Making a stable door stable.

One of the strange features of our new home was an enclosed courtyard with no access to one side of the garden unless one took a wild detour up steps, past the flatlet, and down another set of steps.  There was a tiny window in the rock wall, which only served to funnel the wind when a northeaster was blowing.

We had a doorway cut in the wall for better access, but now the northeaster had a ball through the courtyard. A doorframe was inserted by a builder (very badly) but a good friend refitted it and we grabbed one of the sets of stable doors which had been in the house originally and installed it. It was a bit warped and coming loose here and there, so some stabilising work had to be done on it.  Here we see it being mounted.

And here it is fully fitted.  I think I will be replacing the handle in due course, though.  Something in the brass knob direction will probably suit better.

Ideal, if we want to put a stable on the other side.  Mind you, although we didn’t instal a stable in our previous home, we did put in a paddock for when our horse came on beach holiday visits, so anything is possible!  However, the door should eventually lead to a play area featuring wendy house (already in place), platform, swing, and the slide currently mounted at our cottage.

The crazy paving nightmare is nearly over.  Today, in between school runs (holidays are over, alas) I sliced the final remaining pieces into shapes to fill the gaps a diminishing set of choices created.  I cut templates out of cardboard, and then drew round these on the slate before creating dust storms while cutting. It is amazing that the slate from the front part of the house (now tiled) proved exactly enough for the job.  There are two tiny bits remaining, which will probably be needed for any gaps I have missed.  I have pictures of the work in progress, but would prefer to show the finished effect after laying, but before finally being screeded in.

This will be my pride and joy.  All carting, digging, placing and cutting has been done entirely by me with no assistance. I used a trolley to move big bits once I had lugged them up the steps from where they had been stored, and I had to lay, re-lay, and re-re-lay until I mastered the art of getting proper levels for each.  I have previously shown the raised garden beds I created with the tons of sand removed in the levelling process.

© July 2016 Colonialist (WordPress)

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