One of my favourite places is my back deck. It is an extra-ordinary place that we enjoy both in summer and winter. We laze around in hammocks in summer and love to wrap up with a hot cup of coffee to enjoy the cooler days. It welcomes the stray bird that looks for shelter or the mommy mouse who comes knocking on my back door for a crust of bread. It reaches out into the back and you can literally touch the garden from beneath the eaves. Its where I gather seeds and mulch and build my compost or drop my boot after a hard day in the garden. I find refuge here when I’ve had a long and busy day. The happy doors are opened and the inside becomes the outside! Here is where my family gather when they visit. The chickens are allowed on the deck on special occasions and we deck the halls with bows of holly for Christmas.
This is a special place! I wanted to share this with you. It is very much part of my garden.
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Deck Build Sequence
I have to add these next few photos when we built this deck over 3 years ago. Oh yes, we really did alot of handy work around our house. This house was not complete when we bought it, so we needed to put in lots and lots of TLC to create the wonderful home we live in now.
This happened on the 19th of October 2008 when we took two days to build the 14m x 3m wooden deck. We wanted to create a deck that had that pier feel when you go to the seaside (you know that tar smell that goes with it?) It is rough wood but precisionly laid out. I love that farm house look (when things are not quite straight) but build with all the exactness of a high-tech building – know what I mean?? Well you will see the result!
[one_half]The wooden planks ready to go to the back!
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[one_half_last]Preparation is the name of the game! Trust me!
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[one_half]The lay out begins – accuracy is so important
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[one_half_last]Working all night to finish-I’m exhausted!
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[one_half]Day 2, preparing the screws was my job!
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[one_half_last]The next morning the deck was complete!
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[one_half]But we were not – the railing was next!
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[one_half_last]All done – but the garden needs my attention
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[one_half]A back deck full view from the garden
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[one_half_last]Totally scruffy and worn out but happy!
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If any of you want to tackle a project like this, my suggestion is to prepare – prepare – prepare! This will be the best advice I can give you. Rather spend more time on the drawing board. Measure then measure again! Then you will get the results that will create a precision and beautiful deck that you will be proud of.
Happy gardening xxx