Gina

The plastic grids arrived today and my goat helped me unpack them by eating the cardboard packaging! 🤣 This afternoon I laid some of them on the ground roughly where they will be going.

Brilliant!! Nice one

I haven't seen it before so yes, let's see more.

That was my favourite series.

The only software I know of that does it all in one package is PixInsight. Costs money but has a free trial period. Not that that is long enough to learn very much about it. It has a steep learning curve but there are tutorials on the net and I recommend the book "Inside PixInsight" Second Edition. Compared with the cost of hardware, PixInsight and the book aren't much.

I used shiplap on mine. Something better than the usual but can't remember what now. Redwood seems to ring a bell. The hundreds of build posts should have the information buried in them somewhere!

Think I bought a tilt adapter from FLO some time ago. Link

Yes indeed.

Not sure it's worth the effort to get those fence post spikes out since they only cost £9 each. All 4 cost less than a week's groceries.

I've moved them in the ground with my sledge hammer but to get them out may not be so easy. They have a 10mm hole in each side that will take a bolt and then a lever system and heavy weight (or clout with hammer) might work. Not trying today though - too cold. Had a thought - don't need a fence post at the obsy end - I can use the corner post. So 4 posts about 6ft apart should do it. Probably don't need post spikes to support the deck - a piece of timber just driven into the ground should do. Alternatively, maybe some concrete blocks. Had another quick for timber in the big shed. I have a few hefty planks that will take some getting at. Otherwise, what look like scaffold planks just over 3m long.

I have 4 of those fence post spikes that I drove into the ground for my planned mini observatory that didn't materialise and now I've changed plans and don't want the spikes where they are. I wonder it they'll come out...

I've cut spacers form thin aluminium sheet before now and even cardboard. Cardboard doesn't weld itself together!! Aluminium has been known to.

Yes indeed - that will do nicely!! 😀

No need - doesn't bother me! B&Q is around 15 miles or more from here but I have a couple of nearer places I may try. Unfortunately, a place that uses to sell used goods closed down. They sold things like old railway sleepers which were great for garden use.

OTOH judging by the way everyone round here jumps on mistakes or possible wrong interpretation of things, I'm not so sure! 🤣 Fortunately, I can see the funny side. And I'm happy to provide amusement!

I think I shall have to spell out metres to avoid confusion though this was a straightforward typo (which I'm very prone to!!) A single "m" could be taken as miles but then who would build their obsy 7.5 miles from their house??!! Don't think I should worry on that score 🤣

I shall need to decide how far apart the fence posts and deck supports need to be. The length of walkway will be 7.5mm. If I use Homebase Arris Rails I shall need three. I don't think the posts would need to be closer than 1.5m apart which would mean 6 posts (5 spaces). If I went for wider spacing eg. 5 posts, they would be spaced at 1.875m (about 6ft). For 4 posts the spacing would be 2.5m which I think may be too much. I'll need to check up what timber I already have that I can get at.

Looked at two possible sources for materials. Homebase and Wickes. Generally Wickes tend to be cheaper but the nearest Wickes is about 14 miles from here and Homebase is only 6 miles. Of course, I could get most of the Wickes stuff delivered at extra cost. I'm planning to go into town sometime in the week when/if it's fine and look in Homebase both to collect bits and have a general look round for ideas. I prefer to see what I'm buying than trust to delivery. I know what timber can be like and if I get it from Homebase I can pick straight bits! The main parts I shall want several of are fence posts plus the ground spike to hold them and a capping rail. I shall also want bits in between but my timber stock should supply that. Homebase. Wickes.

BTW... Looked up prices for bridges over ponds etc. and one the length I need (7.5 metres or about 25ft) would be well over a grand (£1000). That £299 one (inc. delivery) must be tiny!! It won't be a single span bridge though - more like a raised walkway with space underneath for the rainwater to get through. I've decided I shall build a handrail to go with it for extra safety.

I'm capable of carpentry (taken fairly slowly) and have a fair stock of timber. Just need to shift a few things to get at it. Don't think it will need to be terrible long lasting - 20 years should be sufficient - I'll be well on my way to a telegram from the Queen King by then!! Nothing like being positive 🤣

That looks ideal but no mention of how big it is. Also it says "Site Visit Only" so it seems you need to visit their site in person to order it. Anyway, I don't believe it possible to buy a ready made bridge like that for under £300. It's too good to be true I reckon. Of course, It might be a lot smaller than it looks. I think if I could buy a suitable bridge for £300 I'd do it.

Just been out and had a wade in the bog. I think I shall have to pile the ground to provide a solid foundation for any path or bridge! The soft mud is several inches deep. I sank in a couple of inches in my wellies!! I think if this wet weather continues without sufficient dry periods I shall have to abandon night visits to my observatory. I managed to get across just now (between showers) but it was hazardous even in daylight!!

Just been out in the bog looking at providing a bridge over it to my observatory!!

One idea might be wooden decking with chicken wire stapled to it for grip in wet/icy weather. Of course, I am getting those plastic grids which should give good grip. There are all sort of permutations of ideas for this 😁

Was watching a garden makeover programme on TV yesterday and saw a raised walkway which looked just like I was thinking of for my observatory access. This is similar but nearer the ground. I was thinking of having the decking further above ground but not necessarily. I like the idea of a handrail. But this sort of decking would be better for the sort of weather we get.