The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

Turning GREEN ...

51 comments


It’s not easy being green …

……………………………………………………………………..

This blog follows on from our 3rd June story …
… Rebuilding It Ourselves …

……………………………………………………………………..

We’d built and replaced the first dog-run panel, and painted it green …

……………………………………………………………………..

However, all the other dog-run panels and gates were falling to pieces, and required replacing … and painting green …

A whole summer of work ahead …

… but it was fun …

……………………………………………………………………..

Many long slats of timber needed to be sawn by hand …
… so Team Terra invested in a new piece of kit …

……………………………………………………………………..

I’d realised the 8ft lengths would be too long for my little turquoise car, so I arrived at the DIY store prepared !

……………………………………………………………………..

Our home-made footstools are probably over 100 years old …

… my ancestors would have been chuffed to see these being used in this way !

……………………………………………………………………..

‘Bee & Kew’ has a timber-cutting service, but not ideal

… so I set up in the corner of the store’s car park …

……………………………………………………………………..

The sawn wood slats fitted neatly into my car …
… and, on the way home, amazingly I even found space for my groceries !

……………………………………………………………………..

Ready to paint more slats green …

……………………………………………………………………..

I was supervised by a young feathered observer…
… ‘Overhead Quality Control’ …

……………………………………………………………………..

Two more panels in place …
The hardest part was fixing them to the posts
… squeezing myself along the gap between the climbing roses …
… ouch !

……………………………………………………………………..

The weeks became hotter and hotter …
… but luckily, I like working in the heat …

And meanwhile, on the shady side of the garden, the hydrangeas were happy and content …

……………………………………………………………………..

The old panels I’d removed became useful as makeshift barriers, tied with string …
… so … why a temporary panel here … ?

……………………………………………………………………..

… ah … that barrier kept the dogs away from wet paint, and from where I was fitting the new end-panel …

……………………………………………………………………..

The dogs’ first access to the new green end-panel …

……………………………………………………………………..

… and my promise we would take a break for playtime …

…………………………………………………………………….

Back to work.
Conker counted 23 green slats …

……………………………………………………………………..

Inspection of my gardening slippers …
… seems they have only about another 2 years’ more wear … or maybe 3 years if I wrap them with sellotape …
After that, I’ll have to invest in new ones … Lol …

……………………………………………………………………..

And all the time, the pretty rose bushes I inherited from my mother bloomed more and more …

They were unconcerned by worn-out slippers … and unaffected by the busy scenes of carpentry and joinery …

……………………………………………………………………..

This angled green panel was the last one I made for the front side …
I measured carefully, but was still surprised that it slotted into place so perfectly … it fitted in happily, with no screws yet to hold it … just like the final piece to complete the edge of a jig-saw puzzle !

Truffle seemed very impressed … perhaps !

……………………………………………………………………..

… but we were working long, exhausting days …

… so, sometimes, the only way to sleep and recover was with a chin resting on someone else’s back leg …

……………………………………………………………………..

Another challenge was this awkward sloping area by the water butts …

……………………………………………………………………..

… I used plenty of wooden pieces as temporary props …

……………………………………………………………………..

At last the new green dog-run panels were in place …
… and the sunbathers approved !

The next task would be making green gates …

… but that’s for another blog on another day …

Thank you for visiting …

… and we hope we didn’t splash you with too much green paint !

More blog posts by terratoonie

Previous post: FLASH, BANG, WALLOP !!!

Next post: Manchester Dogs' Home



Comments

 

Just hillarious!
Totally enjoyed reading your blog. So amusing.

I thought I was the only one who apply tape on slippers lol lol Join the club! lol lol lol

Great job, TT ♪
I wish I were as talented as you. I guess I'll just have to give it a try :o)

18 Aug, 2014

 

Thanks Tommy ..
amazing what you can do with a hand-saw, some pots of paint ... and a few rolls of sellotape .. Lol. ;o)

18 Aug, 2014

 

You're so funny TT ♬
I love sellotape. They are quite versatile :p

18 Aug, 2014

 

What a team! Hope you get to sunbath too.

18 Aug, 2014

 

All that work is SO impressive Terra . . . well done you. Hope you're putting your feet up now!

18 Aug, 2014

 

Hi Linda ..
No opportunity yet for me to sunbathe !

Thank you, Sheila ..
No rest time yet ...
... maybe I'll have a relaxing winter !

18 Aug, 2014

 

I can't believe you've done all this yourself ! I don't think I could have done it ! It all looks brilliant Terra. Well done ! I just hope the sun continues to shine so that Conker and Truffles can sit in the sun !

18 Aug, 2014

 

Hi Rose..
thank you ...
... to be honest, when I look at the photos I can't believe we did it either. Lol.
Yes ... some more warm days would be good ...

18 Aug, 2014

 

Lovely blog terra, and the boys helped to, they look exhausted, hehe

18 Aug, 2014

 

I've been waiting for this blog Terra! Excellent job...but 'Gardening Slippers'? lol! You're worse than me for inappropriate attire! ;))

18 Aug, 2014

 

Oh Terra thats classic, I wish I'd seen you sawing away in the carpark, very handy couple of stools you have there too, you sure are good at the woodwork and your slippers look good for a few more tasks yet, lol..
Conker and Truffle look mega impressed with their new pen and judging by their pose afterwards, typically male they just had to have a nap, lol....
Great blog and pics Terra..

18 Aug, 2014

 

Great blog Terra....:>)

18 Aug, 2014

 

Another great blog Terra, very funny and extremely enjoyable.

18 Aug, 2014

 

I just love your blogs Terra. They are very entertaining.
Nice pictures of Conker and Truffles and your quality control bird. All that work in your slippers:-) Well done.

19 Aug, 2014

 

☆☆☆☆☆ Gold Stars for Team Terra ★★★★★

what an organisation!

Clever dogs ? ? and ? and ? and team leader ?

well done xxx

19 Aug, 2014

 

Terra, I forgot to mention, I note you get your timber from Bee & Kew ...... I assume that as it sounds like a gardening store, GOYers get discount there.... lol. I also chuckled when you cut your timber up in the car park, did anyone stop and chat to you, or offer to help?

19 Aug, 2014

 

Thanks Sue, Karen, Sue, Moti, Klahanie, and Pam .. for the comments and 'likes' ...
Those gardening slippers have walked and worked many miles ..

Alan ..
When I was sawing up my wood slats in the car park, I did wonder if other customers would walk across with their newly purchased timber ... for me to cut to size ;o)

19 Aug, 2014

 

Owww well done TT.....

19 Aug, 2014

 

Brilliant blog Terra ... you have worked so hard with great results ... now sit back and relax! :o)

19 Aug, 2014

 

Terra, you could have made a few bob and put it in next years "gardening kity" ...... lol

19 Aug, 2014

 

Thanks Holly :o)

Hi Shirley ... thank you ... can't relax yet ..
I spent all Sunday dismantling a big shed !

19 Aug, 2014

 

Hello Tim
Thank you ... very kind words.
I'm pleased with the new dog-run.
Finding it easy to use and it blends in well with the rest of the garden.

19 Aug, 2014

 

Terra ... please don't overdo it or I shall tell Joanne ... lol!!

19 Aug, 2014

 

Brilliant job TT and super blog as ever, I just had to smile at your ingenuity - cutting up your wood in the car park on ancestral footstools - superb, You could have charged a bob a job to other customers!! As to your gardening slippers they have certainly served you well so far, You just have to look at the wonderful job you (and Team Terra of course!) have achieved in them to see that - magic slippers I say.
Dog Run - Gold star standard.

19 Aug, 2014

 

Hi Shirley ..
I am sooo grateful to Joanne ... her special advice meant I could use my shoulder with a lot less pain ... without her I would not have been able to even start on this work ...

Thanks Neena ..
yes, if money gets really short, I'll set up a wood-cutting service in Bee and Kew's car park. Lol.
My speciality is that I take extra care to choose to use the timber parts with no large knots !

20 Aug, 2014

 

Brilliant blog as always Terra and a fantastic job well done ! I love the green colour paint you used , blends in beautifully with the garden and looks so fresh. The 'boys' look really chuffed with their new pen too. :-)

20 Aug, 2014

 

Hello Nancy
Thanks for visiting my blog ..
Yes, I'm very pleased with the paint colour ..

... and my canine helpers approve too .. ;o)

20 Aug, 2014

 

Very cleverly done. I like the green slats too, blends in nicely with the garden.

20 Aug, 2014

 

Hi Paul ..
Thanks... the paint was being sold at a special bargain price, so I risked it and bought 4 tins. Good thing the colour turned out so well !

21 Aug, 2014

 

Brilliant blog Terra... would love to have seen you cutting up you planks in'Bee&Kew' car park....I laughed so loud OH had to come and have a look, mad hgim smile too!!Love the colour of your paint...what is it?
Thanks for making us smile, but you've done a brill. job....go on treat yourself to some new slippers, fo a job well done!!:-)))))))))

21 Aug, 2014

 

Hello Val ..
The paint is Maple Leaf ...
a lovely name for a pretty colour ..
glad my Bee and Kew antics made you both laugh :o)

My American pen-friend sent me some new slippers ... she is very kind !

21 Aug, 2014

 

Hello TT :) You've been busy ! I like the green colour and I'm sure Conker and Truffle approve too ...
I like the colour of your car. I'm glad you could fit everything in.
Your plants are looking healthy and growing well :o)

22 Aug, 2014

 

Hello Hywel ..
Thanks.
I'm pleased you like my colour choices. :o)

22 Aug, 2014

 

What a team. Brilliant work,photos and commentary. I'm off to bed laughing.

22 Aug, 2014

 

Thank you Scotsgran ...
we hope you had a good night's sleep
... we're glad you like the blog.

23 Aug, 2014

 

Marvellous the things you can do TT! The dog run looks a really professional job as well! Well done! :-))

23 Aug, 2014

 

Thank you Balcony ...
The dog run is working smoothly ... I'm very glad I put so much effort into it ... will be such a help in the winter too.

23 Aug, 2014

 

Very entertaining, TT. Before I retired I had a small car and often had to adapt DIY materials to fit in so I know what it's like. Recently I went to the same store you use to buy wallpaper and paint for indoor decorating but had to get it home on the bus - they said they didn't have anything to put the wallpaper rolls in until I asked to see the Manager (holding a long queue up!) who suddenly produced a wallpaper bag! Even so I nearly took several other elderly persons out as I board the bus :)

Your hard work has paid off, it looks great. If I tried to keep Millie in a run it would have to be very high as she is an excellent jumper :)

24 Aug, 2014

 

Hello Gee ..
Yes, I can imagine Millie being able to jump high over wooden fence panels. When I was discussing dog-runs with CottageKaren, we decided that Willow the Labrador Retriever would probably decide to chew the wood to give herself a route of escape... Lol.

I like your wallpaper story .. but it does occur to me that a bus would have been long enough to accommodate my 8ft wooden panels without needing cutting !

24 Aug, 2014

 

A bus would have coped, TT, so long as all the passengers sat on the other side :)

24 Aug, 2014

 

Late again, Terra,but better than never, ! :o) Wow,how hard you have worked,and I love the colour you have chosen..glad your shoulder allowed you to do it :o)
I can just picture you in Bee and Kew car park..!Lol I bet some thought it was for a new series of 'Candid camera' ha ha..well done,it looks great :o)x

24 Aug, 2014

 

Hi Sandra ...
Thanks for visiting.
I've written several blogs lately, but, as with this one, only about local happenings.

25 Aug, 2014

 

I've actually kept up to date with the last ones..it was just this I missed,I think ..hey,2 out of 3 ..getting better ! :o0 x

25 Aug, 2014

 

Hello Everyone, WOW!!! its a Fantastic Blog, I really love it Terra ...Rio' and I enjoyed seeing this, All in One Blog, Rio said, You are amazing Terra , and CTC is the center of attraction, they give pleasure, and they're very special, WOW!

27 Aug, 2014

 

Hi Junna and Rio ...
Thank you !
We've certainly had a busy summer

Terra, C,T and C. xxx
:o)))

27 Aug, 2014

 

Hi Homebird ...
Thanks. The Stanley angle gadget has been very useful ... I used it for lots of sawing projects and I cut angles on the ends of some of the horizontals ... it works very well.

Yes... waterproof slippers are essential ! ;o)

17 Sep, 2014

 

Well done, another wonderful blog TT.

13 Oct, 2014

 

Hi Dotty ... thank you :o)

14 Oct, 2014

 

:*))

14 Oct, 2014

Add a comment

Recent posts by terratoonie

Members who like this blog

  • Gardening with friends since
    29 Mar, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    10 Mar, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    17 Jan, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    29 Jan, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    23 Feb, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    14 Apr, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    10 Dec, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    22 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    11 Sep, 2013

  • Gardening with friends since
    12 Feb, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    9 Aug, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    10 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    28 Jan, 2014

  • Gardening with friends since
    16 Jul, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    3 Jul, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    12 Jan, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    5 May, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    14 Jun, 2014

  • Gardening with friends since
    20 Aug, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    7 Jun, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Apr, 2014

  • Gardening with friends since
    1 Oct, 2013

  • Gardening with friends since
    19 Mar, 2012

  • Gardening with friends since
    2 Nov, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Apr, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    18 Sep, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    30 Dec, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    16 Feb, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    22 Jun, 2011

  • Gardening with friends since
    31 Mar, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Sep, 2008