The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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13 January 2013

Terrace Extension Progress

The expert at work!
 Despite a glacial drop in temperatures, work has continued with the terrace extension and the wall and arch foundations.  Chris moved the lamp post all on his own to give the left hand side of the arch wall more room. Stone was sorted and cut and the arch quoins laid out alternating with 2 courses of bricks.  Despite my enthusiasm to persist with arch building, Chris pointed out that it would be sensible to build the steps and lay the stone in order to minimise the mess of traipsing mud everywhere and eroding grass on the top lawn.  He was right of course!  The drive really does look like a building site especially with a delivery of stone arriving in my absence (yes, I abandoned building lessons for a day in London - sigh!)  There has been much discussion over wall capping possibilities and I think the most favoured is to build a mini roof using ridge tiles and maybe roof tiles too of the spread of the ridge tiles is insufficient.

Beginnings of a south facing wall
In the meantime, I was left in charge of brushing off the mortar - having been told that it would only take me an hour.  In the event, it took me two and a quarter!  Thankfully, it was dry and sunny and much warmer than the previous day - plus it was vigorous work!

When all is finished, we shall have a short but south facing wall which is a very interesting thought.  Although we plan to put a small window with an oak lintel and a cast iron grill, I'm still wondering what we might grow in such a sheltered spot.

The apprentice hard at work!














More photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/100788191989823327785/ArchTerraceProgress

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