Biomass Part 5 + Garden

A few hiccups here and there but things move on.

The rocket is installed.

The plinth for the base which will hold the boiler and store is underway.

We are having the patio relaid properly, with proper foundations. When the builder dug down we thought it made the jungle look far more impressive, looking up. We asked if a lower patio could be done, but because of the lay of the land we would probably have ended up with a swimming pool.

Looking back up the patio, the brick wall is fading already, it did look rather orange when it first went up. It has already helped my 'micro climate' as it is now warmer on the patio than it has ever been before.

Due to a miscommunication, the coal bunkers will have to be moved (again) as apparently the boiler has a side door to access the ash removal!!!!

This clematis used to climb an arch I had here years ago, I thought it was dead but it has come back better than ever this year, climbing through the bamboo like a good un!

Gloriosa clambering through the trachy.

George

Indian Bean tree, which once I have space will be dug out!

The tree ferns, which I am hoping I can actually plant once all the work is done.

Lacy hosta's! They are coming out very soon!

Looking back up the garden

I am relieved that the garden is not open this year as this bed is looking very sad!

Something is happening here

Bio Mass Part 5

The buiders are being held up, having dug me a lovely 'moat' well it is after the rain last night, we need the special pipe that will connect the house to the Woodpecker, Cosyman, Biomass boiler. Then all the muck that was dug up can be backfilled.

As they where stood around leaning on their spades we decided to get the patio relaid (properly) so thats whats happening at the moment. The slabs have been lifted and offered on Freecycle. The scalpings have been ordered and so they have started digging out.

The front looks like this. Thats our 2nds skip. Slabs are stacked and ready to be collected. Nobody seems to want the old coal bunkers so they will go in the next skip. The bricks will be edging the concrete pads for the boiler and hopper. Beyond that is the gravel & sand for the concrete, then the scalpings.  Just round the corner on my neighbours drive is the sand for packing around the pipe in the trench.

I am so lucky to have such good neighbours.

Bio Mass Part 4

I do feel sorry for the builders, the weather has been unbelievably hot, I have gone through litre bottles of squash, ice cubes, and bottles of water in the fridge to keep them well hydrated. Anyway it was a bit quieter on the plumbing front but should re start Monday.
I have the most awful cold!!! For goodness sake where on earth did I get that!!!!
So the latest:
Clanger  and Alien are thrilled that a rocket has come to take them home!!!

This was the wall on Thursday

Yesterday 2 guys came to take the Rayburn

This is now a very empty space. I am very sad, as much as I cursed the dust and dirt, I loved it. It has been the heart of our home for 21 years. We now have a very empty space to fill, we do eventually plan to buy an Everhot cooker. But do need to save up for it, which could be a couple of years. So what to do with this space till then???

In the meantime the wall was finished Friday, looks so much better than the old grey one,

The trench for the cabling from the exterior boiler to inside the house has now been dug.

We have had alot of problems with disease in the pond over winter, because of the treatments I think this affected the balance in the pond. We have had masses of blanket weed and green yuk etc and I have tried just about everything to clear it. After a major internet search I found Hydra Crystal plus Aquatic Bacteria Boost and we can now see the bottom of the pond. It was that bad we needed to do two treatments.

As you can see we can now see to the bottom.

My beautiful Indian Bean Tree, Catalpa Bignonioides has got Verticillium Wilt disease, it is in the soil and there is nothing we can do about it. According to instructions we have to chop it down and grass it over for 15 years!!!!

which could prove difficult as I have no grass in this area. Really not sure what to do as once this is chopped down my garden will be unbalanced. Needs some thought. ..........