I thought this job would only take about a week at most, but things dragged on a bit.
After two and a half weeks, we have come to a stopping point.
The first week, we had outside help from friends and relations, just to get the main frame up and roof on, that included our own Stew of birdbox fame, thanks Stew, from then on, it was just my wife and I to finish it off in dribs and drabs, when we could manage it. We couldn't ask the grandson, who lives with us, for help, as he is preparing for his final exams in a few weeks time, and that is more important than this job.
It took us about four days just to get all the wood preserving done. Moans and groans all round, it must have sounded like a hospital ward while we were doing it.
I finished the open ends off with white UPVC tongue and groove, it always makes a nice finish to the job, and matches the rest of the house. As you can see, the open area of our now very small garden still requires a good tidy up. That will come after we have recovered for a few weeks, and the weather gets a little warmer and frees up the old joints.
From this shot you can see what we envisioned, the workshop end contains my storage and the open end is for Mal, who can not only relax in here, but also hang her washing up, even when it is raining.
The air is still a little damp to put the cushions on the outside furniture just yet, so it still looks a little bare and drab. It will also, when it gets warmer, have the paving power washed, they will come up a lovely yellowy buff.
From the garden side.
This covered way goes the whole width of the house, so by our standards it is huge. It is in fact about the same size as my workshop.
Today's job was to fit the picket fence, it took me almost all day to drill and fit a dozen bolts. Still, it is done now, and hopefully won't need doing again, at least not in my lifetime.
Even Bandit has moved his bed in, while Stews' birdbox awaits fitting, which will be done when we tidy up the outer bit.
There is still the electrics and lighting to go in, but we are awaiting delivery of the lighting, so that will get done, as and when.
It now looks like my *** packet rough design has worked well, it is a very rigid structure indeed.
Total cost, 850 squid (about 1300 bucks), a third of the price of buying one the same commercially (fitting costs extra), but I did buy extra on top of that price, a 100 squid chop saw to cut all the wood, but that will be used again, when Tel, my mate, does the same thing with his house. So it does sometimes pay to do things yourself, even though it hurt a hell of a lot.
As they say, there are no pockets in shrouds, so enjoy it while you can. If the kids aren't capable of looking after themselves money wise when you are gone, tough luck.
That is now it for now, we can both have a good rest, then Mal can sit outside relaxing, while I'm back in my shop enjoying myself.
Bogs