A narrow piece of uneven lawn above a sloping bank never was the ideal pathway to the studio unit of our Lily's Cottage, especially for ladies on heels or the more mature guests. I had to guide them along the longer paved pathway that leads to our two-bedroom unit, the 'real' Lily's Cottage, all the way around the other side of the property, then the walk took them past the pool, and up a long flight of stairs. Our younger and more agile mature guests used to 'take the shortcut' through the garden.
When hubby was still around, we looked at various ways to install a pathway - a raised wooden boardwalk, or a paved pathway, but both would be costly, and we were starting to look at downsizing and moving somewhere down the coast.
Those plans sadly never materialized!
The idea of selling and leaving our home without him by my side went right out the window.
Some six months later, when I got my breath back, I discovered a local company that manufactures pavers and stepping stones! That was the answer to my pathway dilemma.
It's handy having two brothers who are always willing to help, as well as Bonginkosi who learnt many DIY skills from hubby.
We needed a handrail. and I wanted a rustic look. My older brother was tasked with that job and recommended treated wooden poles. Bonginkosi added the finishing touch with hemp rope braiding.
When using stepping stones on a lawn, one usually sinks the stepping stones into the lawn, but our lawn was way too uneven. Bonginkosi used a different method as he had to level the pathway out.
It was a more messy process as he had to plant grass runners in between the stepping stones, but his method worked. A month later the grass had thickened with only a few patches of sand still showing. We had to nurse it through a dry winter but it started flourishing when the summer rains came.
Mr. Poe was the site inspector and gave his approval. He enjoys running along the rail and the braiding makes the perfect scratch pad!
Long-standing studio guests are all delighted with this new shorter pathway to their unit!
We weaved flashing solar fairy lights between the poles, which look pretty at night and show the pathway from a distance. Of course, it doesn't give enough light, but we have sensor lights that light up when guests approach the pathway.
To all our Silver Bloggers, don't think now you're reaching the age of 'golden handshakes' that it's time to sit and watch the world go by. We can still do stuff around the home on a shoestring budget and spruce up the home and garden!
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Artwork by @artywink
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Artwork by @artywink
I love this advice and I fully agree with it: “We can still do things around the house on a limited budget and make the house and garden more beautiful.”
Every day you can do something, one day you prune a plant, another you move another one, you save money and make repairs, the worst thing is to stand still while things deteriorate more. We can always do something.
Best regards.
ps. the pet is happy
Oh he is such a sweetheart, a very happy chappy!
I absolutely agree with you @charjaim, at least we have more freedom now to do these things. One need not spend a lot on plants either as a lot of them multiply so I share with friends and get plants from them as well. It's satisfying seeing the fruits of one's labour.
I do the same with plants, it's the safest way to have a garden. Give and receive.
A hug
That pathway was a good idea, and it's certainly looking good.
I am nursing our lemon tree in the back garden, and it delivers very big lemons. Bonemeel does the trick.
Have a look at the size of this lemon.
I will do a post as soon as we also pick the other lemons.
!PIZZA and !LUV
(1/10) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community | HiveWiki | <>< daily@lizelle, @papilloncharity
Wow Zac, that's a real beauty! I absolutely love Lemons, use it in just about everything. Thank goodness you nursed it back to health, rewarding you now for that💕
Thank you milady, and what I have noticed is that the tree has reduced the amount of lemons that it used to produce. Now it's much less, but they are bigger, and so I don't know if it's a good thing, as it's a fairly old tree. !LUV
(2/10) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community | HiveWiki | <>< daily@lizelle, @papilloncharity
I see my wife reflected in this publication because she is always trying to improve the spaces in our home and make them more comfortable.
Thanks for sharing.
Happy journey.
Cheers and greetings. I really like everything she has done and I share what @charjaim says about the joy of her pet.
Thanks for popping in, have a great day further!Thank you @tonyes, it was a really nice project, affordable too! Great stuff that your wife also enjoys sprucing up the home and garden.
That was great @lizelle, love the whole project. I really enjoy your story telling, which always makes me smile.
I applaud your decision stay put, so many sweet memories are there for you and the b&b keeps you busy and engaged with your guests and friends.
Good for you girl. Hugs!
I'm considering winding down now while I'm still well enough to handle a big move. But it's still early days! For now, I'm enjoying my home and the bnb, but I'm getting my mindset ready, possibly down the coast where Arthur and I wanted to go. I have friends who live there, and a school friend is contemplating going there as well. We'll see, my dear Robin, I trust the good Lord will lead me <3Thank you dear @farm-mom, and so are yours, I've missed you!
you go girl, we only have one life to live, make the best of it.
hahahahaah so cute!!
$PIZZA slices delivered:
(2/15) @papilloncharity tipped @lizelle
A job well done @lizelle 💕
Thank you my friend, very happy with the results, and the cost ;)
Mr. Poe was a great inspector, that is why it turned out so great! 😇
Awe thank you @mipiano, he's simply the best😍