bit to the right is "the mine" where I am getting the rock (and some coal and iron from)
Nearly levelled, just a little bit in the distance
Same time but from up on the mountaintop.
Finished levelling it.
Im having a break for dinner now, back in an hour. The plan though is to remove all the sand and have a 100% cobblestone floor. There are chests along one side of the wall now that are for wood, stone, metal and tools. Ill expand upon this later, I just made them to offload my inventory. There is also a cave in the area which Ive pegged out, Ive not gone down there yet but I wont block it in, though I might tidy up the entrance.