Path from house to observatory - ideas please.

[carastro]

I must say you have placed your pond in a rather unfortunate position for walking to and from the house and obsy in the dark.  Didn't you fall in it/roll into it recently?

Carole 

 

[Gina]

Errr... Yes... I rolled into it!  I guess I could move it...

[Gina]

I've ordered the 16 heavy duty 500mm square grids to make up the yellow path in the diagram.

Edited February 28, 2020 by Gina

[Gina]

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.

[Gina]

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 😁

Edited March 1, 2020 by Gina

[Gina]

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!!

[johninderby]

One of these perhaps? 🙂

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LARGE-POND-FOOT-BRIDGE-GARDEN-STREAM-OR-ORNAMENTAL-FEATURE-Site-Visit-Only/263564604786?hash=item3d5dacb572:g:fJMAAOSwLNVas9~X

 

[Gina]

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.

[Davey-T]

I should think one of those guys that does decking could knock something up.

Dave

[Gina]

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 🤣

Edited March 1, 2020 by Gina

[Gina]

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. 

Edited March 1, 2020 by Gina

[Gina]

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.

[Gina]

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.

Edited March 1, 2020 by Gina

[JamesF]

Might be worth asking at a local sawmill/timber yard if you have one, Gina.  They're often cheaper than the DIY sheds.

Those post spikes are often quite hard work to drive in too, especially to get them perfectly true.  It might be less of a pain to set the posts in concrete.

James

[geoflewis]

1 minute ago, Gina said:

The length of walkway will be 7.5mm

A couple of matchsticks should suffice then..... 😏😜

[Gina]

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 🤣

[Gina]

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!

[geoflewis]

Gina, Firstly my apologies for getting a laugh at your expense - my wife is always telling me off about that....

On a more practical note, I made up some temporary walking planks to solve a similar, though I think less serious problem than yours....

They were made from damaged decking stock that I purchased from B&Q for a few quid. You’d need more than 3, but 5 with a couple of feet between each one should improve the walk way and you could lift and store them when the weather is dry. Each section is 1 meter long.

Edited March 1, 2020 by geoflewis

[Gina]

17 minutes ago, geoflewis said:

Gina, Firstly my apologies for getting a laugh at your expense - my wife is always telling me off about that....

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.

[JamesF]

Perhaps you just need a pair of these, Gina

https://www.mudderboots.com/

James

[Gina]

Yes indeed - that will do nicely!! 😀

[Gina]

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...

[Gina]

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.

[Gina]

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.

[DaveS]

Gina, I've been ordering heaps of stuff from Wickes and they give me free delivery by CitySprint (Who are rubbish) from their Yeovil depot.