Weekend Log Building!

Matt, Chris & Sarah

A very full drive!

This weekend, PTC enjoyed having extra helpers in the shape of Matt and Sarah to build a log wall and shelter from unwanted Cupressus Leylandii logs.  With Chris as well, there were four of us to lug, lift, saw and carry heavy conifer which was oozing resin everywhere.  having just emptied and tidied the drive, we immediately filled it with a massive amount of timber!

This new construction is at the back of the Woodland Border and, as Chris's brainchild, the idea is to hide an old fence and tuck up underneath an old section of conifer hedge  thus providing shelter for insects and humans alike!  The name for this edifice has been much discussed - the original name being Rob's Retreat. Somehow this was mistaken for Rob's Tavern in some circles!  No idea where that came from but it stuck - for the weekend anyway. Talking of things sticking, resin removal each evening was another major task.  In the end, we resorted to a melange of methylated spirit, petrol and Swarfega.  The roof needs a few more logs but it was a brilliant team effort and if, as a result, we have extra ladybirds and bees in the garden, it'll be a bonus!!  A big thank you to all our willing helpers who made it such fun and worked so hard over a sunny bank holiday weekend!!!

More photos can be seen at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/100788191989823327785/BuildingWithLogs

Nearly finished

Early stages!

The Pear Hut desperately needs your votes in this year's

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2 Chris's Lift on the Pier Caps

Chris's Genever & Pugh

Work continued on the gates and piers.  The sun was shining and the cuckoo calling from the oak tree overhead - pretty perfect working conditions!  Hanging the gates on sloping ground and ensuring their levels matched in every way was not easy work so, in order to maximise flexibility, the hinges were put on in situ.  Having done that, it was time to get out the creosote - despite much stick from a certain builder!  Half way through, Chris P. arrived and helped to lift on the massively heavy stone pier caps.  These were bedded on a layer of mortar (which I shall be brushing off first thing tomorrow!)  We also hope to finish the 2 centre uprights and make a catch tomorrow - weather permitting.  In the meantime, my gate design has been given the thumbs up and helping to make them has been great fun!

 

Maureen's Manger

Down in the Lamium sits a beautiful Victorian cast iron manger and hay rack.  It may look lost and forgotten but that's the idea. Once a precious part of Draycott and another garden present from Maureen (in the absence of Victorian stables at PTC) I wasn't sure quite where to place it in the garden.  We tried it in various places before uprighting it and placing it behind the Hut at the side of the service path. We really enjoy it's forgotten appearance - so atmospheric just lying surrounded by greenery and  naturally filled with algae coloured green rainwater beneath the shade of a couple of Acers.  A perfect secret place for frogspawn if only the frogs would spawn there and not in the pond where the fish have eaten it all - sigh!

Introducing Moby Dick!

This blog has been going a few years now and poor Moby Dick has never had a mention so, overdue it may be; allow me introduce you!  He lives under the shade of a big old Witch Hazel and a Prunus Serrula and right now, he's in full bloom.  His flowers look just like barnacles and so are particularly apt.   His eye is made from some old drain pipe and a budgie's mirror to catch the light!  He is of course a Chris creation and if you look closely, he even has fins and a plume of water.  His tail is still growing.  I've always assumed he is a variety of Laurel probably Portuguese but maybe you know better!

Stepping up in the world

An Ajuga has crept across the stone steps which lead to the garden tool shed.  The little blue flower spikes stand up proud and appear to be thriving on dire poverty as there is no soil on the stone.  It softens the hard edges of the stone so, for now, we'll leave it to keep on creeping!

Ajuga reptans

Dead Pretty!

The papery petals of a dead Hydrangea (which should have been pruned) still look really pretty with the sun behind them.  Quite surprising when you think that they are surrounded by fresh spring fruit blossom and proves that dead flowers can be as just as pretty as the freshest flower.  Now I really must get around to doing some dead heading!