GARDEN: The Garden Shed Project ~ Part 1

Spring arrived early this year and it is great to be pottering around the garden in April in weather that we'd normally get in May. 

The bigger picture for this Summer's garden project involves the dream of a big Summerhouse stretched across the back, providing additional space as a workshop, studio or just a super shed that can be filled with accumulated junk.

But before that can even happen a few things need to be moved around - like the existing shed.

The shed as it was

The plan is to magic it to a size that sits in the far corner between the line of Silver Birches that flank the boundary. Surprisingly, when clearing out the back area I discovered that there was already foundation of sorts buried under 6 inches of dirt; the built up of falling leaves from the trees, decomposing over the years and making excellent compost. 

The designated shed space & old paving

Poured concrete foundation

Like a magic trick, the shed was sawn in half and put back together again. 

Look closely and you can see the saw

You can see the new concrete base behind the shed

The back panel is moved forward

The discarded timber recycled to cover the old windows and replace any split slats.  

Windows gone

The new mini-shed still needs finishing but is beginning to resemble an old fashioned outhouse!    My trusted assistant, Pepper Kitty checks to see that the neighbours aren't watching...

View from the back

The base now needs to be sawn and the shed finished with corners, repainted, etc. Without the roof it should be a two man lift to get it into its new position... to come in part 2.

There is still plenty of space inside for the lawn mower, pressure washer, shovels, rakes and garden tools.  

Plenty of years left in the old thing

Part 2 coming soon...

SEVILLE: Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija

For me one of Seville's gem's is the Palace of the Countess Lebrija.  If you like houses and interiors you'll find this one tucked away in the historic city center on the Calle Cuna.  The Palace was built in the 16th century but remodeled in the 19th century and is mainly noted today for its impressive Roman mosaic floors.  The late Countess Regla Manjón Mergelina who acquired the property in 1901 was really passionate about historical artifacts and bought the mosaics from archaeological sites, where they were installed between 1901 to 1914. A real labour of love and commitment  She was also an avid collector of busts, art objects, etc which are displayed throughout. The spectacular Mudéjar style patio and brightly tiled rooms are really something else as you can seen from the photographs below.  It was opened to the public in 1999, and unlike the Alcázar, it's the homely touches that bring it alive. Sadly we couldn't see the upper floors as the tour wasn't scheduled until the afternoon, but every space that we did see was spectacular.

 

"Houses have their own countenance.  They have souls.  They have something indefinable, born of an idea or feeling. Now, renovated and embellished, it is the short compendium into which my whole life has been condensed." ~ Countess de Lebrija