An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.

Day 12

View previous day here

Coffee.

Video footage applying the scratch coat

It's not until you watch yourself at work you realise your little habits, it would seem I like to tap the plastering spot board each time I fill the hawk, this is to ensure my steel trowel is clean for the next lay on.

Concreting the reflection pond

Concreting the reflection pond

Whilst I'm applying the scratch coat to the garden feature walls in the Marshall's kitchen area and the raised seating area the team mix the concrete for the base and footings to the reflection pond, 200mm depth of concrete in all will allow four courses of 225mm wide block work with 10mm joints, bringing the top of finish block work to 72mm below finished paving level.

Plastering the scratch coat

Plastering the scratch coat

I have completed the render scratch coat, all but one small area, now where's my Jewson lintel, I can only assume the missing lintel is walking the 5.7 miles from the Tiverton branch to my Cullompton landscaping project, perhaps I seek to much by means of an explanatory  phone call ??

Whilst I await I'll feed the last perimeter up-lighter cable through the electric ducting to the seven raised Marshall's black limestone planters.

Ducting draw cord connection

Ducting draw cord connection

I bend 200mm of the cable and clamp tight, I fasten the internal draw cord from the duct to the clamped loop of the electrical cable and wrap tight with duct tape.

At the furthest point of ducting from the draw cord connection I pull the cord slowly through the ducting, once the cable is fed through the ducting I include 500mm at each end for the electrician. Plastic is wrapped at both ends of the duct and the cable is wound up and secured.

Cable pulling

Cable pulling

This simple device of two road pins at the same height and a small bar or broom handle assists me when pulling the cable.

Still waiting

WAITING !!

Where's my Jewson lintel. 

Where's my Jewson lintel

Where be my lintel to I know where he be ?, actually I don't.

This kind of poor service would never occur from Phil Skeats at the Newton Abbot branch, what do I have to do to climb ranks in the Tiverton packing order?

Garden reflection pond footing and base

Garden reflection pond footing and base

With guidance from the rotating laser level at dig level I set the laser to 200mm above dig, this level is used through out the concrete pour, once all concrete has been mixed the levelled concrete is tamped and left to cure.

The lintel arrives !!

The lintel arrives !!

YAY 3.45 pm ........ I bed down the lintel and clean down the site.

I detest being in the hands of a sales rep, I call it a day for today.

Tomorrow were not relying on others.

Tomorrows blog:

Garden reflection pond and overflow system build.

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Billybop replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
"hi yes done several 1st cuts already, especially those which didn't get a late cut in November, really needed it"
16 hours ago
PGM posted a discussion
Have many started cutting lawns yet?We went out on Monday March 2nd. I was slightly apprehensive about whether the ground would be too wet or if the grass would have grown enough to warrant a cut, but all absolutely great. Ground plenty firm enough…
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James King replied to James King's discussion Ford Transit Custom Van Issue - Help!!!
"A huge thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. I'm no longer of the opinion it is anything to do with the glow plugs. I am convinced it is something electrical. I have since been in contact with the Ford Garage again and explained my…"
Sunday
Adam Woods replied to Peter sellers's discussion Tow behind scarifier
"Ouch - that will create a bit of waste to be racked up and got rid of!!!
A garden I used to look after had a Countex ride on - there was a Countex scarifier attachment in the shed - which we never used.. in fact I dont think anyone had ever used it;…"
Sunday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Tow behind scarifier
"Yes got 2 petrol but have a 3acre site to do, fancy giving us a hand!"
Sunday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Peter sellers's discussion Tow behind scarifier
"Well it's a tow behind it won't be much good as it isn't powered to rake through the moss and thatch. Cheap and don't do the job just spend money on a petrol one"
Saturday
Will Roberts replied to James King's discussion Ford Transit Custom Van Issue - Help!!!
"Hi James
if your van starts reliably when jump started and your own battery has been tested and is perfectly ok then it has to an issue of connectivity between your battery and the starting system. It's basic stuff but I'd be checking the earth…"
Saturday
Anthony Toop replied to James King's discussion Ford Transit Custom Van Issue - Help!!!
"Had a similar scenario with my previous MK7 Transit, turned out to be the starter motor, which was working but drawing excessive current. It would deplete the battery quicker as most of our work is very local, so battery was rarely charged enough.…"
Saturday
Sam Bainbridge replied to James King's discussion Ford Transit Custom Van Issue - Help!!!
"Plugs can be drilled if they break.off usually a 3rd party job.and can be a bit of a wait to get done but definitely not a new engine that's a load of rubbish.
The only other advice I can give is avoid ford vans they are terrible, sorry not helpful…"
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Grass Cutting 2026 Season

Have many started cutting lawns yet?We went out on Monday March 2nd. I was slightly apprehensive about whether the ground would be too wet or if the grass would have grown enough to warrant a cut, but all absolutely great. Ground plenty firm enough…

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