Let me take you back to the patio as it was left by the landscaping fellows last month. Here it is:-
The soil was not properly contained. So with the stones I hauled round from Fidelma's house I have raised the walls - giving a more natural rustic look as well as improving containment. No mortar was required for my top section - as in the drystone walls that are a lovely feature of much of the high countryside in the middle of northern England.
I laid all the stones on our lawn and jet washed them before proceeding with my project. I am pretty happy with the end result though there are a couple of places where I could have done with different stones and on my various rambles I will be looking out for replacements that I can bring home.
Recent capping work:-
The old millstone came from the allotment I used to rent on Hagg Hill
Above - the same section of wall
from different viewpoints
Detail near middle steps
In this section I decided to upend some of the smaller stones - reflecting
one of the finishes you will often see upon the country walls west of here
YORKSHIRE PUDDING Available to hire for walling projects etc.. Reasonable rates. Polite and friendly service guaranteed. No swearing. Access to toilet essential. Tel. 0114 - 272 or email gardengnome@bonkers.com.
I am stone poor here in Iowa or I would be surrounded by stone walls.
ReplyDeleteIn northern England you see stone walls along the spine of the country but as you move to the coast, fields tend to be divided by hedgerows.
DeleteDo you work on THIS side of the pond???
ReplyDeleteYes I do Bob but you will have pay for my flight plus the shipping of the required amount of stone. Checking my diary, I have some availability in October.
DeleteVery pretty. Well done Mr. Pudding.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I am.
DeleteYes, I'm impressed with your ability in stone work. We don't have stone walls as there are other materials to make fences. we have stones but not enough for walls.
ReplyDeleteSome of our walls date back over a thousand years. They certainly last.
DeleteVery nice! I really like your garden and your stone wall.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that my work has passed the Deb test.
DeleteVery well done, Sr. Pudding. I had no idea of your many talents.
ReplyDeleteI can also make a trumping sound with just my hands.
DeleteI like it! Thank you for showing us your work.
ReplyDeleteYour wish is my command.
DeleteI like the millstone. I also like the vertical pieces of stone.
ReplyDeleteWhen the plants grow a bit, I'd like to see the garden
We bought a whole bunch of new plants to fill those borders and we will be interested too.
DeleteIt does look better with capping and I like how you stood up some of the stones on their ends.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elsie.
DeleteLooks good. Is it me, or is that brown plant pot on a slant?
ReplyDeleteThat just an illusion caused by poor camera alignment. See the door frame behind it,
DeleteVery good work. Mrs Pudding should be pleased with your physical labours.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's why she is now calling me Hercules.
DeleteNice work, it blends in well, and looks natural, do you travel down south.
ReplyDeleteI do travel down south occasionally. Usually to St Pancras Station.
DeleteVery impressive YP. Upended stones are called Bucks and the ones lying flat are called Does in drystone wall building.
ReplyDeleteYou have taught me something today Dave. Thanks.
DeleteAn excellent job, except as JC has said that slight slope of the brown pot, easily remedied.
ReplyDeleteIt was just a wonky camera shot Thelma.
DeleteThat looks excellent YP - you've done a very good job and see that you have found a new interest that you can capitalise on. You'll be travelling the world soon, an artisan in stone work to the rich and famous!
ReplyDeleteI could lecture on the subject in universities and perhaps become a professor.
DeleteWhen are you going to get out your coloured chalks and play hopscotch? Those back slabs would be much improved by chalk. She could also draw on them.
ReplyDeleteThat's not happening my good man... and who is "She"?
DeleteIt was supposed to say Phoebe. Every child should be able to chalk in the back yard.
DeleteA lot of manual labor
ReplyDeleteI am a slave to myself.
DeleteI love those stone walls that are all over the place where you live. I'm always amazed at how they are put together and last forever.
ReplyDeleteYou did a terrific job and now the dirt won't wash out when you have a heavy rain. Good thinking, Neil!
You nearly always leave kind, encouraging comments Ellen and I really appreciate that.
DeleteWow. You moved a lot of heavy stones and now your patio is even more gorgeous. How' are you feeling? You might need another liver and onions dinner to get some energy back!
ReplyDeleteThank you Diaday. The worst bit was hauling those stones from the neighbour's house.
DeleteWhat would you charge to cut down 20 foot-high ivy growing on 3 sides of daughter's garden, fell 3 fruit trees leaning at 40 degree angles (their roots only six inches below surface) and take away to local tip? We were supposed to have a crew arrive today and they let us down, saying they had "food poisoning". Yeah right. Gardeners (or to give them their highfalutin name "landscapers") are like hens' teeth round here.
ReplyDeleteLooking good! Are you feeling more muscular now?
ReplyDeleteREALLY nice work.
ReplyDelete