I had left the excess soil on the concrete base for a couple of days as we weren\u2019t sure initially where we could use it and we already have a number of piles of soil \/ slate \u00a0\/ stuff opposite the garage and were reluctant to create another or enlarge an existing one.\u00a0 Eventually we decided to deposit it in a corner of the orchard where we will, eventually, create another raised flower bed to continue to use up the slate blocks not required for the back gate wall.<\/p>\n
Before I deposited it there, I wanted to clear some of the brambles that had taken root which made me think I should also tackle the other trees and weeds which had self-set. \u00a0The area is between the jungle-bed we created in the spring and the bike shed.\u00a0 It bounded part of the carpark before we arrived, is where we will eventually create a raised pond but where we haven\u2019t done anything since we got here (too many other priorities).\u00a0 As such a small copse of trees have grown up (oak, beech, really vicious hawthorn and the ubiquitous sycamore among others) and was certainly not the most attractive part of the estate!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As with so many other parts of the garden, we have plans for that entire area although we\u2019re not sure when it will make it to the top of the to-do list.\u00a0 In the short term at least a clear out and tidy up will benefit the front and improve the entrance further.\u00a0 All of the trees will eventually go which will make a large impact but we will replace with other, more interesting, planting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once the concrete pad was cleared I made a start to the blockwork.\u00a0 I have laid bricks before but never breeze blocks (our builder, Lee, did all of the walling for Grange and the replacement fences behind Priory) but thought it couldn\u2019t be too different.\u00a0 I was probably considerably slower than a professional and only managed one course per day, but I am pleased with the result.\u00a0 It is certainly sturdy enough for a man shed and is a much more practical area than previously as we have extended the parking space for Hayloft and left a walkway between the shed and boundary hedge.<\/p>\n My biggest challenge was getting the final course level when the foundation was anything but.\u00a0 We extended the concrete pad in stages as we had various bits of concrete left over after other jobs and hadn\u2019t put anything in place to ensure it was level with the old space.\u00a0 With up to 10 centimetres difference in the levels and only 3 course of blocks to level it out, meant I had to use some thicker mortar courses in places with a bit of padding where required.<\/p>\n I have laid all the courses we need (3) and, following the way Lee showed me when building Grange, have inserted threaded bar to secure the wooden planking to the top of the wall when I start to build the frame which I will do after I\u2019ve added the damp-proof course.<\/p>\n![\"Copse\"](\"http:\/\/kergudon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Copse-300x222.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Copse](\"http:\/\/kergudon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Copse-from-the-drive-before-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Copse](\"http:\/\/kergudon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Copse-cutting-300x239.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Copse](\"http:\/\/kergudon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Copse-being-cut-300x224.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Brickie](\"http:\/\/kergudon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Brickie-Ben-300x206.jpg\")
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![\"Man](\"http:\/\/kergudon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Man-shed-blockwork-done-300x194.jpg\")
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