How are we supposed to get owt done in this rain?! update

[charlie]

Well back in the summer we noticed the large retaining wall in our courtyard was starting to lean and show signs of cracking, not surprising given the mud mortared stone it is made from was infested with ivy and bramble,

First job was to remove the plants that had kept it fairly well hidden, some will be reused elsewhere some are for the bonfire.

Courtyard wall 0001 by charliepridham, on Flickr

While we were in France son Chris took down the stone s(some of which is now in the way in the garage!)

wall 004 by charliepridham, on Flickr

wall 005 by charliepridham, on Flickr

It was at this point we made the rather optimistic suggestion - "Why dont we excavate back another 4' and thus make the courtyard easier to manoeuvre a vehicle around"

The rain started almost as soon as work started it has taken two months of digging by hand to remove 60 tons of stone and subsoil, the pile in the foreground is all the rubbish stone kept aside as "Fill"

courtyard small by charliepridham, on Flickr

WE have finally managed to get the foundations in and start putting stone back, but it is slow going with only half a dry day a week

[Chad]

1. As always I'm in awe at the physical tasks you take on.

2. I'm impressed the bank didn't collapse in last nights rain.

Chad

[charlie]

Starting to get small earth falls! I am feeling I have gone to ambitious this time, I had hoped to be done by now but February is looking more likely :(

[John P]

Is it just you doing the work Charlie.

John

[charlie]

I did a share of the digging but son wont let me anywhere near the stone walling, claims I am a stranger to a spirit level! by the end he will have done 90% of the work and I am just providing the money :lol: Once we are above shoulder height and using the scaffolding I will probably be allowed to lift stone up for him!!

[charlie]

starting to see some progress but the weather is still causing problems - when you get a dry day do you do gardening or get on with building!

courtyard 005 by charliepridham, on Flickr

[charlie]

At last the main wall is done, bit of catch up with gardening then I have the new planting areas to make, Son just has to clear the remaining rock and other rubbish

DSC_0002 by charliepridham, on Flickr

[AndyC]

Fantastic job!. Nice space for a fernery :)

[MartinNicklin]

Yes an amazing wall and a good height. Will make a fabulous surface for some of your amazing climbers. What I would give for a wall like that around my garden. Really increases what you can grow.

[charlie]

Finally got some planting done, better put your fleece on standby, its traditional here that shortly after planting the tender stuff out we get frosts!!

DSC_0006 by charliepridham, on Flickr

DSC_0007 by charliepridham, on Flickr