It's overgrown and weedy on the left of the picture because that was where one of the three compost heaps used to be and, just out of sight, is a greenhouse. Against that stretch of wall a potting shed will, if we get around to it, be constructed. We're hoping to get the whole wall (this is only the first and smallest stretch) constructed by the autumn if all goes well, though sense goes before sensibility here and if it doesn't get finished we'll just do what we can and finish next year. Still, although I'm only free on Wednesday this week, I'm free every morning but Tuesday next, so we'll see how it goes.
I bought some lovely sea bass from Paul the Travelling Fishmonger, this morning, at fairly vast expense, and didn't go shopping otherwise so I had to scout around. Fortunately, I had some broccoli and some potatoes, with which I decided to make a favourite dish: Spicy Masala Potatoes. I checked the recipe. Hm. It was already well after 6 pm, but worth a try... I phoned the shop. Al was still there. "I need a few more things, can you bring them please?" He was relaxed about this. Well, this is the lad who, at just before 9am, rang his father and asked him to go to the mushroom farm any time such as right now. "A chili, an onion, some ginger and some fresh coriander, please." I had the other ingredients, but I somehow feel that without those a certain something would have been lost. Well, I'd have improvised, of course.
Anyway, Dave has met the whole family now, except my sister. We have plans for the children each to take on a course of bricks in order of their height. Tilly can carry the bricks on her back (she's the dog, BTW) and the wall will be built in No Time.
15 comments:
I must say the children (and grandchildren) didn't seem wildly enthusiastic about the idea of getting involved.
Odd. They really don't know what fun they're missing.
I suspect our evident expertise intimidates them, Dave.
that looks like what will no doubt become a very fine wall!
did you have to make a foundation of some sort? who chose the colour of the bricks? will Grand Designs come along at any stage!
I have the greatest trouble getting my children to just put their dinner plates into the sink once they've finished their supper - good luck with the youth of today!
x
I see I've left a half-batt visible on the top of the second pillar. I wonder if any of your readers will notice?
Do you have Pink Floyd playing on a boom box to inspire you?
And have you seen this?
I see next door's cows are lying down the better to enjoy the spectacle. And it didn't rain, you say?
Those nettles look pretty fierce, tho' I see you've had the forethought to plant some docks nearby. Good thinking!
PS I see a half-batt has been left on the top of the second pillar. Tsk, tsk.
We employed a professional brickie to put in the footings, several years ago, using harder masonry bricks for a firm and accurate foundation. The Sage chose the bricks, after several years' searching, from a Suffolk company that has, for many years, made traditional hand-made bricks.
My children think I'm to be looked after nowadays.
Back later, my lift has just arrived.xx
I'm looking forward to the day when someone wants to look after me
(-:
I suspect I'm a lot older than you, ILTV, and so are my children. They are starting to think of me as an old dear who needs their care.
Dave, aren't we all half batts, when it comes down to it?
Oh, I see what you mean. Well spotted, Christopher. The cow with the white face looking towards us is Big Pinkie, by the way, who lives here in honourable retirement as the farmer couldn't bear to send her to slaughter after years of faithful service. She's the one who stole my sweet corn a couple of years ago.
Our garden is a wildlife haven, so has to have plenty of nettles and similarly useful growth. *cough*
I sing, sotto voce, at the laying of every brick, Rog. And of course the whole project was really Tilly's idea but (being without opposable thumbs) she was unable to voice it, so I've claimed the credit.
My children are older than yours, I meant. D'oh.
I go away for a week and you've taken up brick laying. I hope you are wearing gloves.
Gloves are for wimps.
I'm a wimp.
Actually, a glove on my right hand gets in the way, but I do wear one on my left. Dave, of course, doesn't wear gloves.
Blogger played up last night and wouldn't publish my post. Now I'm going to see if it's still there or if it was swallowed altogether.
on the subject of cushions. . .
I've stitched two tapestries (the bottom two, here) and Dave happened to mention that they were "his" kind of colours, so I thought they'd make good cushions for his living room, only my sewing machine is broken (and I can't afford to have it mended at the moment), so I need to find a very kind soul who could make the tapestries into cushions for him. . .
I could probably provide the fabric for the reverse side (unless Dave had a preferred fabric) and also the cushion pad, so all I really need is someone who has a machine and knows how to put a zip in (and will not look at the back of my handiwork - it's a mess!)
no problem if you can't help, but just in case you could. . .
They are beautiful - give me until the weekend (because she's working tomorrow and Friday and she'll be tired) and I'll ask Dilly if she thinks she might be able to do it.
Post a Comment