Sunday, May 23, 2010

The concrete and the clay beneath my feet

A long, long time ago when we bought Genie Towers, it was what would nowadays be called 'a project'. We did a fair amount of updating (some new wiring, new windows, redecorating, new kitchen, new bathroom, new carpets, etc - all of which are now past their best again - don't mention the bathroom) but pretty much just kept on top of the garden. This meant that as it became more and more 'established' it started to look a little neglected, if not downright shabby. So we've taken the bull by the horns and decided to replace the fence at the front, from a delapidated standard panel affair which was well past its best and was, frankly, falling apart, to (eventually) a picket fence. This means not only removing the panels which I think were being held up by the ivy, not the other way around



but also removing the rotten supporting posts. It was at this point that we realised whoever installed them intended them to be there for ever and ever. How much concrete does it usually take to support one 3" x 3" fence post? We didn't expect this much. I wonder how we can get rid of it, other than digging another hole and burying it ....



Elsewhere in the garden the lily of the valley is going feral. That I can live with because it smells just delicious in the sunshine.

7 comments:

Lord Hutton said...

If you strapped it to someones leg, they would be less likely to run around naked.

Rich said...

Ooh I can see the shadow of a pump - does it work?

We've got lily of the valley too. Sam took a posy of it in to school for his French teacher on May Day (as per French tradition apparently). Teacher was well pleased - she's been in the UK for 20 years and this was the first time anyone had ever done that for her. We're hoping for extra grades for that one.

Jeangenie said...

Yes, the pump does work - it's very useful when there's a drought.

omally said...

Ooo, so that's what that stuff outside our front door is! That or it's wild garlic, which smells like fried onions spring :)

NigelH said...

Good luck painting the new fence!

Jeangenie said...

It'll be stained, not painted. Lois. Rods for backs springs to mind!

silver horde said...

Must be the time for new fences! We just replaced ours, which was also only held up by ivy!! Ivy seems to be invincible, some of the underground roots were as thick as tree trunks!