My Garden Progress

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Kevin Cowans, Jul 19, 2018.

  1. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    :heehee::heehee::heehee::loll:

    I am Clematis Anonymous, Kevin:dunno::heehee:
     
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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      Hi Kevin,

      It hasn't been a good year for you at all, has it? Just as the issues start to be sorted out another one comes along. At least with the paving problem you have a reliable service that you can contact and hopefully they will see it through for you. I hope that 2021 is better for you. :)

      I'm sorry to hear that your dad passed away at Christmas and when you were very young. It's something many of us find difficult to cope with. I lost my own dad when I was 21 just four weeks after the birth of my first child, his first grandchild. I have three children and there were times when I resented that they wouldn't grow up with him around, spend time with each other, and gain the interaction and guidance that only a grandparent can give. You probably feel the same regarding your dad, as if you've been cheated not having him to grow up with.
       
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      • Kevin Cowans

        Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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        Hello @Sheal

        Thanks for the kind words and sorry for your loss.

        The thing that makes this harder is that because of my Autism and the way I perceive time, my whole life is in the present, if that makes sense, hard to explain.

        Basically, I am living every moment of my life at the same time, i.e. now.

        Things that happened years ago, for me, are happening now.

        As I said, hard to explain.

        As for the issues with the Landscaper, hopefully Checkatrade will be able to help.

        It seems a simple issue but is anything ever simple.

        I have the original email conversation where I specified Kandla Grey, I have the email from the supplier where the Landscaper sourced the materials stating that they are Raj Green and not Kandla Grey.

        Also, when I rang the supplier, the person I spoke to actually looked up the order the Landscaper made on 06 October which included the Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone Sawn and Honed Slabs for the Patio repairs and on the order it stated that there were 60 x Raj Green Cobbles, not Kandla Grey.

        As required by Checkatrade, I sent an email to the Landscaper outlining the issue on Thursday.

        I need to give him some time to respond so I will wait until next Friday, if I do not get a suitable response from the Landscaper by then, then I am required to post a Negative Review on his Checkatrade Profile which will be picked up by the Checkatrade Staff, at which point they will contact him about the issues, he then has 5 days to respond to the issues, if it is not resolved after the 5 days then the Negative Review is posted on his Profile.

        Hopefully, the issue will be resolved, and by that, I mean the Raj Green needs to be removed and the agreed to Kandla Grey be laid.

        I am really not coping well at the moment with everything that is happening, I also still have the plastering to get sorted but am having to wait until Spring now due to lack of funds.

        All fun :wallbanging:

        Thanks

        Kevin
         
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        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          Hi Kevin,

          Could it be that the landscaper had placed an order for both, which perhaps look similar and then he made a genuine mistake of laying the wrong ones? Another client of his may well have your slabs as part of their paving.

          Look after yourself and try not to worry. The issues will get sorted out given some time.
           
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            Last edited: Dec 6, 2020
          • Kevin Cowans

            Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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            Hello @Sheal

            Unfortunately, your scenario is not likely.

            On the evening of 06 October the Landscaper emailed me to let me know that he had all the materials required and that he would be coming the next day to do the work.

            When I spoke to the supplier from where the Landscaper sourced the materials, they looked up Orders placed on 06 October and found the Order for the Landscaper which included the Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone Slabs for the repairs to the Patio and 60 x Raj Green Cobble Setts, there was no mention of any Kandla Grey Cobble Setts on his Order.

            Another couple of issues that I need to add to the Case with Checkatrade is that on 09 October I emailed the Landscaper to let him know that part of the curve on the Patio had not been completely cut.

            He confirmed the issue on the same day and said that he would come the following week to correct it but he never came and I have not heard back from him since.

            Also, the edging in the back garden was extended by 1 Cobble Sett to make the curve blend in better, however, the Cobble Sett that he used is one of the Raj Green Cobbles which will need replacing with Kandla Grey to match the rest.

            Believe me, I am trying not to worry but things are getting harder by the day.

            Thanks

            Kevin
             
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            • Sheal

              Sheal Total Gardener

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              Hi Kevin,

              Well let's hope this problem is sorted out for you soon, but probably not until the New Year now.
               
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              • Purple Streaks

                Purple Streaks Gardener

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                Hi Kevin ,sorry to read of your upsetting experience with slabs , plastering etc.
                I wonder if the original slabs were hard to come by with the current situation of Covid ?
                2020 hasn't been a normal year Covid has affected everything.
                Could it be the others were the nearest to what you wanted and this wasn't brought to your attention .?

                The plastering,
                In my experience the plastering would be no good in this damp weather you'd probably find it lifting . That is unless we have an extraordinary dry sunny but cold winter.
                But this is only my experience during a wet October a few years ago.

                Apart from the set backs since you started , your garden IS taking shape.But many a time we only see the upset and it's hard to stay strong in this situation when we have a picture in our mind which we are working towards and it isn't easy.
                Try to keep this picture in your mind and stay strong. Take a winter's break , let mother nature take its course of preparation to start afresh in spring .continue to look and decide on your plants and colour schemes with a cuppa and your favourite biccis .

                Take care ,stay safe .
                 
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                • Kevin Cowans

                  Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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                  Hello @Purple Streaks

                  Thanks for the reply.

                  Regarding the Setts, I checked on the day and the Kanda Grey were in stock, besides, if a customer requests a specific stone you do not use a different one if the requested one is not available :noidea:

                  The plastering is going to have to wait now until the Spring, at the earliest, mainly due to me not being able to afford to get it redone at this time.

                  Thanks for the comments on the garden, it is starting to fill out so I am looking forward to seeing how it grows next year :smile:

                  Did someone mention Biccies, mine are McVities Milk Chocolate :hapydancsmil:

                  Thanks

                  Kevin
                   
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                  • Purple Streaks

                    Purple Streaks Gardener

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                    Ah ! Say no more, as I have always said of biccis
                    And sticky toffee pudd , makes a sour job sweeter:spinning:

                    They're on me list !!!!
                     
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                    • Kevin Cowans

                      Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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                      Hello @Purple Streaks

                      Also, I am the only one in the family that can bake a decent Victoria Sponge (Jam filling).

                      My Mum taught me when I was a teenager, along with Rhubarb Crumble and Jam Tarts.

                      Unfortunately, living alone they do not last long :)

                      Thanks

                      Kevin
                       
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                      • Kevin Cowans

                        Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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                        Hello all

                        Well, I received a reply from the Landscaper about the issues with the Edging.

                        He says he does not know what went wrong and also asked why I have waited for two months if they are the wrong colour.

                        He also said that he would not be able to replace them until February because the frost causes issues for the concrete base, I am fine with this, I just want the issues put right, if I have to wait until February then so be it.

                        I replied, reminding him that I queried the Setts used on 08 October and he assured me that they were Kandla Grey, they are not, they are Raj Green.

                        Also, that I struggle with this time of year and basically shutdown when November starts :sad:

                        I will see what his reply is.

                        Thanks

                        Kevin
                         
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                          Last edited: Dec 8, 2020
                        • Purple Streaks

                          Purple Streaks Gardener

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                          Believe me Kevin, should your living arrangements be any different they wouldn't last any longer either ! :popcorn::BBQ:
                           
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                          • Purple Streaks

                            Purple Streaks Gardener

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                            Just a thought Kevin ,

                            would the supplier come out to see them .

                            But just curious here ,is there any difference in price ?
                             
                          • Kevin Cowans

                            Kevin Cowans Super Gardener

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                            Hello @Purple Streaks

                            As I understand it the supplier of the Setts is Trade Only so I was lucky that they confirmed the Setts were Raj Green and not Kandla Grey.

                            The photos I sent to them are:

                            20201203_150330.jpg

                            20201203_150336.jpg

                            20201203_150346.jpg

                            20201204_144409.jpg

                            The Kandla Grey Setts look like this:

                            20201207_140642.jpg

                            This is a photo from the back garden, please ignore the green stuff, it needs cutting.

                            I looked up the prices and for the 200mm x 100mm Setts, Raj Green are £0.95 ea. and the Kandla Grey are £1.15 ea.

                            Thanks

                            Kevin
                             
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                              Last edited: Dec 7, 2020
                            • Sheal

                              Sheal Total Gardener

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                              It would seem the landscaper has made a genuine mistake Kevin so let's hope he gets it right next Spring. :)
                               
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