The Friday Photo: don’t come running to me if you chop yer legs off…

 

So phase… er… three?  (I’ve lost count) of English Towers’ race for self sufficiency began last week after lovely C (the one with the boat) and Hubby came to some drunken, pub-induced agreement that we could have the greenhouse that he’d purchased for his wife, the lovely K, but that she didn’t really want.  Hmm.  Have you ever seen a greenhouse in bits?  It looks like some enormous and very dangerous meccano kit.

Still, not to be put off by the prospect of losing a limb, Hubby set to work putting the bloody thing together.  The first thing I’d say is that you need time, an endless supply of patience, and some kind of technical/engineering type background.  Well, he’s okay with the technical stuff, but the patience?  Dearest reader, the air was several shades of blue.

Then, it transpired that several of the panes of glass were broken, prompting a extremely bad-tempered drive up to a glazier in Cavan town.  And then it transpired that some of said panes didn’t fit, prompting much more swearing and an even more bad-tempered return trip to the now terribly apologetic glazier in Cavan town.  And as for fitting 40+ panes of razor-sharp 3mm glass with fiddly little clips whilst holding them above your head? Sheesh.  I spent the entire time hopping around going ‘ooh, be careful!’…’ooh..mind your fingers…don’t drop it…’ and various other bits of worry-mongering until I was finally sent indoors in disgrace (in a not very pleasant way, I can tell you).

And of course, all through this bad-tempered couple of days, it rained, and it rained, and it rained a bit more.  And then (still with me?  Good) it transpired that a 6′ x 8′ greenhouse isn’t actually 6′ x 8′, it’s more like 6′3 x 8′3 and wouldn’t fit in our 8′2″ wide kitchen garden, and so had to be turned round the other way.  Well.  I learned a few, incredibly creative, new expletives.  By this stage, D had been roped in, so we got a couple of Scottish ones too.  Bonus.

Anyhoo, it’s up now.  Hubby has a few fingertips left unsullied and I’m sure we’ll be talking again in a couple of days.  Probably.

Edit:

And here, especially for Roy (Irish Taxi) is the finished article, complete with some ominously dark clouds.  Ah well, half a day of sunshine should see me through until Christmas, I guess:

Posted in Diary, Friday photo, Photos |

38 Responses

  1. Baino Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am

    It’s looking very good and very professional. . . they say that All Australian Boys Need a Shed . . I guess all Irish Lads Need a Greenhouse! I remember playing in my Grandad’s Greenhouse in Hertfordshire as a kid, he grew tomatoes and Dahlia’s in it. Today, I picked Tom Thumb tomatoes from what I can only assume was a plant, plopped literally by a bird. I certainly didn’t plant it. One of the small pleasures of living in a warm climate . . manna from heaven. All I can say is . . look out for the expletives as they assemble the glasswork!

  2. Aidy Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am

    Do you remember the BBC programme the Goode Life. You’ll be all self suffecient soon and will never have to see the inside of a Tesco ever again. Glorious. Well, unless you find yourself living in the green house.

  3. Aidan Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    OMG, my fingers!! Yesterday a long mirror fell off our wall and the frame around the glass broke so I was doing my damndest not come into contact with the sharp glass a I brough it out to shed.
    What you have described is enough to give me a heart attack (yes, again I should stop reading this crack-like blog!).

  4. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    Baino: It all got very ugly. Still I’ve got my tomatoes installed now - and three pumpkin plants (thinking ahead to Halloween there). I grew up in Hertfordshire too! I remember once when our dog chased a cat, it went past the greenhouse and she went right through. God my Grandad swore!! x

    Aidy: Ooh yes, I can see myself as a bit of a Barbara ;) Well, at least it’s warm I guess! x

  5. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    Aidan: Oh noooo - 7 years’ bad luck (if you believe in such waffle). I kept hopping around insisting that he wore gloves, but then he couldn’t get the silly, fiddly clip things on. Honestly, be careful - he SHREDDED his fingers!! (*ooh, worry, worry…*)

  6. Roy Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    That greenhouse is either very clean or has no glass in it!”

  7. Aidan Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    Tell him to steer clear of lemon juice for a few days and maybe forget about vinegar on his chips ow ow ow.
    And to think I moan about paper cuts (soft office worker) :-)

  8. jennynib Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    Aidan, surely you meant ‘craic’? LOL!

  9. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    Roy: Er, yes, sorry - that was the ‘before’ shot (before he chopped all his fingers off) heh.

    Aidan: Ow, yes. And he really needs his fingers too (I’m not being smutty, it’s just that his job involves lots of knobs and whistles) Oh dear, that sounded smutty too…

    Jen: Why thank you. I don’t mind ‘crack-like’ or ‘craic-like’. Hee. x

  10. Moon Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

    Good work, I had the delight of taking an old one down from my place in Northchruch, thats easiser, and far more satisfying !!

    You are getting more and more like Grandad Jack … you will be hitting the kids with sticks next !!!

  11. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    Moon: I hope you mean I’m getting more and more like Grandad Jack in my green fingeredness and not in my appearance!!!

    And yes, of course I hit the kids with sticks. Doesn’t everyone?

  12. Moon Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    Can I hit children too ?, any children .. pleaseeeeeeee, I often feel the edge you slap a child in the local Store ….. can I ? Can I ?

    as long as you don’t get Grandad cough and flaky legs … !!!!

    Who’s coming in Sept, the whole family ?, Bert ?

  13. Moon Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    God, I must learn to prof read !!!!!

    should read “I often get the urge to slap a child”

    damn my fat fingers !

  14. Coastal Aussie Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    It looks stupendous!! And is just what I imagine you’d need to combat the rain and wind. Can’t wait to see how your garden will take shape in, and around it. Poor English Mum’s Husband’s fingers though, sounds like it was an awful nasty business. xx

  15. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Moon: Heh. Sausage fingers. Okay, okay, when I come home for your wedding I promise you can slap them around a bit. Uncle’s privileges and all that. Yes, we’re all coming. Not Bert, though. We could take the ferry and bring him, but I don’t think he’d get on with Me Ma’s cat. Heh.

    Aussie: Fanks! It’s a helluva job. Do you know, we were quoted €300 to pay someone to do it? Rather have a husband with knackered fingers than pay that much!

  16. wee jen Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

    It’s looking lubbly, EM. Can’t wait to see all the produce :-)

  17. Grandma Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

    I remember when we moved from 3A to 4A…the lovely T from No 2 agreed to move our greenhouse [your Dad not being that hands on]…he ended up in HHGH with an MI!! Greenhouses are fab though…mine at 3A was my refuge….

  18. june in florida Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

    Absolutely beautiful,great job.I remember Grandads in Oxford, whenever i smell geraniums i think of it.

  19. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Wee One: Tomatoes, aubergines, cucumbers and pumpkins so far. Mind you, the weather might yet defeat me (the seedlings are all still quite small) x

    Ma: You can’t put that, nobody will understand! Okay, translation for everyone else:

    HHGH: Our local accident and emergency unit
    MI: Some posh word for a heart attack

    ‘Tis true: I spent all afternoon in there pottering - very nice. I need some kind of table or something though - pasting table maybe??

    June: Me too! My Grandad’s glasshouse was always full of them! The smell of those, plus tomatoes, always takes me back x

  20. Thriftcriminal Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Nice! I’d love the space for a decent greenhouse, but for now I’ll keep an eye out for a lean to version I can put against the back wall.

  21. Jay Says:
    July 4th, 2008 at 11:48 pm

    Wow, looks great!!! Sorry about the fingers, I hope they heal soon!

    How will you stop Bertie from crashing into it? Or doesn’t he move that fast? LOL!

    I ask because I know of two greyhounds who broke their necks running into patio doors because they didn’t see the glass. Two of mine got bloody noses just at walking pace- one before I put stickers on, and one when they were off for cleaning. :(

  22. Don't Bug Me! Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 2:49 am

    Well, I got Grandma’s comment, but then she is my Auntie!
    We have just had a playground put into the green area in front of our townhouse. Moon should come back and visit, since we have perfect sightlines for the little buggers…….ahem, I mean sweethearts…..as they run around screaming their little heads off. Pea shooter, catapult, air gun…..???
    Seriously, nice greenhouse. I have people drooling over my new macro camera lens, but I am now GREEN with envy over your greenhouse! If you have inherited any of Granddad’s green thumb, you should do just fine, assuming you ever get any sun!

  23. Karen Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 3:08 am

    All that you have to go through just to keep things alive in the arctic(!) One of the blessings of living in Australia is not needing to put up dangerous glass houses. Well, it will be lovely to get the produce from it. Do your kids play cricket anywhere near that thing???

  24. jennynib Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 8:50 am

    HHGH? MI? Macro Cameras?

    Speak Irish People!

    ;P

  25. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    Thrifty: Yay! I think I’m probably too late with everything though? My tomato seedlings are only about 12″ high!

    Jay: Ah that made me laugh. Bert NEVER runs anywhere, EVER! So I don’t have that problem!!! x

    DBM: See, I knew you’d get it! Air rifle gets my vote. We’re looking into one for the damned rabbits. Must show you a picture of my pumpkin seedlings - you’ll be jealous by Halloween (hopefully!) x

    Karen: Welcome! Okay, okay, don’t rub it in. And yes, they do actually - and golf - and football! I’m currently spending my life hanging out the window yelling ‘oy! get away from my greenhouse!!’

  26. Kate, or dy'a want the whole kit and caboodle? OK - Kate Barr Gracie Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

    Hi there, Have just had a pleasant wee visit to yer site and appreciate the Irish hospitality, hehe.. how long have ya been an English woman in Ireland missus? I have lots of happy memories of being - for a year a Scotswoman in Ireland, Clonmel, Co Tipperary and loved every rain sodden minute of it. No I’m only kidding that year the type of weather we had was unheard of - the sun shone from beginning of March through to October (well maybe that’s a slight exaggeration but it seemed like it)and it was a looooong time ago 1979/80 - I think. My ex husband (after 20 odd years) decided rather than have a Scottish wife he would opt for a Norwegian one lol. Anyway we had a fantastic time - I keep meaning to go back and visit but as yet haven’t managed it . Will visit yer site though and sorta get the Irish twang through yer blog - Cheers for now, Kate x.

  27. Kate, or dy'a want the whole kit and caboodle? OK - Kate Barr Gracie Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    PS.. I originally thought that the picture of yer Greyhound was of an Afghan Hound - they can be nutters too - since then I discovered my mistake - just call me ‘numpty’… Cheers again, Kate x.

  28. Moon Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm

    you do realise that one of those balls will end up going through a pane of glass, I would bet my house on it !!!!!!

    I do remember Pippa going through the glass after that cat …. very amusing now !…….

    I loved that smell of tomatoes, strawberries….. with all this talk of greenwe are off to build a small veggie patch today, look out Home Depot .. more money coming your way !

    ps …. I think a shotgun for the kids .. or is that a little too strong ?

  29. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    Moon: Inevitable with two sons, methinks. Actually, the greenhouse is quite nostalgic as it actually smells like Grandad’s did when you walk in - that kind of tomato-stem smell! And yes - shotgun would certainly do the trick. x

  30. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 5th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    Kate: Welcome indeed! Ah yes, it’s rainy, but then when the sun shines it’s all so green and lush it’s like being on a tropical island. You must come back soon!

    Oh, and Afghan? Don’t give him ideas - he thinks he owns the place already!

  31. toria nightingale Says:
    July 6th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

    cool!!! I got a greenhouse a couple of months ago, it’s like a jungle in there now!! my (diabetic)H loves it! it’s his personal ’sweet shop’ cos he can eat everything in there and it won’t be too adverse on the blood sugars lol Blueness loves it too cos it’s warm, have to chuck the daft hound out half the time though to get anything done!!

  32. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 6th, 2008 at 8:04 pm

    Toria! Long time no speak - how the devil are you and Bluish?? God, I haven’t let Bert near the greenhouse yet, the clumsy sod would trample everything! Blue is obviously much more sensible! x

  33. toria nightingale Says:
    July 7th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

    (waves)…(blue wags tail @ you) :o)
    well the beautiful blue dog doesn’t trample anything (yet)but he does like to splodge right in the middle of the floor, kinda, well, a lot in the way really lol we put twin walled polycarbonate in our greenhouse…the nutty dog issue and having two boys made me think glass could be a potential major disaster area lol you wait til bert realises it’s warm and nice in there, he’ll think you built it just for him!!

  34. englishmuminireland Says:
    July 7th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    Toria: hmmm, we got given the thing and the glass along with it, but I did question the wisdom of 3mm glass having the same child to dog ratio as you. LOL! Ah well, the sooner they break it the sooner I’ll replace it with polycarbonate I guess! x

  35. Ruth E Says:
    July 16th, 2008 at 6:50 pm

    looks good! Sorry to hear it was such a hassle!

  36. English Mum Says:
    July 16th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Ruth: nothing’s bloody growing yet though - I’ve just been out with a loudhaler to give all the seedlings a good talking to x

  37. Ruth E Says:
    July 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Give them their marching orders! Set them right!

    I couldn’t help but think of this post again because we’ve just spent a couple of weeks measuring our living room and working out what furniture (like book cases and cabinets) will fit in to go from one side of the room to the other.

    We had it calculated perfectly according to the measurements of each of the pieces of furniture only to find when we had it all built that we actually needed 2cm extra to fit it all in…….. so hubby got busy with a chisel and cut out a section of the skirting board and now it’s snug as a bug. But dang annoying that it didn’t just fit the way it was supposed to!

    I should blog about it sometime soon with pics so you’ll understand what that waffle was all about lol.

  38. English Mum Says:
    July 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 am

    Ruth: Ooh pics, definitely! Our sofa just squeezes into our bay window. In fact, if someone sits down a bit hard it gets wedged there - ouch, though, bet you cried taking a chisel to the skirting though!

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