Remedial Rain soak-away work

One of the many tasks completed this leave was a quick bit of remedial work I had to do because of how I had set up the rain water run off that runs in the patio (terrace) and then under the sleeper steps and then under the crescent part of the terrace then away down to a large soakaway. 
(Ha I was going to say French Drain but I guess they only call them that anywhere that is not France, where they become just a Drain) 
Then there is to be fitted an overflow drainage pipe from the soakaway that leads down to a rock feature and then leeches out into the field and will take all the rain water from the back of the house away. 



The flaw in my cunning plan was that I realized I had made an error, in that I had no way of reaching in to remove debris in the trap (under the join of the sleepers) so I had to rectify that before we could start the terrace.
We lifted the sleepers and the metal cover I had installed. I then cut the metal channel covers underneath in order that the length of channel cover outside (on the main terrace) would be easy to remove and then we would be able to get a hand and arm in to unblock any leafy build up. 
The pictures are self evident as to the process as I had to make sure that the drain would work on the terrace and actually take the rain water from the crescent water into the save-all.







The solid metal covering over the channels is to protect debris from falling down between and behind the sleepers and blocking the save-all. 
You can see how with the solid metal debris preventers in place it will still be possible to remove the grating from next to the sleeper and either work a hose or a hand in to remove any crud.
the idea will be to have the first two feet of the channels filled with some scrunched chicken wire which will catch the usual autumn debris and be easy to draw out clean and replace. 


Once we had put the sleepers back it was time for us to start laying the terrace slabs that MrsB had made.
Happy days indeed 

Love and Peace
Bentley

Back to Sea with tales to tell

Aye Aye Land lubbers, Back to sea again but with lots to write about:- 
Loads of electrical work done, 
Kitchen floor in (whihc is a story in itself) 
Insulation progressing well, 
Back windows in (apart for the 4 meter one) 
Workshop 50% relocated, 
Fosse to be fitted within the month, 
Temp hook up to cold water in house enough for one bog, one tap and a washing machine, 
lots of fiddly bits of ceiling work done to accept the light fittings towards consuel, 
Work underway to ensure a snug family christmas with a temporary 14KW wood burner in kitchen. (it is actually an insert fire resting on bricks in the fireplace where the cuisinaire will go so will chuck all heat into the room), 
Some of the patio laid with the homemade slabs and much more.
and other bits as well so I will get writing and get some stuff posted on here. 


Here is one of the the news addition to the Bentley clan, which is a purchase that MrsB made at a car boot sale nearby and is particularly proud of.

It is a manual cement mixer. Roll a Mix



I have to say that I did laugh when I first saw it but for small mixes it really works as demonstrated here by MrsB

First load it up



Then take it for a little stroll



Then begin the emptying process step 1



Followed by step two



And voila a little mix for those little jobs that need doing sometimes




Of course the other alternative is to muck about "photo bombing" when I am trying to be serious 

I think the caption should read "MrsB stop fucking about and come over here and have a look at this. Its all French to me" 

  Ah well happy days 
Will write more in the next few days 
Love and Peace
Bentley