Circles and slate

Yes, another post on my grass circles, but there's good news as we're reaching the end of this project. All, but the final piece of edging is down and our grass is looking less like we've put one of those expandable cake tins around it.  And if you're wondering why we haven't put the last piece of edging down, it's not because we have some weird kind of topping out ceremony planned, but all to do with the fact that the edge was covered with one of those huge tonne bags and full of slate.

So with as much edging down as we could manage, it was time to tackle the membrane and redistributing the aforementioned slate. But where to start?

We decided to tackle one of the larger areas at the back of our garden first so we could practice our techniques and so we didn't botch the most visible part of our garden, the bit that is right in front of the patio.

Looking at what was outside the edging more closely we were once again reminded that our house was built on an old gravel pit, to say we have stony soil is an understatement, I mean just look.

We could have picked out the stones, and in fact could quite easily go into business selling them for a good while, but instead out came the big hammer and some serious arm work got underway - the results are pretty impressive aren't they?

So out came the rolls of membrane. It was much thinner than I'd expected, but it was just like rolling out material and kind of weird. We quickly learnt that the longer the piece of membrane the more effective it's likely to be, and that it's best to secure it first and then cut the shape, leaving plenty of overhang.

Pleased with our progress and learning quickly we shifted our attention to the patio area.

And the results were pretty impressive, and quick - which is definitely my kind of project!

It was clear though that despite having one very large bag delivered (which we'd split into two when we decanted it through the house back in 2013 - how time flies hey?!) it wasn't going to be enough to do the whole garden. When we ordered it we weren't sure, but as the circles were only a glimmer in our eye at that time, we weren't too fussed. We ordered it along with the new patio and therefore saved on delivery fees, I don't think though that either of us thought it would sit in our garden for the next four years!

So tactical decision made, we decided to lay the slate by the patio and then all the way up the left-hand side of the garden up to the greenhouse, and then to complete the area in front of the shed, which I'll show you in a moment. 

But first, I'm enjoying a couple of more arty-farty slate pictures.

And look, the yucca is no longer lolling over the grass, it's staked up - but more on that tomorrow.

And so in one afternoon and evening session we'd laid slate right up to the greenhouse, it makes such a difference, don't you think?

And then we had to tackle the area outside the shed. This has been one of the problem areas in our garden, along with the area in front of the lilac (on the right of the picture). It's not obvious from the photo but there's a distinct change in level from the grass to the paving, and just where our pile of leaf composting black sacks are, there's quite a dip.

So in an attempt to avoid the rest of our free time picking up slate from the path and putting it back where it should be, we installed a piece of the edging as a retaining boundary. Then the membrane, and finally the slate.

And fingers-crossed this will sort one of our problem areas once and for all. I've got a post coming up soon on how we plan to fix the problem area by the lilac too, it's more work (obviously) but I'm quite excited about our plans and how they've come about.

So we need to buy some more slate, I think we can easily use the same amount again, especially as I think we'll need a fair bit by the stone circle and pizza oven area, and I'm resigned to many more trips carrying slate through the house, but at least this time we'll be able to decant them to their final position (she says hopefully!)  - although I suspect this job won't reach the top of our list for a month or two.

So circles and slate - we're almost there - and it was well worth the bravery it took to make those cuts in our lawn last summer.  What do you think?

Community spirit on show in Delacourt Road

Bravo, to the businesses of Delacourt Road in Blackheath who've added some floral cheer and community spirit to the small parade of shops with their Gardening Group Project. I walk down this road, with its small parade of shops each day but as I've had a few days off I've not been up and down the road so much, so it was a lovely surprise to be greeted by the floral adornments as I popped to the local shops earlier today.

Wondering why the garage had left some tyres out I took a closer look.

TYRES AS A PLANTER OUTSIDE THE GARAGE

The card reads: MHA Gardening Group Project for Delaware Road, please respect and enjoy.

And a little further along there was more, a pair of legs relaxing in a garden chair outside the MHA Trust charity shop, who I suspect are behind this, I'm sure.

TAKING IT EASY OUTSIDE THE MHA CHARITY SHOP

Outside the taxi office, a storage crate or chest.

A STORAGE BOX OUTSIDE THE TAXI OFFICE

Outside each of the shops was an item that reflected the nature of their business, the baby shop had a basket which wouldn't look out of place in a nursery, perhaps without the flowers.

And outside the Natural Health Clinic, what else? A torso.

AND OF COURSE, A TORSO OUTSIDE THE WELLBEING CENTRE

On the corner of the road, the newsagents and corner shop were also taking part, using a wooden crate for their display.

Walking back along the road later I spotted one I missed the first time round, and one that uses a tyre, that's been on the fence for a while (I've no idea why either) inventively. 

Sometimes the most unexpected, but simple things can really bring a smile to your face can't they?  Let's hope these little arrangements of community spirit and cheer are respected, I'm pretty certain they'll be enjoyed.

A beautiful storage chest

For quite a while I've been looking for the perfect storage solution for our spare bedroom. Nothing has quite been right. Back in October I'd seen a lovely wooden chest in the same place I was wowed by all the crockery, but it needed work and they weren't up for budging on the price and so I walked away, reluctantly. On our recent visit to Norfolk I headed back down there to see if it was still there, it wasn't, and I didn't feel as sad as I thought I would. 

There was another chest there, this time tin rather than wood. Again though it was tattier than I'd like and I wasn't sure how we'd repair it. This time I'd gone armed with measurements and it was the right size for the space I had. We did a lot of umming and ahhing and once again walked away. 

But a seed was sown. 

It wasn't long before I was looking on eBay for tin storage chests, and I was amazed at what I found - as I so often am when I discover you can buy almost anything on there. I mean you can buy bricks, as well as lovely storage chests...

And yesterday I arrived home to a very large cardboard box. Inside was this:

Yes, a beautiful storage chest, sold as a 'second' on eBay. 

It's newly made, but made to look slightly more lived in. And that's a great compromise for us. I was keen for something that wasn't too pristine, while MOH preferred something brand, brand new. I didn't tell him until it arrived that it was sold as a second and it came with some added character.  

And it fits perfectly in the spot too. 

I'm really pleased with it, it was just what I wanted but wasn't able to articulate. The inside is lined with a plain brown material, which means it won't need any work and can be put straight to use storing the bedding for the spare room.  

That means no more lugging the pillows and duvet down the stairs each time we use the room, and you don't know how happy that makes me. It's just a small thing, but it's often the small things isn't it... 

And filling it with the bedding will start off a new batch of Spring rearranging, as the space the bedding is taking has already been earmarked and the new-last-December Christmas tree will be moving in. 

Yes, I'm finally getting my act together! Well, almost...