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Post by SueA on Jan 10, 2015 18:48:34 GMT
Don't be disheartened roofgardener although I quite fancy the idea of the 'Lair'!  Just keep imagining how good it will all look in the summer.  |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 10, 2015 21:16:22 GMT
***Update**** After considerable thought, I have decided to cease being a Roofgardener, in light of the difficulties that strong winds cause. Instead, I'm going to be a LairGardener. I am going to create a vast "Dr Evil" Gardening Lair several hundred feet underground, and completely immune from the weather. There will be rooms for each type of plant/flower, all under UV artificial light. And a small underground railway to allow me to travel between them. I shall hire a number of Henchmen to do most of the gardening, as well as to look menacing when I interogate prisoners have guests. There will, of course, be a large Control Centre, with a huge map of the world with little blinking lights on it, showing the location and opening hours of all branches of Wilkinsons and B+Q, and a huge leather chair with a giant control panel next to it. (to control the Automatic Watering System). As you might expect, there will be another large room full of black-clad people doing martial arts, abseiling from the roof, and generally Getting Ready To Take Over The World. Naturally, one wall will slide to one side to reveal a vast "swimming pool". Now, let me just check E-bay. Search: "Sharks-with-lasers-in-their-foreheads" Oh. None for sale. Blast. Was it TOO much to ask for ? You forgot the long haired white lap cat  and the eye patch  . . |
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Post by Cherry on Jan 10, 2015 21:24:29 GMT
Light planes are tied to blocks of concrete (not square) or weights. For travelling, we take large screws to attach to the ground. Obviously you can't use the screws, but what about weights or would the roof suffer.
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 10, 2015 22:33:05 GMT
I was thinking along similar lines, Cherry.
My sister has a pile of bricks... I took 20 or so as an interim measure, but with an offer to take some REALLY heavy (30Kg-ish) slabs at a later date.
I have some slightly elasticated (e.g. shock-absorbing) but very strong conveyor belt material (around 60mm wide) to act as a strap. It could go over the roof, and tie onto slabs on either side on the floor.
It's all irrelevant. I left it too late. During the day, whillst I was out, the winds returned. The ladder didn't hold.
I no longer possess a polytunnel. It's physically GONE. I don't know where. (It's dark). It's not in the rear yard, or the drive.
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Post by Cherry on Jan 10, 2015 22:59:54 GMT
Oh golly! This is getting bad. Your wind will often be a problem at that height of course. I had a wooden pallet blow onto the car in the barn without a door. It is scratched badly below the door.
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 11, 2015 16:22:40 GMT
OK... found the polytunnel. It had blown 50' away (and 20' downwards) into a nearby plot of land used by East Midlands Electricity. It was nestling up to some switchgear cabinets.
With some help from my neighbour, we managed to sneak in, dismantle it, and bring the bits back to the Roofgarden.
One pole was bent/squashed, along with most of the bolts, but that seems to be the only damage. Even the two clip-on lights survived !
I'm going to re-erect it, but in a slightly different area (if it will fit), and with very heavy rocks/slabs to hold the frame down !
This could actually be a good thing. The new area gets more sunlight, and better drainage; it doesn't form standing water/puddles.
Well, nothing will happen THIS weekend. I gradually need to move all of my standing and storage bins from the proposed area, and into the Annexe where the greenhouse USED to be. Then I can repair and re-erect the frame in its new position (WITHOUT the PVC cover), sort out my ballast system, and only THEN put the cover back on.
I'll even be able to get to the windows this way !
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Post by SueA on Jan 11, 2015 17:34:17 GMT
Glad you are able to see the positives roofgardener. I've had small plastic greenhouses in the past & ended up having to put bricks in the bottom of them fastened to the sides to stop them blowing away so it's always going to be a problem with a plastic cover whatever the size especially up on a roof. I wonder what the locals thought of a big green U.F.O. flying down the street!  |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 11, 2015 19:42:52 GMT
Roofy, if you want to go hang gliding, I suggest you use a hang glider and NOT a polytunnel, ;-|they are not really aerodynamically shaped, after all.  Also, may I congratulate you on your attitude to the incident.  I am sure that everyone on here will agree that you are NOW a fully fledged gardener, well done you.  |
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 18, 2015 17:28:57 GMT
Daitheplant, if you want to be sarcastic, I'd suggest you use sarcasm !!! Oh... .wait.. no.. you DID -------------------------------------------- OK.... Polytunnel News.... I've had a busy Sunday. A couple of "Before" shots showing the general carnage. Firstly, the annexe area where the greenhouse WAS. This is the day AFTER it made its bid for fame on the Big Screen. (the Big Screen in question being Approach Radar at East Midlands Air Traffic Control.)  The main Roofgarden, featuring the bits salvaged prior to the above photograph.  And now... the Annexe area today. (circa 16:00, Sunday)  And finally, the main Roofgarden area "afterwards" ...  A significant improvement, I think you'll agree The new location for the PT will be between the Outdoor Toilets, and the Pointless Chimney. If you look at the 'before' picture, you can even see how dry the area is (no pooling water), which solves one problem with the previous location straight away. Plus, it gets more sunlight. I just piled stuff into the annexe area to make space to rebuild the PT ... without any particular plan. but I think I might leave it like that. It combines storage with a 'planting out/hardening' area, and will give me a nice view when I'm sitting in the PT with my Pipe and glass of Single Malt. I may even put up a bird/squirrel feeder thingy in the back-left corner. (where the canes are currently stored). During this week I will be taking some of the damaged poles into work to see if they can re-weld them. I'll also be seeking replacement bolts. NEXT WEEKEND.... The Erecting of the Polytunnel in the New Location. I shall be inviting the Morman Tabernacle Choir to perform a rendition of some suitable songs to celebrate the occasion. *****COMPETITION TIME******* I will be offering a small prize for the best "song suggestion" for the MTC to sing. The prize will be a small "Veggie Box" from Roofgardeners 2015 harvest. (probably involving Courgesttes, spudlinks, runner beans, and perhaps some Erbs.. or tomatoes if they ripen fast enough). It won't be huge (probably shoebox size).. just a bit of a giggle. It will be sent by courier (APC/Parcelrite) to the location of your choice. (your own premises or - if you prefer to maintain anonymity (which is probably wise) - a parcel collection point in your area). Alternatively, you can choose to donate it to charity, in which case it will go to St. Marks church in Arnold for their Harvest Festival. (the Vicar is a friend of mine). To give you an idea; here are my three nominations. "Will your anchors hold in the storm of life (trad. Hymn)" "Up, Up, and Away (in my beautiful balloon)" - (1967, the 5th Dimension). Or... if it goes TRULY horrendously wrong..... I mean, if we get REALLY strong winds after its re-erected..... "Calling occupants of Interplantery Craft" (1977, the Carpenters). Don't post your suggestions here... I'll create a new thread for it somewhere and link back here.) **edit*** OK... competition thread is in the general area here |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 18, 2015 19:34:58 GMT
Roofy, your first pic looks like the inside of my tunnel on a good day. |
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Post by Cherry on Jan 18, 2015 22:22:56 GMT
Well done and keep the humour going. |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 19, 2015 20:19:34 GMT
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Post by Geranium on Jan 26, 2015 5:49:06 GMT
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Post by Cherry on Jan 26, 2015 6:25:34 GMT
Thank you Geranium. You just keep me right. |
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 26, 2015 19:05:46 GMT
*****GARDENING NEWS*******
There is no news. The entire weekend was taken up with Birthday celebrations.
Actually... thats not entirely true. On Sunday - it being a day for Worship - I went to worship at B+Q and acquired a new set of bolts, greenhouse re-assembly for the purposes thereof. I also treated myself to a set of wing-nuts, which will make the job easier.
Oh... and I found a REALLY cheap water diverter valve thingy to allow me to divert water from the Risible Downpipe into my water butt. I havn't bought it yet, as I need to check the fitting sizes on the RD. But it looks like it will do the job.
My next door neighbour gifted me a small, round piece of wood with castors on it. This pleased me immensly, as it means my water butt is now on wheels. (Long term plan is to have two or more water butts - all on wheels - and rotate them into the drainpipe diverter position as they fill up)
****BIRTHDAY PRESENT NEWS******
One of my presents was a change-counting jar. I spent a happy hour "Kerchunking" all of my pennies, tuppences and 5p pieces into it.
I may now reveal to the Garden Friends that Roofgardener is in possession of precisely £5.57 in small change !!!
I shall update the competition thread shortly.
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Just keep imagining how good it will all look in the summer. 
and the eye patch 
. 
Also, may I congratulate you on your attitude to the incident. 
I am sure that everyone on here will agree that you are NOW a fully fledged gardener, well done you. 
