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

**Mr Merde** · 11th January 2008, 12:49

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

...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"

Curse Confucious ...

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

**Lias** · 11th January 2008, 14:41

Originally Posted by Mr Merde

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

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** · 11th January 2008, 15:02

Originally Posted by Lias

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** · 11th January 2008, 16:14

Originally Posted by Lias

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

Originally Posted by Mr Merde

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.

**oldrider** · 11th January 2008, 17:02

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

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

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.

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.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

Don't forget to go for a ride while the concrete is setting.

Cheers John.

**gijoe1313** · 20th January 2008, 15:33

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

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

Also rewired the lights on the little ol'hornet and got it all tickety-boo again!

I feel a ride coming on now!

**Swoop** · 20th January 2008, 15:42

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!

**gijoe1313** · 20th January 2008, 20:55

Originally Posted by 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!

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!

**gijoe1313** · 23rd January 2008, 10:38

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!

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 ...

mmmm fresh sweet corn ....

**crashe** · 23rd January 2008, 10:43

Originally Posted by 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!

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 ...

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** · 23rd January 2008, 10:46

Originally Posted by crashe

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.

A lousy coupla thousand kms is all

**crashe** · 23rd January 2008, 10:49

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

A lousy coupla thousand kms is all

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

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

**gijoe1313** · 24th January 2008, 10:01

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!

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

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

**gijoe1313** · 26th January 2008, 14:39

Yeeeehaaaaa!

The covered patio area is finished!

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

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!

)

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!

)

:spudbooge