Thursday 11 June 2009

Bringing on the wall, Day 10 - 20%+


Because it was raining at 8.45, Dave and I decided to wait and see how the weather looked in a while. By 8.55, it was fine here, and so it was all morning. But the decision had been made to go for it during the afternoon. It's been changeable. A couple of sharp showers, and thunder in the distance, with hot sunshine in between.

I did a few bricks while I just had Pugsley, but after I'd fetched Squiffany home too, I left it to the men and joined in again once Dilly arrived back. By that time, they'd finished the first section and were carrying on with the next piece at ground level, so I started building up towards the pillar that Dave had started a couple of weeks ago.

The first section isn't finished of course, as it will be capped, but all the bricks have been laid. We've decided to leave the ornamental brick where it is - probably - it can always be cut out and reinserted later if we want to. We have, however, agreed both to put them in sideways on to the first one, and to put them at least one course lower, as only two bricks being above looks slightly out of balance.

The Sage lays a few bricks, and he did the final one today, just before it started to pour with rain. I'd already covered the work I'd been doing.

Nothing more now until next Monday - weather permitting. So I can regale you with senseless witterings in the normal manner. Is that not a happy thought?

10 comments:

Dave said...

If anyone is wondering what the lump is, three rows down, on the right in the first photo, it's an enormous snail.

The wall isn't leaning over, by the way, that's just the effect of using a wide-angle lens.

Honest.

Z said...

Bear in mind too that my legs are different lengths and I don't stand upright.

The imperfections in the wall itself are also down to me. I'm only a perfectionist if I have to be.

Dave said...

There are no imperfections in the wall. the bricks, being hand-made, are each slightly different, so it would be impossible to get ruler-straight lines.

Also the ground has subsided since we started building.

And the wall is long enough for the curvature of the earth to have an effect.

How do we know said...

wow! thats a VERY nice looking wall!!

Dandelion said...

I was wondering how you cope if it rains when you're in the middle of brick-laying. Is that bubble-wrap I see before me?

I've used bubble-wrap to protect my strawberries from the local blackbird. I thought I was being rather creative and original, but it seems everyone is doing it.

Dandelion said...

ps Shouldn't that be "fewer wall"?

Z said...

The Sage is also creative and original, Dand.

martina said...

Ir really does look wonderful. Good job everyone!

Zig said...

what are you going to do with this wall when it's finished?

Z said...

It's replacing an old privet hedge that had mostly died, and it will, with the three greehouses, enclose the veg garden except for one side which will be fenced. On the vegetable side I'll grow some small fruit trees, such as peaches, and plant aubergines etc in the summer, and on the drive side I'll made a flower bed against it. There will be a few climbing plants but I don't want to cover the whole wall.

It's an indulgence, but not a folly.