The laying of patio thread or: How to work hard in your holidays!

[gijoe1313]

Well, the olds are getting me to do a spot of house improvements (which means less improvement in my finances! :pinch:)

Laying down a covered patio area at the back of the house and secretly I am converting it already to a bike pit! :whistle: :devil2:

Will be putting in a paved area and doing the Amish barn-raising thing and having that solar suntuff stuff on a wooden frame yada yada.

Figgers, when I'm not working, I'm working! I've collared the cousins in for manual labour (their dad approves since they are soft as, and need to know what digging a ditch and smashing your thumb with a hammer feels like :girlfight:)

Will update when I can be arsed and all the other humorous happenstances as they occur! :sweatdrop

And oh yeah, I learnt from the first time I laid a patio down and this time doing it right ... went to Hireafool and rented a POWER DIGGER! (Yes!! :2thumbsup) ... waiting for it to be delivered now!

Piccies to follow.

[insane1]

do i get to smash concrete this time.

[oldrider]

Good luck with the power digger, it could take you longer and cost more.

Get a video of it.

You can make money on AFV....Americas funniest home videos! :niceone: Good luck. Cheers John.

[gijoe1313]

I got it dropped off to start work tomorrow on it, I thought I'd fool around on it but bugger me if I haven't done half the bloody job already! :lol:

I've worked with diggers before and I don't know why I didn't do it the first time around! :doh:

I think I better not do too much since I did promise the cousins they could learn how to use one! :rofl:

[Mike748]

I think I better not do too much since I did promise the cousins they could learn how to use one! :rofl:

I hope you have more room for them to learn on than in ya pic, otherwise you might end up with more indoor outdoor flow to the house than you intended :eek5:......:Oops:

Good luck :sweatdrop

[Ixion]

Ah. That's why when I dropped by an ringa-ding-dinged. just to show Daisy her big sister, you didn't show. Never mind, the neighbours will have blamed you for the noise.

[gijoe1313]

Ah. That's why when I dropped by an ringa-ding-dinged. just to show Daisy her big sister, you didn't show. Never mind, the neighbours will have blamed you for the noise.

Awfully sorry old chap, yes Daisy was sitting outside forlorn for lack of not being ridden this fine day...

Alas, I could not stop playing with the digger and I have precious little for my cousins to actually do with the digger tomorrow! :whistle: :innocent:

'Tis bliss to work with powered automated devices that have excess horsepower to spare! Poor little spade and wheelbarrow, didn't get so much as a howdy-doo! :yes: A nice big hole in the back yard is what every household needs! :o

$218 from Hireafool (part of $400 deposit)

Tomorrow shall be a ute hired and a vibrating (ooer!) compacting contraption with several trips of Gap10 to bed in! :eek:

And somehow I shall fool around with the digger for a bit longer before they pick it up mid-day :laugh:

[Donor]

I hope you have more room for them to learn on than in ya pic, otherwise you might end up with more indoor outdoor flow to the house than you intended :eek5:......:Oops:

Good luck :sweatdrop

That's all part of his Feng Shui plan...

[kevfromcoro]

Fuck ...what are you doing on that
Get back on ya bike...and leave it alone

[gijoe1313]

Fuck ...what are you doing on that
Get back on ya bike...and leave it alone

I'm trying to get knee down on it now, taking the corners at 15 degree lean! :dodge:

[The Pastor]

yeah kinda looks a bit messy :D today was a good riding day, but im no longer riding :(

[gijoe1313]

Well the cuzzies came over and veni, vidi, vici!

Went to TotalidiotHire and picked up a ute ($60 for 6 hours with a $120 deposit needed) and then to Hireafool for a vibrating (ooer! :o) plate compactor.

Got the lads and gave them the learn on the controls of the digger and away they went! I picked up 2.5 M3 of Gap10 from SpaceCadetMakers (Placemakers) and 14 blackstone pavers. I had a grand time pootling back and forth in the ute and doing the one arm out the window reverse backing.

The lads funneled the material off and I blasted them with good advice while standing in the shade :devil2:

Once the last load of gap went in, the vibrator (ooer!) did its tricks and patted it down toot sweet. I gave the lads a feed of fush n'chups from the olds takeaways and we all happy! Easiest job I've ever had to do so far! :scratch:

Bunged all the gear back to the places with a quick shake and broom and rewarded myself with shopping at Supercheap at the 25% sales. Bliss! :woohoo:

[gijoe1313]

So solly, meesa so solly I not tweak big gaijin noses in rong time! Ruck you!

Ninja show wife-wrong wreaning by mastering knee down technique!

See ninja on wide? No? Ruck you!

Flirst, sneak verry verry ninja quietly on new wide ... with ninja weflex I am on!

But always wemember ATGATT .. All The Gwear All The Tlime! Ruck you!

See ninja get knee down! Then use speciwal ninja technique and do 180 degree turn! Ahhh ... no can see? Ruck you then!

[oldrider]

So solly, meesa so solly I not tweak big gaijin noses in rong time! Ruck you!

Ninja show wife-wrong wreaning by mastering knee down technique!

See ninja on wide? No? Ruck you!

Flirst, sneak verry verry ninja quietly on new wide ... with ninja weflex I am on!

But always wemember ATGATT .. All The Gwear All The Tlime! Ruck you!

See ninja get knee down! Then use speciwal ninja technique and do 180 degree turn! Ahhh ... no can see? Ruck you then!

You are a credit to this country Ninja turtle, ruck yoo tu! :niceone: Cheers John.

[Swoop]

Truly appalling!

A PROPER patio layer would have ended up showing a bare minimum of around six inches of buttcrack!:shake:
The Union of Patio Layers Of No Knowledge Encouraging Rider Speed (PLONKERS) would be walking out of this site and forming a picket line!:woohoo:

[skidMark]

That's all part of his Feng Shui plan...


don't put that there

why not

because you blocking the positive chi from the north!

wot

feng shui mate feng shui.....unbelievable.

[The Pastor]

justin, only you mate. only you.

[gijoe1313]

Truly appalling!

A PROPER patio layer would have ended up showing a bare minimum of around six inches of buttcrack!:shake:
The Union of Patio Layers Of No Knowledge Encouraging Rider Speed (PLONKERS) would be walking out of this site and forming a picket line!:woohoo:

Well I was showing my cousins the proper butt crack methodology, but it didn't take, my demonstration only served to make them :sick: :lol:

The younger one did have a point when he said "so how come you don't get hot chicks with butt crack showing then?" :o :msn-wink:


justin, only you mate. only you.

This coming from the man who rides a big bike, down to a small one, gets a detector after you've collected enough Helen Clarks to fund a small war and then finds out they may be made illegal! :rofl: All good mate, all good ...

[The Pastor]

then orders a hard system only to sell the bike!

[gijoe1313]

then orders a hard system only to sell the bike!

:gob: You're joking me! :gob: You sure you ain't asian? :msn-wink: And shouldn't you be posting that you got the HARD system in my Happy shopping biker bling thread? :whistle:

[skidMark]

:gob: You're joking me! :gob: You sure you ain't asian? :msn-wink:


renegades not asian but has many traits of an asian he can't ride for shit for example. :dodge:

[Hitcher]

Next thing is Paddy O'Furniture...

[The Pastor]

renegades not asian but has many traits of an engine.

he can't ride for shit for example. :dodge:
How was it i was giving you the learn so bad before then?

[oldrider]

So where are the piccies of the completed works then, after all you started the job "last year"! :confused: John.

[Fub@r]

Hey Joe when you finish there you can come to my place.........I have 600+ cobblestones to lay :)

That time of year for landscaping, sick of bark and punga logs now but it does look good now. Put a new folding washing line up for the missus and mentioned some ideas for this area around it.........thinking future plans.

Silly me my idea of future and missus idea of future are two completely different time frames :( Hence I will be fencing and cobbling over the last two weeks of my holidays. Will be looking forward to going back to work for a rest :)

[gijoe1313]

So where are the piccies of the completed works then, after all you started the job "last year"! :confused: John.

Funny you should mention that ... seems I have to lay the patio tomorrow and not allowed to ride the coro! :crybaby:


Hey Joe when you finish there you can come to my place.........I have 600+ cobblestones to lay :)

That time of year for landscaping, sick of bark and punga logs now but it does look good now. Put a new folding washing line up for the missus and mentioned some ideas for this area around it.........thinking future plans.

Silly me my idea of future and missus idea of future are two completely different time frames :( Hence I will be fencing and cobbling over the last two weeks of my holidays. Will be looking forward to going back to work for a rest :)

Oh yes ... I know exactly how you feel, I was working on making a planter box for dear old mum with dear old dad. Was nice to work outside, but the problem was ... we were working! :doh:

Well mum is happy, she can grow her spring onions, parsley, bok choi and other kitchen veges without having to stoop to conquer! :rolleyes:

I just have to fill it with the dirt I scooped out with the digger (but without the digger's help this time! :pinch:)

And it seems mum is so tickled pink she wants planter boxes for the two new fruit trees which will go next to the trellis ... :gob:

I dunno, you do a good job and bingo bongo bango ... you get more heaped on your plate! :doh:

[gijoe1313]

Well, phew ... Dad and I sweated out some of our last years chrissy meals and got the box finished.

I lined it with black plastic and then we proceeded to swear like sailors and sweat like pigs as we laboured to fill the frikk'n thing in! :sweatdrop: :pinch:
Mum will be growing rhubarb, spring onions, parsley and other chinese veges!

I was thinking of Fub@r doing the Coro and boy did I curse his name a lot! :o

Also went window shopping for a new barbie and also bought some new tool bling (corner clamps :love:)

Anyway as anyone who has slung a spade knows, its a good way to build up the appetite and feel like you've done a good days work (anything to delude ourselves :rolleyes:)

Right, only a patio and suntuff roof to do now! :doh:

[Fub@r]

I was thinking of Fub@r doing the Coro and boy did I curse his name a lot! :o


You missed out on an awesome ride GIJoe, its not the same when your not there, no commando raids on local rubbish bins etc :)

[Gubb]

We did have a bin in your honour though.

[Swoop]

Also went window shopping for a new barbie...
Did the last one bugger off with Ken?:whistle:

[Ixion]

And, somewhere a little two smoker waits. Lonely, forlorn, abandoned, a furtive tear trickling down her zorst header. Is she just a plaything to you? Do you not respect her in the morning?

[gijoe1313]

You missed out on an awesome ride GIJoe, its not the same when your not there, no commando raids on local rubbish bins etc :)

Stoppit :weep: I'm missing me when I'm not riding out with me! :scratch:


We did have a bin in your honour though.

*chortle* I hope that is meant in the way I think it is? :sweatdrop: Always to be keeping the rubbery side facing down towards the tarmacky thang!


Did the last one bugger off with Ken?:whistle:

I'm racist, she can bugger off with Ken as long as my kawaii asian combat babe is left with me! Chun Li (streetfighter) FTW! :o


And, somewhere a little two smoker waits. Lonely, forlorn, abandoned, a furtive tear trickling down her zorst header. Is she just a plaything to you? Do you not respect her in the morning?

Shhh, I've been trying to give her head .... got the shimmy shimmy shakes and she needs good loving on the cold, hard patio floor when its done! Ooer! :o :love:

[gijoe1313]

Well, Dad rousted me outside to do some more work on the patio (doh! I was going to go for a ride! :weep:)

Laid down some grey pavers (450 x 450 Blackstone Pavers $8.29 ea. from Placehaters) ... always takes longer to prepare and scree and get the fall just right then laying the damn things! :sweatdrop:

Once I get the last few laid in along the right, will concrete in the side strip and do the rest ... joy... :rolleyes:

Laid in the order for the 4m suntuff solarguard panels and getting the brackets sorted for the posts to be sunk into etc. etc. ....

[Fub@r]

Once I get the last few laid in along the right, will concrete in the side strip and do the rest ... joy... :rolleyes:


Anyone would think your on another tootle...........taking your time about it :) Too much fun playing on the digger me thinks

[gijoe1313]

Anyone would think your on another tootle...........taking your time about it :) Too much fun playing on the digger me thinks

Well it was bugging me ... so I laid in the last few and put in a few of the mudda ferk'n heavy red ones (600 x 600 red pebble) ... got the framing sorted so pouring concrete tomorrow (but sad, not using a concrete mixer ... doing it the old fashioned wheelbarrow shovel method :pinch:)

Aiming to have at least half of the area done in the red pavers tomorrow ... :sweatdrop: Unless I have an excuse for a ride ... :scooter:

[Fub@r]

The area I have been digging out around the new washing line i was going to buy new cobble stones. But then had a wonderful idea........use all the Huntly bricks from around the gardens :doh:

Wish I hadn't said anything to wife now as it intailed pulling up all the bricks from the garden edging, then scraping all the soil off them, then wash and stack them all.

Have finished the digging of the area to be cobbled and have completed all the boxing.

So this saturday will be a full day putting down the basecourse and sand then laying 400 bricks to the wife's satisfaction :pinch:

[homer]

Well, the olds are getting me to do a spot of house improvements (which means less improvement in my finances! :pinch:)

Laying down a covered patio area at the back of the house and secretly I am converting it already to a bike pit! :whistle: :devil2:

Will be putting in a paved area and doing the Amish barn-raising thing and having that solar suntuff stuff on a wooden frame yada yada.

Figgers, when I'm not working, I'm working! I've collared the cousins in for manual labour (their dad approves since they are soft as, and need to know what digging a ditch and smashing your thumb with a hammer feels like :girlfight:)

Will update when I can be arsed and all the other humorous happenstances as they occur! :sweatdrop

And oh yeah, I learnt from the first time I laid a patio down and this time doing it right ... went to Hireafool and rented a POWER DIGGER! (Yes!! :2thumbsup) ... waiting for it to be delivered now!

Piccies to follow.

Oh how some times the easiest way is by hand
:yes:
Itll take the same amount of time

[gijoe1313]

Oh how some times the easiest way is by hand
:yes:
Itll take the same amount of time

Nuh uh! Power Digger FTW! :woohoo: Big Boy's toys rock ... and getting knee down on it is a must! I've been spading back the spill over a sifting frame (read : Dad's own wire sprung bed) and I surely do miss the power digger! :lol:

And the vibrating compactor was easy to use ... esp. when you have your cousins manhandling it! :msn-wink:

But now, its all hard graft and doing the chinese coolie squat and rice paddy picking ... (scree, balance, place and adjust ... :pinch:)

[gijoe1313]

The area I have been digging out around the new washing line i was going to buy new cobble stones. But then had a wonderful idea........use all the Huntly bricks from around the gardens :doh:

Wish I hadn't said anything to wife now as it intailed pulling up all the bricks from the garden edging, then scraping all the soil off them, then wash and stack them all.

Have finished the digging of the area to be cobbled and have completed all the boxing.

So this saturday will be a full day putting down the basecourse and sand then laying 400 bricks to the wife's satisfaction :pinch:

So sounds like we are both screwed ... but at least I don't have to piddle around with 400 bricks! :oi-grr: No, I have to manhandle around 30kg pavers! :doh:

Don't forget to post some pictures so we can compare! :lol: ...

[gijoe1313]

Okay, sitting here with fan on in comfort of chez computer room and cold drink in hand ... bliss ...

Was working on doing the 600 x 600 red pebble pavers today ... and they are frikk'n pain in the bollocks to move around (around 30kg) I don't mind carting them as such, its the fine adjustments to get them sitting just right and with the right amount of fall.

It doesn't help when they are of variable thicknesses and can vary from paver to paver :doh:

Ahh well, thats what you get when you only pay $600 on retardme for 90 of the buggers or summit like that! :lol: Already done one side, this is just the "leftovers" for this job!

Tomorrow, I'll finish off the red ones and the grey border and a concrete strip down the left side... it'll all be worth it when I have my primo biker repair facility done! :devil2:

Ordered the suntuff solarguard panels today. Will be planning the covered space for next weeks install! :yes:

My oath, I should be riding ... :weep: :scooter:

[yungatart]

I was supposed to do a bit of gardening today, but reading this thread has made me too tired. I think I'll take your advice, gijoe and go and get a beer.....

[gijoe1313]

I was supposed to do a bit of gardening today, but reading this thread has made me too tired. I think I'll take your advice, gijoe and go and get a beer.....

That was a good idea, I'm now currently sitting in front of a fan next to the computer with an ice cold ginger beer (Bundaberg of course! :msn-wink:)

and genuflecting on the almost completed job done. The grey pavers on the left will be fine, since posts will be sunk in for the suntuff roofing later next week (3 posts on each side, so some pavers will be lifted for that)

I can almost taste the greasy sticky lubricants in the air for my spannering on motorsickle contraptions! :yes:

A bit more concreting, a bit more electrical power wiring work, a bit more roofing and the job will be done! :sweatdrop

[yungatart]

meanwhile, my garden still waits...
Do you fancy a trip down here, oh venerable one?

[Ixion]

Most dutiful son.

[gijoe1313]

meanwhile, my garden still waits...
Do you fancy a trip down here, oh venerable one?

Thats not as funny as it seems ... when I went to Japan a long time ago, my mates mother-in-law got me to help out in the rice paddies! :scratch: apparently I did so much work in the 3 days I did there that was what took a whole group a week to do! :doh: Turns out they're still waiting for me to come back and help out again (I was chopping bamboo and making channels and putting up greenhouses)


Most dutiful son.

Its an asian thang ... while I'm sweltering in the heat, mum is in the garden saying things like "when will you get married and give me grandchildren" :eek5:

Curse Confucious ...

[Mr Merde]

...Its an asian thang ... while I'm sweltering in the heat, mum is in the garden saying things like "when will you get married and give me grandchildren" :eek5:

Curse Confucious ...


Have you told her that marriage isnt a requirement for this ? :devil2:

[Lias]

Have you told her that marriage isnt a requirement for this ? :devil2:

I suspect honourable asian gentleman prefer to keep his head attached to his neck. Reliable sources tell me asian mothers are about as anally retentive in this area as jewish mothers, and probably several other groups of mothers!

[Mr Merde]

I suspect honourable asian gentleman prefer to keep his head attached to his neck. Reliable sources tell me asian mothers are about as anally retentive in this area as jewish mothers, and probably several other groups of mothers!

I suspect you may be right in this.

GIJoe would do well to mind his mum.

So

GIJoe1313 Go forth and multiply. Make your mother happy. Even happier when she brings your new missus over for you.

Freedom of choice.

Not where mothers are concerned.

[gijoe1313]

I suspect honourable asian gentleman prefer to keep his head attached to his neck. Reliable sources tell me asian mothers are about as anally retentive in this area as jewish mothers, and probably several other groups of mothers!

As eldest scion of family name, I am not doing right thing since it is my filial duty to do such thing, I have devolved responsibility to my youngest sibling and this has managed to distract my mother for several years. My period of grace is now over and it seems she has put in extra cunning plans for my imminent betrothal :eek5:


I suspect you may be right in this.

GIJoe would do well to mind his mum.

So

GIJoe1313 Go forth and multiply. Make your mother happy. Even happier when she brings your new missus over for you.

Freedom of choice.

Not where mothers are concerned.

Aye, I can feel my doom coming upon me. A dark shadow looms on the horizon, and the freedom of man is soon to be written in underlined script. I speak of arms and the man and its waning glory as it will be devolved under a greater power.

:weep:

[oldrider]

As eldest scion of family name, I am not doing right thing since it is my filial duty to do such thing, I have devolved responsibility to my youngest sibling and this has managed to distract my mother for several years. My period of grace is now over and it seems she has put in extra cunning plans for my imminent betrothal :eek5:



Aye, I can feel my doom coming upon me. A dark shadow looms on the horizon, and the freedom of man is soon to be written in underlined script. I speak of arms and the man and its waning glory as it will be devolved under a greater power.

:weep:

Whether the glass is half full or half empty is all in the mind of the beholder grasshopper.

What does it matter if your parents fit you up with a partner?

They might just be able to do a better job of that than you can!

You can then concentrate on laying good bricks! (horses for courses and all that)

Just make sure that the new partner knows how to mix good concrete and mortar!

Treat her right and all the fancy stuff just comes kinda naturally to them. :niceone:

Good luck and keep up the good work. :confused:

Don't forget to go for a ride while the concrete is setting. :shifty: Cheers John.

[gijoe1313]

Well, it seems people have been wondering about the status of the ol'slab of rock out back :doh:

I'm trying to enjoy my holidays while I can and riding! Anyhoo, here be an update. This morning I managed to somehow get my younger brother to come and help, he mixed the concrete while Dad and I dug the holes and set up the mounting brackets for the posts.

Took some slabs out as per plan and did the ol'pour and get in ya bastard technique. Didn't take too long and managed to enjoy the arvo watching women's beach volleyball on the boob tube :msn-wink:

Also rewired the lights on the little ol'hornet and got it all tickety-boo again! :woohoo: I feel a ride coming on now!

[Swoop]

You can just mix the concrete dry and fill in the hole with that (packing it down firmly, of course!). It will set by itself over time and you can keep working on the project.

Just thought you'd like to know!:laugh:

[gijoe1313]

You can just mix the concrete dry and fill in the hole with that (packing it down firmly, of course!). It will set by itself over time and you can keep working on the project.

Just thought you'd like to know!:laugh:

you know I can't do it that way, otherwise I'd have to keep working on it! Best to do it so that way I still can get out and enjoy the day by riding some of it! :innocent:

[gijoe1313]

Right, the home improvement project is cracking on a pace now, just thrown up the basic framework and be moving onto the rafters and getting the suntuff solarguard panels screwed down soonish...

Thank god, I may actually have some holiday time to myself soon! :lol:

And on a different side note, the garden is coming along a treat, mum has been harvesting runner beans and the corn is coming along a treat ... :drool: mmmm fresh sweet corn ....

[crashe]

Right, the home improvement project is cracking on a pace now, just thrown up the basic framework and be moving onto the rafters and getting the suntuff solarguard panels screwed down soonish...

Thank god, I may actually have some holiday time to myself soon! :lol:

And on a different side note, the garden is coming along a treat, mum has been harvesting runner beans and the corn is coming along a treat ... :drool: mmmm fresh sweet corn ....

ummmm the holidays are almost over...... better hurry up and finish the job...

So how many kms have you travelled so far this holidays????
I bet no where near as last year's christmas holiday.

[gijoe1313]

ummmm the holidays are almost over...... better hurry up and finish the job...

So how many kms have you travelled so far this holidays????
I bet no where near as last year's christmas holiday.

:weep: A lousy coupla thousand kms is all :weep:

[crashe]

:weep: A lousy coupla thousand kms is all :weep:

Awwwwww mate I feel for you, I really do...... :grouphug:

And I feel for your bikes, not getting out there and feeling the breeze run over them....

[gijoe1313]

Well, dad and I got the rafters up, went to get the suntuff panels done ... and it turns out the company shipped us the wrong 'uns! :doh:

Back they went and we await the correct ones to be given us (smokey grey instead of clear!) ... :Oi:

Anyhow, we have planned the installation of benches, lights, the beer fridge and a couch seat purloined from a van! :devil2:

[gijoe1313]

Yeeeehaaaaa! :woohoo:

The covered patio area is finished! :first: Okay, just a few rough spots to be completed, but the majority of the work has been completed.

Shoved up the ol'suntuff panels and with the help of a japanese friend called Ryobi, they were secured quick and fast.

A durn wasps nest was discovered on the roof of the sheds, so a quick burst of Mortein did for them :bye:

Finally, I may be able to put my feet up for a little bit ... until I have to finish off the bits, wire in new power points and a junction box and decide where to hang my KB calendar (right next to the girly and bike pics of course! :o :innocent:)

Oh soon, the spannering nights can be resumed with much gusto in a dedicate man space (oh alright, most of the KB spannering will still be done in the carport area sheesh! :pinch:)
:sunny::spudbooge:yeah::wari:

[xwhatsit]

WINNAR

Looking good. Not that we need the sun-proof roof, when has meaningful work ever taken place at a workshop night before the hour of midnight?