Still working on the frame

I'm camping out with Rosie tonight so I'm actually starting this update during the late afternoon as I won't have time later to write it all up.

Sweeping up the metal dust

Getting the legs set out

Some kind of laser support

Checking it is level

Welding the legs on

Very proud of the 0.0 perfect

The door goes back on

The men were in on time and spent a bit of time tidying up but then I found them stood around waiting for the wind to dry the dew off the metal legs! I pointed out that they could make a start with the legs inside before they were dry and off they went. Today has been a little slower than I hoped as I don't think they'll be done so I'll be without my workbench again this weekend but they have spent a fair amount of time checking levels and trying to get it all totally perfect. At first the laser was balanced on a jar of milk drink, a level and a section of hardboard, but then I went and got a proper tripod and they finally had a stable base to work from. With the legs the correct length they began welding it all together and this took a long time, however by the end they were very proud of then 0.0 on my new digital level. They had had to remove the door into the workshop to get the frame inside and at lunch time they really struggled to get it rehung.

Drilling the first holes

Hammering the anchors in

Perfectly 90 degrees

And also this way as well

End of the day, looking good

With everything leveled out we had a chat about the next step and decided that we can paint the metal with it fixed in place rather than having to lift it all out again however they needed some different special anchors which could be hammered down through the holes in the anchor plate so they popped to the shop very quickly for these. When they got back they were drilling and hammering and getting everything perfect and by the end of today the frame is absolutely spot on. Sadly it isn't totally finished so I can't use the bench this weekend however we have a good plan for next week including painting the frame, getting the carpet done upstairs, and getting the bench finished including embedded saws and storage shelves underneath.

Angela loads manure into her trolley

The last of the humanure is spread out

Angela had a really productive morning as well. She was out early doing short bursts of shifting sheep manure and spreading it on the raised beds, and then moved to the flower beds. This is great, and we can do another lift maybe next week. This will over years improve the soil no end.

Rosie helping with the poles

Rosie hammers a tent peg in

As I've said I'm camping with Rosie tonight so when she got back from school we put the tent up together. It's been really windy today, and it was quite gusty still as we were doing this, but Rosie helped and we have the tent set now.

So there you are. A good day. Thank you for reading and we'll be back on Monday

Busy garden day, and plastering

It has been a busy day for me in the garden, and I'm now home alone with Rosie as Angela has gone off on a very well deserved spa break. Busy busy let's get to it.

Loading out firewood

Old Martenitsa on this wood

Sheep manure covered over so it doesn't fly away

Finishing up the unloading

Cleaning Thomas with the hose

A load of manure for the raised bed

This all needs shifting

Loaded in Thomas and away

I took Rosie to school this morning and when I got back I got stuck in to shifting more of the kindling and starter wood in from the outside store into the room off the garage. While doing this I found a stick that still has a martenitsa tied around it. As I was working Bekir and Halil arrived in a very laden Thomas full of sheep manure. It did not take long to drag it all out of the back of Thomas and then Bekir got the hose and cleaned the back very well indeed. As soon as this was completed, and after breakfast, I went and did a layer of the sheep manure into the new raised bed. Then I lifted all the old wood left over from the first raised beds and loaded it into Thomas and took it over to The Little Lady who was very happy for the wood.

Halil finishes off the wall

Bekir patching the hole

Thelma and Louise found a sun trap

Getting ready for winter

Yet more plastering

Bekir polishing new plaster

Inside the men were at the task for the day which was to apply a second coat of plaster all over the walls by the stairs. They also used some of the plaster to cover over the hole made above the stairs below when they removed the odd bricks. It was a lovely day and when I hung the washing out the puppies got a sunbathe on the sandpit. I then fitted the fire guard, having waved Angela off for her weekend away, as it is getting cooler and soon we will probably have to light the fire in the evenings. It's a lot later to do that this year than normal. Upstairs the men were continuing their excellent progress on the plastering. I'm getting excited about the carpeting now.

Not how I would like to work

Ready to collect leaves

Rosie helps me empty the wheelbarrow

Rosie and her giant care bear driving the police car

Eating dinner on the balcony

I collected Rosie from school and while I was pushing her on the swings for a bit we were entertained by a group of workers skimming a building on slings hanging down the side of the building; very much braver than I. The chore we had when we got home was to start to rake up the leaves and collect them into our now empty compost bins. Rosie helped for a bit but then got her police car out and drove around in it, which was fun. Dinner was eaten on the balcony again and then it was time for a rush around the chores before bed and blog time.

So there it is. A good day indeed. Thanks for reading, and back tomorrow.

Filling up the raised bed

The sun shone today, which was a great relief to me and probably to the workmen as well.

The sun appears

Thomas, low on his suspension with sheep manure

Sifting then shovelling into the raised bed

The long task continues

Taking the manure out of Thomas

Nearly all done for the day

It was a beautiful sunrise though I was up quite late after a disturbed night (more of which later). I had a busy day at work but did pay attention for the men to arrive in Thomas, loaded down with very mature composted sheep manure - this is amazing quality and will be wonderful in the raised beds. The men got stuck into their task for the day which was filling up the first bay with soil; they sifted it through the old gate again to take out stones and roots and then threw it into the bay. It was a long and boring day but eventually they got enough in that it was time for a layer of sheep manure. After emptying Thomas they about a few inches thick over the whole area then finished the day by covering that with soil. The first bay is COMPLETE!

Moon over the Old School

Where the guitar hanger pulled out of the wall

Rosie went to the park with Angela after school which was lovely and then after she got home it was time for some play upstairs and then outside to get the washing in and also run around about in the gloaming. It was while I was upstairs that I noticed one of my guitars on the floor and suddenly realised - this is what disturbed me in the night. About 3am this morning I was woken by a huge clatter of something falling over but despite going all round the house, down to the woodstore and up into the roof space I could see nothing that could have caused it. But now I see the guitar hanger pulled out of the wall and the guitar fell to the floor. Fortunately it doesn't SEEM to be damaged but I'll have to give it a good look over.

So there you are; another day done and STILL not onto the chicken enclosure; my fear is we won't even start that until next year now. Oh well, back tomorrow.