Builders, beds, bricks and a scene from the wooden horse.
By seaburngirl
23 comments
Lets have a conservatory says hubby. It will be nice to sit in when I have retired. [Notice the I, not the we…] So we wandered around the garden deciding where the conservatory will extend to.
Now outside the lounge we have, sorry had, a 4mx2m concrete patio and then a raised bed that extended a further 2m into the garden. The raised bed is one of two either side of the raised pond. It was decided that we would build it as big as possible, so the task of lifting all the plants from the raised bed fell to me.
That was a pleasant enough task as many plants split naturally and they were duly potted up. I found 100’s of bulbs and I hope I have potted them correctly, snowdrops with snow drops etc. I then had to think about where the plants are to go. The raised bed at the otherside of the pond has not really been used much and tends to be a nursery bed. So I took the good top soil and refilled this bed. That took care of 5 barrow loads.
Raised bed , raised no more :o(
The remaning 10 barrow loads of good soil were carefully added to the other borders of the garden. In a manner that I can only describe as being from the prisoner of war movies so popular during the 60’s and 70’s. A little bit here and a little bit there so it would be hardly noticed. Often wondered why the German guards never noticed but you know lot of soil goes a long way.
Top dressed bed.
Then the fun started, the concrete patio, conversation a little like…
builder ‘yep wont take long, looks pretty thin’
OH ’ so one skip do you reckon?’
Builder ’ definitely we’ll make a start next week’
OH ‘might take a hamer to the walls of the raised bed then, help clear the way’
builder’ yes that would be good.’
Needless to say the plans of man and beast dont go smoothly. Brick wall is easily knocked down and 3 trips to the tip with the unusable bricks gets that tided away. Now at this point I say ‘leave the rest for the builder’. That was the daftest thing I could have said. Over the next 2 days sledge hammer and bolster chisel came into their own. The concrete at its thinnest was 6" and at its thickest 10". We filled 2 8 cubic metre skips in as many days. and the we is not the royal we but hubby and me. Muscles ached but well when a job needs doing it gets done. [unless its housework!]
Now I know why breaking rocks was called ‘hard labour’
The builder, when he arrived on the Sunday is delighted that all they have to do is dig the footings. [5.5 m x 3.5m] By this point the garden is down to clay with a bit of chalk. Another skip later it is ready for the foundations to be poured. So the job for the Monday is to mix the concrete, fill the footings and leave it to set.
7am Monday, door bell goes and I am met by a cheerful builders merchant with gravel/ hardcore and cement. The load is dropped on the drive, well on the borders too [sob!] and with a coment on the torrential rain he drives off. The footings are now full of water and I decide to go to Sunderland to visit my brother. I need to walk on the beach and forget about builders, beds and bricks.
Here ends part 1 of this tale: there are photos but will they load? no chance.
2 Sep, 2010
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Comments
thanks pip c. finally got one photo to load after 7 goes. nearly 1am so I had better get off to bed. Poppy rabbit off to the vet at 8am to be neutered so must get up!
3 Sep, 2010
Tee hee... happy neutering tomorrow LOL
3 Sep, 2010
The most poignant part of your interesting and amusing blog is the "of mice and men " bit. especially where 'builders' are concerned lol.
It's a splendid idea though. Once you settle in you'll wonder how you managed before you had one, and will use it all the time.
I hesitate to mention this but you didn't mention anything about 'Planning' the local authority kind !!!!! You know who I mean, those little people who wear cuff links play golf and are able to tell you how to live your life.
you've made a good start, hope it continues.
3 Sep, 2010
Sounds lovely - it'll bring the garden to you during the winter. Just think of all the plants you can now have and winter them in the conservatory - lol
3 Sep, 2010
Very amusing blog Sbg, sounds a bit like our house, if there is some bashing and crashing to do, then my oh is on the job in his size ten's !!! BUT rebuilding forget it, hilarious. Look forward to part 2/3 & 4 Lol !!!!!
3 Sep, 2010
That takes me back,Sbg...but like Heron says,you won't regret it...we spend most of our time in ours.and the best thing we ever did...well worth all the hassle.
My OH likes watching TV,and I don't watch much at all,so it is my space to look out at the garden,watch the birds etc..and have the occasional nap.Lol.
Wonderful...oh,and play on my here to my hearts content...The joys are endless...We didn't need planning permission,as it is officially classed as a Sun lounge,as the roof is a flat one..,well,a sloping flat one,if that makes sense,with being on a bungalow,and has a polycarbonate roof,which helps to shade the sun ...they get very hot at times..
3 Sep, 2010
You are hard workers! Your blog was interesting and entertaining...made for a great read. Waiting in anticipation of further installments, Sbg. I'm sure all your efforts will be well rewarded when you can sit back in your conservatory and relax. :)
3 Sep, 2010
How lovely to have a conservatory but all that hard work before hand! Looking forward to reading about the builders progress. :o)
3 Sep, 2010
planning consent applied for but not needed, so no worries there heron. Oh yes lots of hard work and more to come.
i am going to try and upload more photos for this blog.
3 Sep, 2010
Hard work but i'm sure you will appreciate the conservatory in the winter Sbg , summer as well Hubby might even let you sit in it .... LOL... I shall look forward to the next chapter ... ......
3 Sep, 2010
Oh dear, poor you, still, be worth it in the end. Its that dread word "builders" - strikes a chill into the heart of any gardener, doesn't it, not unlike inviting a steam roller in and letting it loose in your garden...
5 Sep, 2010
No wonder your flowers wore a coat of concrete! You were very brave to get on with all this yourself - or should that read 'crazy'? LOL.
It'll all be a distant memory once the conservatory's up and doing....:-)))
5 Sep, 2010
the actual brick work has been done by a builder as OH wants it done 'Yesterday' :o)
5 Sep, 2010
Of course! I bet you'll be pleased too....in the long run, anyway. ;-)
5 Sep, 2010
getting more exicted as I get used to the asymmetry of the beds now.
Happier bunny now too, she's eating and pooping better but doesnt like her antibiotics. Should have an undisturb night tonight :o)
5 Sep, 2010
A great entertaining blog Seaburn, isnt life fun. Just know you`ll get so much pleasure from your Conservatory, after all you deserve it.
5 Sep, 2010
You 'must' get your sleep now you're back at work! I'm pleased about Poppy. :-))
6 Sep, 2010
Your blog was certainly amusing, sbg, though all that hard work wore you out! looking forward to the next instalment!
6 Sep, 2010
enjoyed the blog sea,, and looking forward to seeing it all come along, lucky you i keep hinting on a conservatory but not working lol, glad you enjoyed going to see your brother and a nice walk on beach ;o))
7 Sep, 2010
It will all be worth it. Just imagine sitting in their on cool spring and autumn days!
10 Sep, 2010
I'm impressed by how hard you worked to get it right - I dug up a bit of turf today and was shocked by how long it took and how hard it was (had a baby in June so I have a bit of an excuse but it really shouldn't have taken me that long!). I'm looking forward to seeing the 'what happened next' pics...
11 Sep, 2010
kept looking at it today. all the rain makes it look like a paddling pool. part 2 hoepfully tomorrow night if all homework done etc :o)
11 Sep, 2010
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Good luck Seaburngirl! Very entertaining blog.... hope it turns out well for you!!!!!
2 Sep, 2010