The front walls are so close now, just need the caps to finish them off. Rogelio came by to talk about installing the metal screen on the south side, and Laurie from Digit Gardens came over to consult on the design of the screen, plantings, and great ideas for future work. It will take some time to do it all, but I have no doubt it will be worth it! I highly recommend Laurie and Digit for landscaping work. Her perspective is incredibly helpful and her feedback is to the point and right on. (Link to Digit is on the left column of this page.)
The cold weather really hit the front plants, so today we removed the agave, cut back other plants we hope will regrow, and cleaned up as much as possible. Until the wall is capped and the french drain is in, we can't do much more -- plants will have to wait a while longer.
Smitty re-did the block over the small window (this is the third time that's been done, the first time by Smitty.) Given the problems inherent in the way the block was originally set, we've got the best result we can get. Once the mortar fully cures and the block weathers, it should blend in with the old work. One little thorn in my side, gone!
Here's the evidence to date:
rather sparse, but better than dead plants!
from the sidewalk, wall sans final 2" cap. you can see the upper wall here in the foreground, and the lower courtyard wall to the left.
view through the upper opening where the future walkway will go. the wooden pallet suggests what's to come!
the southern side of the upper wall. there's a cap block on the left, this will go on top of all the walls, should be done next week.
Spring 2007: First block-work over small front window. The bottom doesn't look great, but the top was awful.
2nd try, summer 2008: nope, not yet. the attempt was made to make it symmetrical on both sides, but the workmanship was poor, not to mention the blocks chipped up in the process.
January 2010: Smitty removed the offending blocks and the ones too chipped to look good. In the process, discovered some limitations in the original installation, so we had to make some compromises to avoid removing all the block on the wall just to make the window look exactly right.
3rd time's a charm: The pattern is the same as version #2, except it's neatly done and the blocks are cut well. The damaged blocks are replaced as well. Once the mortar cures and lightens, and the block weathers, the new work should blend in with the old. Does Smitty LOVE this solution? Not really, but we are both ok with it. Time to move on!
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