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Thanks, Shaz XX

Wednesday 20 April 2022

WOYWW 672 - May have finished a thing....

WARNING picture heavy post below ;)

 ok, so this is desk related this time, and only because I was sat at it while designing the front garden.


To the right is an old picture of before 



As many of you may remember, the front garden (still don't like to use my) was ripped out at the start of this year ready to store the motorbike, and due to the not finding the brick I liked and the cost (OMG) it had to wait for both price and availability.


 So let's start with requirements, first off I had to have plants again so, I had to have a planter, a wide sweeping entrance to swing the bike around on, and of course somewhere to charge the motorbikes' battery.

And this is what I came up with...

The plan for front garden



Materials collected
Last week with the help of my youngest brother (Tim) we collected all the required materials that were going to be needed (one tonne of sharp sand, half a tonne of  building, 4 bags of cement, 350 bricks, 9m2 of blocks)



 Thanks bro, love you loads 👍





Then my younger brother (Rob) and I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday (mainly Rob as I don't have a clue when it comes to block pathing) set to work to transform the old front garden into the above image.

Friday 15/04



Today we ripped out the last of the old wall and installed new footings, start the many tip runs to remove rubbish (like the old wall) etc








It was then time to start erecting the new wall and plan on cable runs for the internet, and where the planter was going.



Saturday 16/04










Today saw the wall be finished




By the end of play, the wall was finished and all but two pieces of coping had been installed, the Virgin Media cables had also been re-buried in conduit.




Sunday 17/04 

Today was all about the grading and levelling and block pathing, the installation of the bike anchor  and of course the planters final shape.








This went down faster than I expected to be honest, mind you my brother had done it for over 20 years and had his own business until the toll on your health (back and hands) became too much.





By the end of play it was all down, including the cut-outs for the air vents (cus the house needs to breath) and all the remaining blocks and rubbish moved.





Monday 18/04 
So now it was down to me to finish up as the previous few days were all about my brother Rob and his amazing work in the block pathing and brick work.



So first up due to the time of the morning was to and plants to the new planter and water them in, the plants are a mixture of ones I have moved from the front back in January, and some new.

Fuchsias, and trailing plants are reused, new additions is a rose called 'at peace' (not going to lie, I had a moment in BNQ when I saw and realized had to buy it, another when I planted it) it has always had flowers and planters in all the years we lived here for, and for a second thing, the off-white flowers will contrast nicely not only with the fuchsias but also with the other flowers I added Pinks and carnations, both of which were Sharon's favourite flowers, I also some pansies and other annuals.





Then it was on to job 2, the painting  and Job 3 the outdoor (Wi-Fi because I can, and it makes sense) power outlet and re collect my bike.




So that was my Easter weekend and with the enormous help of my siblings the front garden is now done, I am going to add another planter to the right-hand wall but one that is movable as we always had one there and I think it needs more flowers.

So that's my picture heavy catchup, head over to our Julia's at the stamping ground and check in on actual crafting being done.


Shaz and a Wolf cus why not :)





And finally....

14 comments:

Helen said...

What a lot of hard work Doug, well done and remembering to take photos too! Great to hear fromyou with your catch up and progress on the work. Helen #?

Annie said...

Wow. That is such a lot of work and it looks amazing...well done to the team. It’s good to see you joining in this week.
Hugs,
Annie x #6

Twiglet said...

What a team Doug! Well done to all - it's a fab job. xx Jo

Sarah Brennan said...

Wow, from a plan to a finished front yard in one long weekend Doug. It looks spectacular, such a family effort, and I can't wait to see the planter in all its glory. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #10

Lillianb said...

The hard work really payed off and it looks great well done all,

Take care and reast up some now,

Lilian B #8

Lynnecrafts said...

That was good hard work, Doug. Well done! Lovely photo of Shaz and the wolf, too. Did you ever see the wolf in the series Fue South!
Take care and happy WOYWW
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 7

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

WOW, good to see your posting, lots of hard work with that project ! We had nephew 2 yrs ago redo our brick patio base, but this is a MAJOR awesome completion. And thanks for step by step photos. Great to see also that you had time with your family. As the commercial says "that is so you" ! You'll love it and outside gardening etc, is good for the soul. I have had 12 friends in the past 6 months loose their spouse. Only 2 were covid related and it has been such an adjustment for all of us. Keep busy, enjoy that new space and glad to be updated.

Doug Brooks said...

@Lynne my god that is a blast from the past, I/we did indeed x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great to see you Doug and well done with all that work. Jobs done I think. Have a lovely woyww. Hugs, Angela x9x

Tracy said...

Wow, what a transformation ... you all did AMAZING ⭐ your Shaz would be right by your side throughout!
Stay safe, sending hugs Tracy #12

Kyla said...

Wow thats a LOT of work over a few days, fair play your brother could help lòoks really professional. Bet its so much easier knowing the bike is safe.
Kyla

StampinCarol said...

What a great job! Wonderful to have family help! Cool photo of Shaz!
Have a wonderful week!
Carol N #15

Sharon Madson said...

What a lot of work, and what an amazing job. Wonderful you and your brothers could work together to accomplish this. Love the photo of Shaz, and that last funny. #3

Bridget Larsen said...

I love before and after photos and yours is incredible what they have done to that space.
Bridget # 18

An End of an era

An end of an era

I write this with a broken heart, that only time can heal My beautiful, wonderful wifelet Shaz (Silverwolf) passed away peacefully in the ea...