Woohoo... whilst I was occupied digging and moving earth for the retaining wall to try and stay ahead of my father-in-law, my wife moved up the rest of the small white rounded gravel that forms the base of the playground area. And so, this is now complete... I do just need to trim back the weed mat so that isn't looking quite so scrappy...and get rid of the string. But as far as I'm concerned it is functionally complete!

When the weather dries out a bit (it has been raining quite steadily over the week or so...), I will probably put another coat of oil or some sort of outdoor finish on the wood. It doesn't really need it, but I may as well do it while it is looking fresh! On the other hand, there are other things that sort of need some attention as well...

... while this is built, I need to get my neighbour to fix their gutter on the garage... it currently just dumps water as it is completely broken, but because they can't see it they forget about it! It does make this area wetter than it needs to be... but it also erodes the earth under their garage... so, it probably should be something that is also in their interest to fix!

So, the retaining wall has progressed fast, and we are about one third complete! My father in law has gone to the coast to dismantle a house down there, which gives me time to catch up... putting the capping stones to the wall and then filling up the earth behind it. I will also need to start digging the trench for the next stage as well! So, lots to do in the weeks coming ahead whilst he is away!

There is one little area which we will have to have a look at though.... this is one end, and we will need to figure out how to tidy it up. I would prefer to make this into a little stairs that would cover up the problem area... so with the steps leading away from this photo... but my wife wants to have the steps going to the right! Which wouldn't cover up anything... but for some reason, it is the "right" way for the steps to lead!>!>!?!?!?!... I don't understand. I would still think that they would look better going in the direction of the wall!

... and so, as the weather gets colder, sealing up the doors and windows in the kitchen area is going to be more of a pressing concern. It should be an easy afternoon job... but sort of for that reason, it does sort of keep getting put back in priority. But when we are sitting down to eat, the person closest to the door definitely feels the draught!

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