The condensation in my 35mm. lens dried out overnight, so I was able to use it for today’s photographs of Martin. First we confirmed our choice of the new patio paving and he and I ordered the new material which will be delivered on 12th December.
Martin has continued to level the area to be recovered. The three loose stones are marking an blocked up old pipe leading from the site of the old kitchen sink to
the manhole forming part of the route to the septic tank.
Our friend spent some time planning the different stages still to be implemented. The wall behind him needs a layer of gravel before wooden sleepers replace the artificial brick wall.
Sweeping and raking the remaining soil is a continuing process. So much so that
Farwell’s skip is now almost full and another will be needed.
Martin has stacked the old paving that we might recycle in some way at the end of the Back Drive.
Dillon arrives at Heathrow tomorrow morning, so Jackie drove his little family to Southbourne from where Becky will drive them to collect him.
This evening we dined at Lal Quilla, where we were warmly greeted and fed as well as usual. My main dish was chicken Jaljala; Jackie’s chicken pasanda. We shared special fried rice, a peshwari naan, and a cauliflower bahji. We both drank Kingfisher. I have not mentioned the music before, but we always enjoy the gentle, rhythmic background lilt.
Congratulations on all of Martin’s progress. I hope he is not bone weary. Your dinner sounds delightful. I”m glad that the family is being reunited.
Thank you very much, Pat
So much work. I think you are fortunate to have Martin.
How lovely that the family will be reunited for the holiday season.
Thank you so much, Merril
Martin is a great worker, he has done so much work for you guys! I don’t understand how your phone numbers work… 😂
Thanks a lot, John
These chicken dishes are completely new to me. I had to look them up. In the US we have lots of Indian restaurants, but i don’t know of any Pakistani (I’m not sure there aren’t, but it would be very uncommon), and the dishes are all quite standard from one restaurant to the next.
Thanks very much, Luanne. Ours vary quite a bit
I look forward to seeing your new pavers in place!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
YAY for Dillon arriving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 So glad the family will finally be complete again! 🙂
Martin is doing such great work! 🙂
The dining out sounds so lovely…atmosphere, music, food, and companion! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” – Charles Dickens ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Wonderful that the little family will be reunited. Quite a thing to move so far. Just moving to the next town would wear me out. Also, Martin is doing a fantastic job. Phew! Talk about being tired out. Over twenty years ago, Clif and I installed the patio in our backyard. Couldn’t do it now, that’s for sure.
Neither could we, Laurie. Thanks very much. For Flo, it is coming home, and Dillon, we think, has Scots ancestry.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Somebody will be pleased to get your old slabs. We preferred old recycled ones for our patio a couple of years ago because brand new ones can sometimes look a little too bright.
Thanks a lot, John. We will probably use the old slabs to replace steppingstones through the beds
So much work! I’m tired just following it. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Thanks very much, Nicki
Excellent progress is clearly being made. I like the sound of Jaljala, although it would take more than a good name to stop me ordering Royal Bengal Special when I get the chance.
Thanks very much, Susan. I don’t know the Royal Bengal Special, but the Jaljala is hot, sweet and sour
Glad it dried out. I lost a lens due to condensation.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Ah … the crowbar laying on the ground in your first photo could tell many tales of tough toils in hard soils, Derrick …
I’m pleased you noticed that, Ivor. The books arrived yesterday. Well done
Judy is a good operator Derrick
Looking good!
I just love having a skip, though perhaps I should admit that I’m often guilty of having a rummage to find out what items Victoria and Simon have dumped into it.
And I now know why Americans and Canadians call them Dumpsters!
Thank you very much, Sue. Matthew was the ace skip hunter – probably still is. Jessica found a Hornby train set in its original box in one once.
Wow! What a find.
How carefully Martin works and what a difference this will make to your garden!
Thank you so much, Clare
It’s going to look great! I look forward to the completed project.
Thank you very much, Jill
I’m so glad your lens dried out. My camera body isn’t weather sealed, and I’ve had trouble with sweat getting into it from time to time; that was no fun, either.
Thanks very much, Linda
I’m so impressed with Martin’s work. It’s fun to see the process of before and after and getting ready for the new pieces!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
How exciting with a new patio! I wish I had a Martin – I do have some errant bamboo I need to deal with. Or, preferably have a Martin deal with it.
I wish you were near enough, Anna. Some years ago I spent 3 months of weekends digging out my sister’s bamboo. Beyond me now. Thanks very much
Yeah, it’s a chore, alright. Sigh..
It is surprising how much work goes into what one imagines will be a ‘simple’ job of lifting old pavers and replacing them!
It is, indeed. Thanks very much, Anne
I’m sure it’s going to look beautiful! Yay! The family will be reunited 🤗🎄
Thank you very much Ribana
We sure know why your home and garden look so great – look at all the work it entails!!
Thank you so much, GP. There was a time we could do it all ourselves. I have to admit there is some relief in accepting one’s limitations.
That’s a lot of work, Derrick, but I can already tell it’s going to be beautiful back there. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Thank you so much, Diana
Impressive progress and I look forward to seeing the results!
Thanks very much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
It looks like you and Martin have been very busy! I’m looking forward to seeing the progress 🙂
Thank you very much, Nikki.
Martin did a lot of work, and I a sure the new patio will be lovely. It sounds like you and Jackie had a wonderful meal out, complete with music, too!
Thank you very much, Lavinia
I think this post demonstrates both the volume of debris collected by Martin and the scope of the work he is doing. Quite impressive.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Your dinner at Lal Quilla sounds delightful! The project in your yard looks daunting! Thank God you have Martin there to help with all that! Best of luck with the manhole forming and all that exacting work. Wow! Looks like you’ll have a renewed sense of beauty out there with your new pavers and all the layers of gravel and wooden sleepers. I bet you are excited to see the finished product! Have fun with your family all coming to join you, {{{Derick}}}. Hugs to you and Jackie.
Thank you so much from us both, Jan XX
This already looks promising.
Thank you very much, Crystal