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A bit of an improvement on what was there before. Two more sessions will see this part of the work completed. Then there's the path that runs alongside the house and some steps to build. Looking forwards to it.
Now on the home stretch. Took all day to lay four slabs and point the joints! Should all be finished after another seven sessions!!
The first course of bricks are positioned dry and equally spaced to cover the length. Then chalk marks are made to indicate where the joints will be.
If you look closely, you can see a black line which is to be used as a guide for the first course of bricks for the new step.
A nice afternoon's work. Six slabs laid leaving only about fifty to do to complete the whole project! I don't believe in cement mixers, so it takes a while to prepare the bedding mix.
Four slabs laid today. I did have to collect them from a stonemason's yard, and also a trip to the recycling centre with excess soil slowed things down a bit. And I mowed the grass. My excuse for today's slow progress!
Two whole slabs and the one I cut have now been laid. I've made a bit of a mess with my muddy shoes, but that can be hosed and swept off in a couple of days when the bedding mix has gone hard and the slabs are secure. Just one more slab to cut and lay, lots of pointing up and that's the end of this story!
Some preparation done for the start of the path which will adjoin the house. It's time to start laying the slabs to the patio area.
Ten slabs laid. Thirty two to go!
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The first of the two courses of bricks which will make the front of the step are laid along the black line. A 4:1 builder's sand and cement mix is used.
The very first slab which is laid is crucial. Like wallpapering, if the first bit is not put in absolutely right, the whole lot will be out. My very first attempt at using a little angle-grinder was required to cut a small piece of slate out in order to go round the drainpipe. A few sparks and several clouds of dust later, I think I did an acceptable job.
The sand and cement mix has been spread over the supporting bricks ready to accept the slab.
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All the slabs have been given a good scrub and wash in preparation for a Royal Visit (Ian's Mum!)
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The path from the front door to the pavement is complete. Just the pointing to do.
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Some left over coarse sand has been spread over the soil to get rid of it. All good for drainage.
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It's beginning to take shape nicely now.
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All of the unwanted herbage has now been dug out from both sides of the path. Just the rotten Lilac to remove.
Wood carcassing will be installed from the front wall to the corner of the house to demarcate the garden from the drive.
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It's a bit different to the path that was there!
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As the path runs towards the house, a water catchment drain has been installed. The first slab has been laid which slopes very slightly towards the drain.
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Two strings have been installed to act as a guide for the path slabs.
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It won't be long before the soil is required in order to restore the levels.
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The step is now complete. The cement work has been tidied and the step sponged off to remove unwanted cement marks. The air-bricks are to let air in to the cellar.
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By complete luck, no slabs needed to be cut to fit in at the end. The white blotchy marks came with the slabs. No bad workmanship here! When the slab laying is complete, it will have a good scrub down.
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You can see how the first slab and the other slabs slope towards the drainage channel. Spacers have been used in all the joints, including the drainage channel to keep things very neat.
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Really beginning to take shape now.
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Last slab going in. Yes, they're quite heavy!
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The spacers will be removed at the end of the day and can be used again.
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Ian, looking lovingly at his front door, anticipating a nice new step up to it in a couple of weeks time!
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Just a few taps with the mallet for perfection!
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Just four slabs to go before all the paving is laid.
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Nearly there. You can't rush these things!
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Another five slabs laid, another six feet nearer the finishing line. Two more sessions and it's the step to build. I haven't done much of that, so looking forwards to giving it a go!
Ian, admiring his new path and patio area.
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Pointing of the joints of the step is completed. The pieces of wood are temporary, to hold up the pointing mix on the over-hang until it has set hard, otherwise it would just fall out.
Just finished before the rain started!