Teatime and a twix -Fry's flatpack

This morning I had a cup of Tea and a Twix too.
Kettle works well and whistles (from Blacks I think) the stove seems pretty efficient - at a pinch you could have beans and sausages.
Listened to the radio while starting work on the compost enclosure.

I don't know if many people saw Jo Brand and Stephen Fry on the normally radio constricted "I've never seen star wars.." it was very amusing to see that there were things that Stephen did not take to easily - particularly building flat pack furniture and physical exertion -very funny to watch.

Tool Holder

Another improvement is that I now have a home for some of the odds and ends (of course I need more though.)

Shelves to follow and a couple of deck chairs - then be able to have that cup of tea and a biscuit while listening to the Archers.

After that I'll start work on the pallet compost heap.

outside storage box added

Today I took a table down to the shed - it's a fine old table donated by my Uncle Len and Aunty Joan about 30 years ago when I got my first house and it was fairly old then!

I also added a few more ancillary fixings to help secure things and put a storage box together - got a bargain radio from Currys and a country type clock in the shed but not had that cup of allotment tea as yet.

Just a shed at twilight

Here's the shed as I left it about 4:15 p.m. just getting dark.

Pretty much finsished the shed construction now and have padlock in place - I've even added coat hooks. Next is a table and some storage system, then weatherproofing. Some little splits here and there but generally quite happy with the overall project outcome. looking forward to making a mug of tea down there!

almost there..

Saturday (one week after delivery) and I have roof on and the shed is secured to the base.

The shed feels fairly solid and is largely weather proof, need to add some more tacks, edging to the roof and the latch for padlock then it's finished.

Then we can put the storage box up, start the compost enclosure and begin putting the tools down in their new homes.
If we get a spell of dry weather we can start the wood protection treatment too.

At least we have somewhere to shelter, have a cup of tea and hang our clothes!

Fiddling with the roof - first you see it ..

So I wasn't doing a Topol impersonation but today I rearranged the walls so that they align with the floor and managed to get the first half of the roof up.

There are two sides to every shed and while I'm making progress there still remains a gap in the roofing which I need to fill.

The verticals

Fortunately I had a helper today (Debbie see left) and we were able to get something that looks like a shed - hoping for a calm night as it's not attached to the base and has no roof yet!

Some adjustments need to be made as I've not understood the instructions properly but getting there and am greatly encouraged.

windows and door

So another pretty mild day here in London Town and although it was a bit wet under foot I managed to finish securing the floor to frame and unlike Michael Caine in The Itlaian Job I 've been adding a door (as well as windows) hoping tomorow to get some verticals happening and then who knows?

'Floor in'

Today I had a good go at getting the base level (ish) and have also secured the floor to it. Again I'm limited by how long the cordless drill has oomph.

Weather was not bad and really progressing - it's funny how such projects don't really go to plan and after a while I don't follow the instructions too slavishly. This though is part of the fun.

I expect more challenges as I add the walls and roof. There is another Waltons youtube video here that explains construction.

Shed base and the death of Chris Hitchens

Now I decided to start the Shed base today and have made some progress (see picture) quite impressed to see that there is a video to help me too.
The job does requires some tools and as I'm away from electricity I'm having to use a rechargable drill.
That and the weather turning wet means I've not yet finished the base but Tuesday looks a better weather forecast.

I was sad to learn of Chris Hitchen's death - he seems to have been an admirable person and I can relate to how he feels about the changes that have befallen society - there was a time when Utopia was something that seemed to be a goal worth striving for - sadly consumerism appears to have removed this from most people's radar. The view that we all should have more and that only competition will improve our 'lives' is shallow but in the current climate to decry it is a heresy too far.

As Hitchens said..

There is no longer a general socialist critique of capitalism --certainly not the sort of critique that proposes an alternative or a replacement. There just is not and one has to face the fact, and it seems to me further that it’s very unlikely, though not impossible, that it will again be the case in the future. Though I don’t think that the contradictions, as we used to say, of the system, are by any means all resolved.

So rare now to see the word even used.

Shed as a kit

So the good news is that my shed is here - the less good news is that I've got to put it together (actually not really bad news - think it might be fun).
The shed (7 x 5 -shouldn't be too surprised that sheds remain imperial) was delivered by a very nice guy who had driven down from Newark (Walton's base) he called 30 minutes before he arrived as promised and I helped him unload at allotment gates - then for me to move it to 202b (our plot)
Although the shed was ordered from Tesco Direct - I'd think it could be worth dealing directly with Waltons- not because anything has been wrong with service but Tesco is big enough to look after itself and be good to see the little guys prosper.

The picture above shows what it looks like now - I've got some wood treatment to use on it (greens) and a padlock, next to it will be composting and a storage box -hopefully there'll be another more exciting picture for next week.

There are some great shed websites here's one - very aspirational...


The first few frosts don't appear to have wiped out my Beans, Garlic or Shallots - I did pull some weeds up that are near the soft fruit bushes on Saturday as they are still sprouting!

Shedtastic

So last weekend I did some work in advance of shed delivery.

restrictions mean that a concrete base is not permitted, am using slabs with a weed barrier - will put some sand to level this ahead of construction.

Delivery is scheduled for today (Saturday 17th) and it's bl**dy cold so hope it arrives.

Soft fruit expansion plans

After a week in USA listening to Christmas Carols (not the main purpose of the visit) it was good to spend some time on the allotment.

Yesterday I added Goosberry and Blueberry bushes.

Happy to report also that broad beans now planted out and further half dozen Garlic plants - weather is still mild so hope that we don't suffer hard frost untiol all established.

US hairdressing

Spent most of last week in USA - near Washington, somewhat concerned that the majority of restaurants have TV showing and that many American males think that in 2011 it is permissible to wear a pony tail. if you're of a similar mind It's quite illuminating to read this article

I did try and find another person moaning about TV in eateries - surely if there's a big sports event you can eat before or after (I'm fine with Pubs/Bars showing sport - even with some snacks) - seems I'm, alone