There is never an idle moment during our Winter closure and this project most certainly made sure of that !
Our new ‘Fire Pit’ spent several years on the ‘to do list’ and we knew it was an area that needed to be renovated, as it was a space very much on view to our customers.
It was created opposite the terrace on the remains of an ancient ‘dependance’ – an outdoor utility building from many years ago (probably a ‘piggery’).
Wheelbarrow-loads of old broken surface material mixed with rubble & dirt had to be disposed of (heavy work to be sure). However, the valuable ‘Lotoise’ stone that was part of the walls and old floor were buried amongst this waste; all of this was recuperated and washed, ready to be used to remake the parts of the outer walls.
During this project, we certainly have broadened our building skills by learning how to prepare and lay a ‘paver’ floor and create stone wall masonry !
With the addition of some ground level spotlights that were connected to a buried supply cable, 3 new steel gabions filled with rocks, creating 2 wooden bench top seats and purchasing one very sturdy metal fire bowl, we were finished !
The stone planters will be filled with flowers for the summer, but we do not consider there will be any fire’s lit for the coming few months as the temperatures will inevitably rise and make sitting even within the pit unbearable !!
Trust us though; the atmosphere from the crackling wood during the colder evenings of early Spring and Autumn is wonderful.
Now we can look forward to the cooler nights !
