Ferdinand

I think I would look at this under 3 aspects: 1 - Simplify. The current view has lots of mini-textures, but they are all basically the same shade. 2 - Give it a face. Needs to be something significant enough to change the way the eye is drawn into the view. 3 - Root it. Currently there is nothing visually attaching the bulding to the site. That budget will be an issue. As I see it doing anything to the roof could be 12-18k, so I might leave that alone. Be grateful that some people have bigger problems ? Ferdinand

I'm slightly stumped. Damo's idea looks to have potential, but even that looks expensive. Perhaps I'm just not feeling creative enough this morning. The underlying thing jumping out at me is the proportions, but I can't think of an overall form that I like that is practical. It's too horizontal, unified, and one colour. Even the paving is the same colour. The two that come to mind are long, low bungalow and ranchhouse. Perhaps there is value in breaking up the outline, which could also be done using planting as an element, or a climber such as a virginia creeper, or vertical elements or a substantial pergola or something projected forward for part of the length. My limited thoughts. (Update. Another long, low form which is found attractive I am reminded of is Orangery or Garden Pavilion - is there potential by also thinking about the immediate setting. Thought experiment: how would that appear if the block paving was a law or a parterre?)

There are two things here that should help. The first is to document the agreement in both sets of deeds, and mark the boundary with "boundary features" (which are used by surveyors in determinating the boundary on the ground).In this case I would put in concreted in metal posts, which will last half a century, and get the church person to say yes to the placement. Probably using "estate fencing" (which is the metal stuff they put alongside roads in country estates) or concrete post and mesh fencing (which is the stuff you find inside hedges that was installed in the 1950s) would be appropriate. Or fencing repair spurs and wooden posts. The important thing is to create a long term footprint on the ground to provide direction beyond the General Boundary Rule that will still be there in 2075. All these types of fencing are relatively cheap if bought carefully. The other is to invoke the 'Measured Boundary Rule' procedure, where the Registry accept a mutually agreed boundary documented with absolute locations (ie GPS) by a mutually appointed (probably RICS) surveyor. Since you like the outcome, I suggest that you take both party's costs on the chin, which will let you sell it as generously providing a once-and-for-all clear solution. And hopefully build an excellent cooperative relationship. If it is a CofE church, they are likely to have a local architect on retainer for Quinquiennial Reports, who may be a useful contact to know about, though Churchwardens are usually extraordinarily sensible if you don't brush their fur the wrong way (they have to manage Vicars... ). Ferdinand

Welcome. A sketch plan would also help.

Sanity check. Judging by your overall dimensions the sitting area on that sofa (ie between the arms) is only 1.7m = 5'8". Is that a 3 person sitting width that you are comfortable with? If not you may be misleading yourself as to how much furniture will go in and how spacious it feels. I have some more comments later. F

All it needs is a 6ft cuckoo, a timing mechanism and a spring. ?

He moved on some time ago - I don't know any ins and outs - and deleted his posts first I think. Regrettable as you say.

Covid Face Coverings I have just bought a pack of 6 of these Neck Tubes (Snoods) for £11.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GFQEBC0 Light so OK for summer and fit me, and delivered next day. £2 each which is not that much different from a disposable mask. Patterned. Perhaps the only issue is that they seem to be designed for the sporty community, so one of them looks like a skull's jawbone. There is also tartan and various patterns etc. Also useful for robbing banks. Ferdinand

Does anyone have any experience of these? I am looking for something to go on the lower shelves of my ikea iVAR green wall. Potentially those shelves may move closer together. Ferdinand

Well - there'll be no canoeists down that burn, unless it is in spate.

I meant longer not wider. What is the offset from the top of the island to the top of the entranceway? Do you always eat together? How often are 4 or more seats used at a meal?

the bamboo mum put in in 2014 ish is starting to block the neighbours. The one in the middle. Eventually those trees will get heavily pruned.

Eg

? This is the Green Wall 2nd generation taken a few days ago. These were planted at the end of May, and each type is about 1/3 - 1/2 of a packet of seeds. I gave away about a quarter of each packet to a friend in lockdown who is quite stressed. (I did the shelves with coats of varnish, and used the ones with plastic not metal mounts) The middle one above is the first mixed salad leaves I put in in March, which has now had its 4th cut and been composted. About 10 different types of thing. The next step is to find some bulk seeds and plant more tightly. The seeds for the above cost about £8, so not quite the cheapest thing. These are Fothergills seeds, and all seem to be sprouting Ok. I have some transparent covers on order, and am wondering about lights and drip watering using the Jeremy system I have in the front garden, which works well. But I have no tap there, so will need to think a bit. At the moment it is 10 sprays per tray twice a day and water 1-2l via the tray every 2-3 days, and to spin the trays at the same time before adding the water. This is the putative veg crop when planted late May, but I think I am running a bit late. Will have to get some prepotted tomatoes and courgettes. The tea strainer is for less forceful watering. this is just now. The one sprouted is courgette. This is the overall. Had a neighbour round for lunch yesterday, and we had home made bread, charcuterie and a Mizuma and Rocket portion of microveg, which was great. And some Shiraz which was my second Laithwaites delivery of the lockdown. But the Wistery-Clematis is a bit rampant and needs a haircut. F

Interesting orignal Minivan? Or is it a Traveller?

Mine grows rather more than I might otherwise like, and I have spent some ttime (bah - keyboard is bouncing) this spring trying to recover parts of the garden I inherited from mum. I think my top tips would be to plan your shed somewhere it will be well-hidden, half an hour every day (I fail miserably) in the cool time, and make sure that you have at least some budh or hedge you allow tto grow a bitt ttaller for roosting small birds - which means 2.5m nott 1.8m. Ferdinand

Hmmm. Very compact, and I like the mid-century feel. Especially the Guy Rogers style sofa if that is the plan. Admit that I would struggle to keep such a compact layout tidy. I think a pouffe is tricky in that you are really balancing on top of it, but kids may be happy. I would not expect walking across the triangle to be a huge problem - there is a no-worse alternative route, and if it is occupied they should go round it. And you can move the sofa. In this layout I would think about putting the table at one side rather than in the middle, and perhaps a vestigial breakfast bar. Would built-in furniture on one side be an option? Lots of good ideas if you look at eg a programme such as Your House Made Perfect. I think if you are at that stage making the island a lengthways peninsula might be worth it with a breakfast bar on the corridor side, and perhaps moving the entrance up (in the pic) by 150mm or so. This video features a very space efficient house by Peter Aldington from the 1960s which could provide inspiration; one of my favourites. I posted it some time ago. It is open for visitors. Ferdinand

Sorry to hear the news.

Looks cool.

Very much dependent on your LPA, I'm afraid. I think you can find out who will be handling your planning app by phoning up and asking - they should be divvied up on an area basis (eg ward) or perhaps type of application. I am having to go back into planning on our gym because they put a time limit on our change of use that caused serious problems, and I want to do a variation on the condition and avoid having to do a full sequential test again, as the last one cost several £k. The best you can do is probably to use the skill and judgement you have built up asking all these questions, and look at previous appps, what has already been done and be ready that they may ask for some extras. Once its in keep talking to your planner and your team. And remember you can always withdraw it or have a second go. Ferdinand

These ducts for 50mm pipes are between 25mm and 100mm in diameter. (Said the person with the engineering degree.)

Welcome.

It might cover possessions in storage. Or your project insurance might.

Can you get it covered by your buildings insurance once you have bought it?

Perhaps offer £50-100 for storage and a no-damage guarantee (or pay with a CC) on the price and do a photo record at the time of inspection?