Shed progression

 

We met with Dmytro, a Ukrainian woodworker, who is going to erect our shelving, loft, and stairs. Alex gave him a basic outline plan, and Dmytro is going to draw up a detailed plan via CAD for review prior to build-out. He's tied up on another job for about 2 weeks so that works out well. 

We then went to McHales in Castlebar this morning to view containers that they refit for special purposes. Alex's idea was that we need a clean room for the winery and a container could fit the bill. I was skeptical but, by the time we were done, I was sold. 

So, we're going to put in a 20-foot container, with insulation so we can maintain fermentation through winter, electrics fitted for lighting and equipment, and water for cleanliness. It will have the typical container doors for equipment access and a people door for safe access. The container will sit in one corner of the shed and will have storage on top as it is load-bearing. Here's what it will look like:

It will cost in excess of €5000 but that's less than it would cost to build a room for the purpose. Now we have to order the equipment, de-stemmer/crusher, press, fermentation vats, bottler and corker. It's all coming together. 

Alex has started moving stuff into the shed, beekeeping stuff first. The RTV and mower look tiny in there whereas they looked huge in the polytunnel. He is laying down pallets so nothing sits on the floor. 

The concrete has low spots where water can collect so we have to be careful.  Apparently, the water mixer broke on the cement truck as it was delivering our cement, so one load was drier than it should have been and settled differently than the rest. Bummer. I thought this one build would turn out perfect. 

The shed doors are really nice. I am very pleased with the shed overall. I know this is Alex's casbah, but I can admire it. It still needs electricity and the water hookup. People doors are to be intalled this week. That's the last task for the builder. 

We started building the wooden fence along the perimeter where the land drops off into a steep decline. Some of the posts were misaligned so we stopped halfway, but it's looking nice and will at least stop someone from dropping into the abyss. 

The polytunnel is now all mine. The shed is his. I suppose we'll have to arrange visits. Sometime soon, we will have a party to christen it. 

Giner came back starving, 

 

Polytunnel almost finished

We've been working on completing the polytunnel slowly as it's been so sunny and hot in there lately that it's been impossible to work in it consistently. Alex straightened out the doors frames and poured cement for the bolt holes in the ground that will secure the doors closed in the winter and open in the summer. He fixed the problem of the grading by installing two steps, as we will only use the West entrance for walking not driving. He's also installed thresholds in both doors to keep the gravel in place on sloping ground. Finally, Alex installed a tool organizer bar. I had envisioned something different but it works. 

I spread out the gravel which looks very nice - three loads so far. We need one more load to complete the floor out the door and to top up in the greenhouse below. I really like it. 

The automatic watering system is working fine so we don't have to worry about not being here. The tomatoes, courgettes, broccoli, beans, spring onions, hot peppers, cucumber, kiwi and leeks are doing well. The spinach and arugula have come up but no mange tout. None of the seeds I planted anywhere came up. I think it was a defective batch. 

We had to move potted plants outside as they were cooking inside and still have to water them daily by hand, along with the rest of the garden. I think it hasn't rained in about two weeks and won't rain until this coming weekend. The composter I bought is doing a nice job. I'll have fresh compost in a few weeks. 

What's left to do is:

• Finish the gravel
• Build the third bed
• Build the strawberry bed
• Plant the new beds

We're ordering a grapevine with eating grapes for the tunnel. We'll plant it next to the outer wall so its roots can grow out beyond the tunnel and get the moisture and depth from outside. 

We'll hopefully have a polytunnel party in the autumn. It seems like a good place for dancing, although dancing on gravel isn't always elegant. Doors can be open for ventilation, and if we pick a sunny day, it will be cosy inside. 

I love our new 'room'. 

Spreading out the gravel

Looking good.

Living with the space where the new bed
will go has caused us to change our minds. 
It will now go in line with the other two. 

Tomatoes! 

Beans courgettes, hot peppers, etc

The steps

The threshold

The beast, the sink, and the organizer

I love the raised beds. It makes the weeding a pleasure. 

The living quarters shaping up

The working quarters still have a few things pending.

Stuff is growing well

Now I can take a break and relax.