Day 25

Unbelievable! The stones have more or less been done. Great work by Dan, Chris and Wayne. They only have to cut in the edges to finish the driveway.

Day 24

The fine gravel layer is being laid.

Garden Days 22 & 23

These two days have been very busy, with the front garden now ready for the stones to be laid - probably on Wednesday. The borders are loking great - just enough room for an extra parking space where the grass used to be. Dan is busy making the steps up into the back garden, then Trevor will be along to do the lighting.

Garden Day 21

Rain stopped play! So nothing can get done apart from sending the little digger on its way.

Garden Day 20

The front garden is going great guns - having dug it out, tons of drainage stuff is going down as we have to have a porous surface by law to prevent flooding. Then the brick surface layer will go down on top. This will be 'brindle mix' as that is the popular choice around the area. Dan and A have chosen a black brick for the edging - I was out at the time!
In the back, the guys have dug out the bog garden area and it is now lined with the membrane. It is also 60 cms deep and the lining gets filled with rubble and is topped with special boggy soil. The membrane is perforated halfway up to allow some drainage, but the water in the bottom keeps the bog damp.

Garden Day 19

The guys are concentrating on the front today. This is all following Rebecca's plan.
A digger arrived along with a pneumatic drill, but the tarmac was too much for the drill and a larger one came in exchange! Old sleepers and tiles have been claimed by our neighbours on either side - freecycle without the advertising! But now its pretty tricky getting in and out of the house, and A has arranged for some wine to be delivered this evening. Hmmm

Garden Day 18

Looking much the same, but Chris has been busy digging out the bog garden at the bottom right. Dan is leaping ahead with the brickwork around the pond, which he is keeping under wraps.

Garden Day 17

End of the week and everything is so tidy.

Garden Day 16

Progress on the pond under the blue cover!

Garden Day 14 & 15

What a downpour! Suddenly the rain came and all work had to stop. The pond was filling up rapidly and the mortar was threatening to wash away, so the blue 'tent' was erected and the lads called it a day. Then this morning bright and early, they arrived for an inspection and left again to help plant up another garden that was hit by the rain, yesterday. I think their plants needed to get in the ground, whereas our brick laying can wait. Pity, though as today has been lovely apart from one mighty dowpour after lunch. So little progress for these two days.

Garden Day 13

Another early morning photo. More steps on the left and foundations for steps up into the garden, which are just out of shot - hidden by the roof. It's raining today so don't know if there'll be much progress!

Garden Day 12

They finished in the dark last night, so this is an early morning photo. The pond has got its liner and all associated sand, felt and waterproof underlay. One more layer of breeze blocks and the liner doubles back over and is sealed down with the edging stones, I think. Two lots of steps are complete and the third is just started. Soon the electricals will be going in - for the waterfall and lights. Hope the weather is still kind to us, but it looks grim for Sunday.

Garden Day 11

Rebecca's design is really taking shape as Dan and the guys get stuck in.

Garden Day 10

The steps are going in and the pond is taking shape.