Stage 5 Spring Project

Day 14 is a late starter as the lads are collecting the final bits and bobs. This enables the Bumblebee and I to discuss the planting schemes for the coming seasons for the planters.

The top stones for the seat/planters have arrived. The leftover pieces will be broken up a bit for the bottom of each planter, and the interior is going to have a waterproof coating applied before filling with soil.

The step is being installed.

These are the stones being used for the step from the house. They will match the stones used for the seat.

Dave has kindly agreed to re-bed the steps down to the bottom garden that have worked loose since installation by the previous owners with the remaining cement to save wasting it.

A quick tour round before the light fades to show the finished step from the patio doors,

The gravel edges....

And under the tarpaulin is the finished seat and planters.

Tomorrow the top soil arrives!

Day 13 Spring Project

Almost there.

The patio is pretty much finished now. The pointing up was completed last night with the aid of external lighting as it was well into the evening before Gavin and Trevor would give up.

Tomorrow begins the next stage with the step, seat and edges being installed.

Day 12 Spring Project

Bacon and egg sandwiches, mugs of hot tea and a few sweet treats kept Gavin, Dave and Trev topped up today.

Friends came to visit and see how the work is progressing. We took a trip out to the garden centre for a couple of hours to leave the guys to their grafting.

There's just a little more pointing up to do, complete the top section, add the step from the doors, filling up of the planters with topsoil and the seat to finish!

Day 11 Spring Project

Despite working alone yesterday and today, Gavin has been working like a trooper.

He worked until the light faded again today. Dave is back tomorrow along with a third person to help with completion.

I wonder if another visit to the garden centre might help with inspiration for the new planters...

Day 10 - Spring Project

As previously mentioned, the electricians arrived to fit the spotlights today.

They are fitted into both risers of the raised patio and there is one in front of each of the planters.

The main patio was almost completed and it looks like Gavin and Dave can begin work on the upper levels tomorrow.

Day 9 - Stage 4

Yes I know that I have missed out Day 8, but Gavin has been a little below par with "man flu" which eventually took its toll and he phoned in sick yesterday. The only event of note therefore was a delivery of finer hardcore and sand.

So this morning, bright and early (Bumblebee and myself still breakfasting) the chaps cracked on fuelled with McCoffee

Dave wackaplated (is that even a verb?) the finer hardcore, before preparing the mix for the pavers...

 with Gavin laying the first level of patio using our original slabs.

Tomorrow the lads will continue laying the patio. I believe the electrician will be coming to fit the lights, then the new patio (below) can be laid.

They've managed to get almost identical slabs for the new levels. It's all coming together now. 

Day 7 - Spring Project

Although it doesn't appear that much has happened with the project, a fair bit has been done today.

The housings for the spotlights were replaced with larger ones and cemented in place.

The hardcore was spread out properly and tamped down once concrete panels were put in place along the kickboards of the fence.

And finally the main part of the patio was leveled and tramped down in preparation for the next stage.