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In the midst of all the sunny Easter weather there was actually an overcast and rather cool day that bucked the trend.

No problem, the time and weather were eminently suitable to complete a project that Jenna had been thinking about for some time.

Since we bought the extra piece of garden and purchased a swing chair

it had become a favourite place for Ann to sit and relax and enjoy the view, one could even use the cliché "enjoy the ambience of the place".



With the most basic of pictures . . .	and a rough sketch of Jenna's ideas . . .

We 'set to' after breakfast to try and change her ideas into some form of reality.

	- - - o o o - - - At 11am we were in Oakhurst Garden Centre and busy selecting pots, trying to find combinations of size and colour that would suite what we wanted to achieve. - - - o o o - - -

Then we had to find a selection of plants to place into those pots.

Abi presents the selection . . . I can be seen wondering off in the background . . . to pay !

- - - o o o - - -

	- - - o o o - - - Four o'clock found us at Honister picking up a ton of slate chippings plus some "fill your boot" extra edging stone. By collecting it ourselves we could have it the same day and save on the bagging and delivery charges . . . we just have to load it all into the car ! - - - o o o - - -

We didn't quite make it and needed an extra dumpy bag and the boot of Jenna's car to carry the last of the slate chippings home.

Even then we had to leave a little behind, to ensure we could actually drive the cars home safely !

Manouvering the cars to unload the goodies.

	- - - o o o - - - Now to shovel it out of the back of the cars, carry it a bucket or wheelbarrow at a time and start to turn the Jenna's garden ideas into reality - - - o o o - - -

- - - o o o - - -

First set the basic layout

and remove any obvious obstructions.

Then we dug up any perennial plants

that were in the way or could be saved and re-planted.

Matt and I dismantled the swing chair

and between us moved the structure to one side.

Finally we didn't bother cutting the turf but covered it

with a black weed control matting to stop it growing through.

- - - o o o - - -

Bringing in the slate chippings and setting the edging slate over the weed control matting.

It is surprising how much chipping was required . . . the whole area covered but with nothing to spare.

	- - - o o o - - - Meanwhile Jenna and Abi had been busy sorting the pots and matching them with the plants. - - - o o o - - -

Busy workers enjoying the job in hand.

Time to roll back the table top . . . ready for G&T's of the future.

That should do nicely.



Replacing the seat . . .	. . . and test that it sits correctly.

Time to arrange the pots in position.

Complete the finishing touches and top up the compost in the pots.

All overseen by the foreman !

This side of the seat seems to be finished.



Matching the colours . . .	. . . on the steps and the other side.

	- - - o o o - - - Happy smiles all round. Even the clock is happy that we've completed it 7.30 pm . . . time for supper - - - o o o - - -

Time for one extra, slightly more formal picture.

. . . and to make sure that we've not forgotten the purpose of the day's work.

- - - o o o - - -


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