Tuesday 13 October 2015

Autumn update

Another busy few months has whizzed past! We've had a huge village fete, a significant birthday, a mini holiday and not much work done!!

Progress as a result resumes this weekend: The remaining sleepers have been delivered and as I type are being installed - photos will be added later!


The steps are nearly finished, it's been a case of dodging the weather and fitting it in between other commitments but as you can see we are nearly at the top!


 David Austin roses are another passion - Here's Jude the Obscure still flowering profusely in November?!! It's fabulous!





For my significant birthday in October my lovely kids bought me a Lutyens bench - something I'd always wanted! ( Lutyens bench in the lounge! )

My parents bought me a gorgeous marble topped table and cast iron chairs. 
All steam ahead then with the garden design plans, lots and lots of plants and bulbs gone in and the odd tree.


I now need to paint the base and the chairs. Can't decide play safe and keeping with the Scandinavian theme - grey? Keep it locally themed and go with Cotswold green or stamp my personality and go with a wacky bright colour!??... 

I also had a surprise birthday party at home and was presented with this fabulous cake! 


Last week I had a knock on the door and a chap selling aerial photos tried to make me part with a considerable amount of money - now I'm not famed for my negotiating skills but I did get him to reduce the price significantly as how could I possibly resist? I know it shows the property unfinished but when would we ever get an aerial shot at this stage of the build again!? 
Fingers crossed we'll get a finished one in the future!



The front fence is now complete and it all feels much more private. We still haven't got any gravel down as this is the very last thing - allowing delivery vehicles is still a priority and they simply refuse to drive up a gravel drive? Sounds stupid but sadly another fact with self build. 
It wil be very satisfying when it happens - technically we'll have finished!




And now as usual I have to add my inspirational photos - although this one is a bit of a pipe dream! We have given up on our plans for a pond as our last large Koi carp died (we came here with 14!) the heron finally got him through the net. We still had 20 or so goldfish who have been rehomed in my Dads pond. 
This is the kind of thing we dream of having - imagine...from my studio onto a decked area, looking over a pond? We'll see....


In the meantime much more of a reality is the patio area and raised terraced beds! I feel this is so close now and with Open Gardens in May we are both working hard to make this 'look' happen.





I love these shallow planters with 'hairy' grasses


The house itself has multiple snagging lists of jobs and of course jobs that we haven't ever managed to get  around to; floors to grout, lots of painting, shelving, doors, skirting all sorts! 

MAPLE BARN STUDIO NEWS:
I have been trying to make some time to get my studio straightened out. I'm currently working on a couple of projects and do have some workshops lined up - I just need the 'walk to' the studio to be a bit safer! 
Have a look on my Facebook page Maple Barn Studio for more information. https://www.facebook.com/Maplebarnstudio/?ref=bookmarks





And finally Village news: Pebworth won a gold award in the Heart of England RHS Britain in Bloom small village category! Here I am (3rd from left) with my fellow committee members: Jenny, Jean & Yvonne - huge amounts of hard work is done around the village by a small group of people, keeping it looking lovely all the time. It only enhances what a great place we live! 



Back soon

Wendi x