C O N S E R V A T O R Y   B L O G
M a y   2 0 0 5

Plan B: The Garage    (stage 2)

Time to put plan B into operation. Following the mess up with the small skip - and it being Bank Holiday and all (no collection/replacement until tomorrow), I've taken the executive decision to start using the garage as a temporary dumping area for the earth - just until the new skip arrives.

Yes, I know that means shifting the soil twice, but hey, I'm a glutten for punishment. It does also mean I'm able to continue digging today and actually finish the day with a relatively small amount of earth still to shift, before the whole surface is at the desired level (350mm below the dpc of the house). After consultations with the Boss, I'm going to get the new skip asap - like tomorrow if possible.

We're gonna need a bigger boat!   (stage 2)

Ok, major balls up! After a few hours digging, the skip's full and I've only shifted about a third of the earth total earth. Looking back, this was always going to happen with such a small skip, but you live and learn, and where's the fun in getting everything right first time!? (not an experience I'm familiar with. Ahem).

Elton John    (stage 2)

A day of digging. I've been doing a couple of hours here and there during the evenings and the skip's starting to fill up now. A good days digging today has brought it a lot closer to it's limit. I've got to get 350mm (1.15ft) below the dpc of the house and I've still got a long way to go. This clay stuff is a mare to dig. Trying to take big lumps of it and pick them up, rather than using the spade.

No doubt that this skip is not big enough. Still, time to get the bus now - off to see Elton John at St Mary's in town.

Today's pearl of wisdom: If you go and see Elton John live, and LuLu's supporting, turn up late to make sure you miss her!

Skip to the beat   (stage 2)

Skip was delivered today. Doesn't half look small. Got stuck in straight away and started moving some of the top soil into the skip. Only did about 1hr, and soon hit a nasty clay layer. Not looking forward to digging that up!

Many Arrivals

So the conservatory arrived today at 12:00 - just 15 mins before I had to leave for a mates wedding. I assumed they'd bring it round through the back gate by hand, but the B&Q guys hoisted it over the wall and right down into the back garden using the lorry crane. Time to get a skip and get this project moving.

21st

A slightly early arrival turned up today (also my Birthday) - a brand new nephew! Conservatory project on hold for the remainder of this w/e.

Hardcore   (stage 1)

Today I moved all the rubble which was left from breaking up the concrete last w/e. It will all be used as hardcore for the base, so it's a case of putting it somewhere out of the way for a while. Decided on a corner spot and on some grass which I know it will kill off, but we might want to replace at a later date anyway.

Shake, Rattle and Roll   (stage 1)

Before any foundations can be put down for the conservatories dwarf wall, I need to break up a rather daunting amount of 1970's finest re-enforced concrete patio.

A sledge hammer would have taken months, but a mate at work came to the rescue and lent me his neighbours 'kanga' drill. Not used one of these things before, but there's not a lot to it really. Took today off work and got stuck in bright and early. Nearly 8 hours later, and with arms shaking like an unbalanced washing machine, I'd finished. Not the kind of day I wish to endure again for a long time.

Loads of rubble to shift now, but off up to Ros' sister's for the w/e, so it'll have to wait.