April Update

The blog has been quiet recently; I had intended not to do anything more until the outside landscaping is finished but that may not be for a while yet, (there has been a delay with the delivery of the remainder of the slates) so this is where we are up to on 11th April.

Alutec sent along one of their own chaps who resolved all our problems with the guttering.  There is still a little more to do (some parts were missing) but we are very nearly there and cannot fault Alutec's Customer Service.

All areas below the damp proof course around the house are being rendered with K Rend in Buttermilk.
There is a path immediately in front of the house and then there will be a narrow bed of plants all the way along the front of the path which will help to disguise the render.

Grey slates are being laid longways, one quarter along the next slate.
This all has yet to be pointed.

The walls in the garden are being rendered again with K Rend but in a grey colour to match the slate.
This area will hopefully one day house a hot tub.

In keeping with the levels in the house, this area will have a slate path around three sides with a 'grassy' area in the middle.  There will be a step down to the patio area where the table will be.

The eagle-eyed amongst you will by now be marvelling at the cleanliness of the windows.
Phil, Alex and Vicki fully appreciate how much it took to rid ourselves of the remainder of the Peelguard.
In the foreground on the left hand side there will be some steps down to the workshop.
In between the steps and the hot tub area is Vicki's 'Herb Garden' - four individual planting areas which are completely bricked up and separate from each other so the mint will not be able to encroach on the other plants - thanks to Marc for this wonderful suggestion.

A fence has been built to mark the boundary between ourselves and Woodview.
The rear bed is now ready and filled with topsoil.
The planting plans were submitted to West Dorset District Council on 17th January and we are still awaiting approval.

A general overview of the back of the house.

A raised bed made from contemporary railway sleepers (4 high) at the side of the house; again this will be planted up to disguise the skirt.