We've been working über hard on the garden, planting like mad into a newly dug flower bed! It's really been a case of chucking it all in (a technical gardening term I think you'll find) The funny thing is I've had very lovely plants in pots for years and years & not wanted to plant them in the ground as I always felt I'd move house again, but here, I've gone for it!
Some early shots of the newly planted bed..
I suppose that must indicate that I feel more settled here than I have for years?
We do still think this isn't our last house though & hope to "retire" (whatever that is?) to the coast one day... Perhaps another self build?!!!! Never say never...
Richard has been building our porch walls and we are laying the Indian sandstone flags to create the level access needed (disabled regs) for sign off (it all makes me slightly uncomfortable that we have to build a house to accommodate a wheelchair?)
Our electrics are almost done and certificate pending - this means we get to start the lengthy process of claiming our VAT back, which as you can imagine is a considerable sum.
We will then spend the majority of this on the landscaping which we'll have to do ourselves to keep the cost down.
Flags before grouting and cobbles...
We have also started working on the terracing - it's important we retain all the soil before the autumn & winter. I don't think I'll be planting until next spring apart from some bulbs perhaps? I've got my eye on the White Garden at Sissinghurst... Well I can dream can't I?
We had quite a hairy moment when hubby tried to get the excavator into the garden; the gap was 1010mm wide and the digger 1000mm - some of the fence got a little scraped and the bricks unfortunately were chipped but hopefully we won't need to do that again?!
Will he or won't he?....
The terracing taking great shape..
I had a conversation with a lovely neighbour recently - she commented on how much we'd achieved in two years and said she'd always worked to a 5 year plan; I must say this made me step back and review our achievement and I feel much happier with that time frame and more relaxed about the works needed. Amazing how a passing comment can affect you!
I've definitely been feeling very wound up about this last frustrating part of the build and trying to work the finances to fit so it's nice to sit back and be more philosophical.
Our village continues to impress - we've had NGS open gardens which were fabulous and an American BBQ (no idea why it's called this?) The judging for Pebworth in Bloom took place on 9th July & the support of the village was incredible! We've never lived anywhere where people are so proud of their environment, help their community & generaly like a good'do'!!!
On another note I will be changing my blog very soon - I will no longer be known as The Maple Barn Company and will change to 'Maple Barn Studio'. I think it's time to stop blogging about the house (which honestly is almost finished except for the hard landscaping outside) and start blogging about my Studio where lots of lovely sewing & printing will take place with workshops available from cushion making, bag making, quilting, screen printing and lots more!
I'm sure some of my followers will change but hope most of you will stay here and watch the studios progress? And I will of course drop in the odd house and garden update from time to time.
Thank you for all your support and lovely comments and emails over the last two years
Wendi x
