Not a lot of progress today but I think I may have found an ex stock UPVC wood effect window for £50 actually there were two, one was 130 x 90 and the other 60 x 90 both may fit but I need to check the completed height of my wall.
There was also a full size UPVC door also in excellent condition but I think it is going to be too big?
Anyway I am still contemplating destroying the horrible LH wall but the top 4 course had to come down anyway. I cut through the mortar line and then with a small lump hammer.
First part down. Then...........
This largest piece only seemed to want to come off in one large piece. I maneuvered it clear of my new wall before giving it the message.
The LH wall is now at the intended height of my block layer but the more I look at it the more I want to destroy it.
The two rows of blocks nearest the main wall have footings that are slightly higher than the main wall and will look horrible on the inside of the work
shop. The rest of the wall has footing that are lower.
The only problem is my missus will go nuts if I knock it down as it would seem a step backwards. Pity I couldn't dismantle it, dig and lay the footings and build it the same day!!!
Maybe I'll build up the other walls and then take it down.
The wall has quite a bit of earth behind it which I start to excavate today.
After smashing up some more hard core and cleaning up I dry laid some more blocks to work out the next course.
Having nice square walls would make this easy but this is not a square garden!! I have made the RH wall square to the back wall which means the corner with the wall that runs along the path is angled. I am trying to work out the best method of laying this corner.
Whilst I had the cutter out I marked and cut the two blocks that yesterday I found were too high. I took a little to much off the middle one but hey ho a little more mortar will cure that.
If I stagger the second course as in the pic above I'll have to cut an odd piece to slot in at either end.
The end by the gate is a lot easier.
With the centre of the second course block directly above the first course join only half a block is needed to meet the end. Whether I tie it into the existing wall using wall ties and drilling into the existing wall or demolish and key both walls together the outcome is the same.
For the RH edge of the front wall I am trying to work out how to key in the angle corner as well as considering the door opening which I anticipate will also be on the RH side.
I could lay the second course block so that it is staggered 50 / 50 over the first course as in the pic above. I could then either cut the overhang at an angle to match the wall, or cut the block square so that there is a recess on the return wall which I can hide with mortar.
Until I confirm the door opening position and width I am at a bit of an impasse. In the next pic above and below the tape measure is set to 92cm which is the width of my kitchen UPVC door. With the block in this position there is half a blocks width of useable space on the inside. The door I am looking at is a left opener which is a pain because entering the workshop will be hindered unless the door is fully open as the internal width at this end is probably just over 1m. With a RH opener the door would just open against the RH wall making access much easier.
As shown in the pic above the tape measure represents a UPVC door with frame of 92cm wide. This leaves above 157cm to the LH wall sufficient space for a small window with a decent amount of timber cladding either side not to look too cramped.
Hopefully things will start coming together soon