The "Heli Pad"

Since the AGM in Febuary I have had a free reign to design and execute hard standing, patios if you will, on the community orchard. The community orchard is the name given to the odd space plot at the end the allotment proper. I decided upon three circle diminishing in size. The orchard being an elongated triangular in shape. Several people suggested that an area should be reserved for a BBQ. I choose the smallest patio for the job given that it was down wind of the larger patios, supposing the prevailing wind is blowing. Then I thought that he BBQ patio should be square-ish for all the BBQ parafinalia.

In the weeks leading up to the patio laying, Dave a plot holder wheel barrowed thirty odd loads of hardcore in to he areas in had marker out. I raked them out and Dave dropped some more on the areas. In the meantime I had laid some new decking at home which yielded twenty odd 2x2 foot paving slabs which were destined for the big patio at the allotment. Sand and cement was ordered and delivered to the plot from the local Builders merchant. Steve another allotment holder helped move the slabs from my house to the allotment. Steve also sourced another dozen or so flags from Freecycle.org. Saturday came along as did the rain. Not enough to stop the job but enough to make it miserable. The weather bucked up after lunch and Steve turned in. In the morning I had been able to compact and level the hardcore on all three patio using a whacker plate I borrowed from a friend. I also was able to lay a dozen flags on the large patio. In the afternoon it was just a case of laying the remaining flags to complete the large patio. Steve was keen to have a square edged patio but since it was my design I kept to my idea of a circle. I had a Stihl saw [a cutting disc powered by a motor] to trim the flags. However the flags wher no yielding to the blade. The final act of defiance was that the drive belt for the Stihl saw snapped. That was an end to the patio laying. I will finish the edges off once I get a new belt.

I only intend to get the big patio ready this weekend. When I take up the next bit of the home patio I will do the next allotemnt patio unless Steve comes up with more freecycle slabs. Some wag has already christened the patio the "Heli pad".

Sandra, Dave and Judith have taken up the challenge to dig over and plant up the remaining area of the orchard with flowers. By the end of the summer it should look great. Perhaps I will be able to find time to sit on a comfy chair, on the heli pad with a cool beer as a respite.