Shrubdown

Down went the trees and plants:


Meanwhile, on the other side, some new concrete in-fill:


Looks like the grass is next.

Growers

New topsoil went into the beds at the front today, and the plants started to arrive:

That's two mountain ash trees, a dwarf cherry tree, and a bunch of shrubs I don't know the names of.

Filling in

We're getting to that time when the landscaper works to sunset.

Yesterday the kerbing was taken away from the front of the house, and it looks neater now:


The space between the stones was filled in with sand, thus completing the structural works.

Attention turns to the gate-fitter who will be over on Saturday to take the final measurements.

Meanwhile, we discussed plants with the landscaper -- rowan, bamboo, foxglove, rosemary, gorse, fuchsia: that sort of thing -- and we had a meeting in the yard to discuss arrangements.

In a reversion to much earlier plans, we're going to have a small piece of lawn, in a sort-of kidney shape in the large bed, pegged out here:


More top soil is on order, and he'll be going shopping for plants tomorrow. I doubt the next phase will take long.

When Saturday came

Yesterday was all about fixing the paving, so the edging stones are now cemented in like this:


There was a bit of controversy over this kerbing along the front of the house:

We don't like it, so next week it'll be taken out, cut down to ground level and put back. And then it'll be time to talk about planting.

Curb it

This is how things were left yesterday, with the edging in place:

There was actually more work done today but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see that.

The day before

Sorry, I've fallen a day behind. This is how things looked at close of play yesterday:

Nice eh? Looks even better now: pic tomorrow.

Block party

Rain hampered progress towards the end of the day, and the light was a bit poor to show off the new blocks by the time it finished, but here's the new driveway so far:

Hopefully the rest of them will be put down tomorrow.

Screeds and screeds

Here is the base layer of screed, ready for the blocks:

That will hopefully be tomorrow, though is very much weather-dependent.

Flat out

It all started looking a bit more final today:

The last of the breaking-up was done, the hardcore layer arrived ahead of schedule and was flattened on.

That's it for now. Early next week there'll be a layer of sand, followed around Wednesday by the new surface.

Since there'll be no updates for the next few days, here's a bonus picture from the front:

He pegged it

With the skip out of the way, the front is really starting to take shape now:

The wooden pegs show the level of the finished drive, rather higher than at present.

The central causeway is due for break-up tomorrow, then there will be a break while the construction materials are ordered. He hopes to have the first layer of hardcore down next week.

Goods outwards

It's getting on for two years since there was last a skip outside 265, but there's one now:

The excess soil and big rubble is for carting away, the smaller rubble will stay and be a foundation for the new driveway.

And, as you can see, the digging work for the south side of the driveway was done.

I'm looking forward to seeing it all cleared and ready for building later this week.

End of the break-up

That's the last of the driveway broken up, except for the thin access causeway:


Next, the rubble is to be carted away and the right-hand shrubbery is to be dug out in a matching arc.

Smashy smashy

In a change to our previously-advertised schedule, the landscaper left his shovel behind today and got busy with the sledge hammer and crowbar instead:

That will continue Monday, once he's found somewhere else to park his van.

Arc dig conditions

The landscaper arrived today and started digging out the lawn, completing the big curve of the new driveway:


The immediate plan is to attack the shrubbery opposite tomorrow, and on Monday break up the surface of the driveway. However it's all very weather dependent so delays are to be expected.

The eve of destruction

We've been making gradual progress with the front garden over the last couple of months.

The front lawn has been sprayed and is very nearly dead:

The landscaper has measured out the design and drawn us a plan:

We've been to the stone merchants to choose a surface paving:

And we've had the gate man over to give us an estimate for the main gate and side passage, though he can't take final measurements until the new surface has been laid.

We expect the ripping and digging to commence in the next day or so.