A lot of work to do.......

To be honest Steve, it will probably get raised that 3-4" again once I put the concrete fence posts underneath

 

Steve,

I did think that the exposed thread looked 'useful' for some reason, as it would allow another nut to be screwed on and using it as a 'high' anchor for something ...... Maybe a securing point for a made up irrigation unit ........ Something Tony has been thinking up

No updates since yesterday , I wish I had the time to get over there more, we need longer daylight hours

Looks like you're set to become the owner of a shiny new key Wednesday morning

I'm a little undecided at the moment, I could easily knock up some raised beds using some pressure treated deck boards (something I have seen someone else do around the site), I get the idea that this is mainly to stop rabbits, so if I were to grow things that rabbits like, I would probably do some raised beds, but mainly, I think I'll plant straight into the ground.

 

I very small update....

I was over the allotment yesterday and have set the frame of the tunnel onto concrete fence posts, I have also attached angle brackets to the exposed thread of the bolts which hold the tunnel together to the stakes driven into the ground, it feels solid.

So....... I then decide yesterday that I would put the cover on, as it wasn't windy at all.

So I get the cover out of the shed, I then start to put the cover over the tunnel, I get it roughly into shape, I found out that the tunnel has a door either end (I thought it was only 1 end), I have since checked the Ebay listing, and indeed, it does have two opening ends (I'd rather have had only 1), anyway, I decide to test the zips work, as I have read that this is where the weak point is, I get the zip down okay, then start to unzip it, and as I do, the top part of the zip pops apart for no reason, now the zip is stuck 1/3 up from the bottom.

I decide to try and get the cover on anyway, as I may just add some timber to the end that is broken and have it as a fixed end (original idea anyway), as I am trying to get the cover down, the wind now starts to pick up, it is at this point that I decide to give up and pull the cover off and try another day, but in the meantime, I have emailed the company to let them know about the faulty zip.

Hopefully the anti hotspot tape which I have applied, will not succumb to the elements now that I have had to leave it uncovered.

 

I contacted them and they will replace the cover, they just need a photo to confirm, Which I went over to do yesterday on my way past.

Just need to email them the pic across.

 

I know I haven't got the cover on (well, I had, but it had to come off due to the reasons above), but here are some pics of how I have anchored it :-

Firstly, I cable tied the base of the tunnel to my newly acquired broken concrete fence posts :-







The I used some angle brackets that bolted to the exposed ends of the bolts which you use to assemble the tunnel and then screwed the brackets to the stakes I had driven into the ground :-





I then applied the 'anti hot-spot' tape :-



And that is when I found the broken zip :(

 

Okay ... Another update

It's been a while, I have since managed to get the cover on, I will also add, I used the old cover ..... My reasoning was that after putting it on, I just wont get on with Zips to keep undoing, as the zips are not all that good quality.

You'll notice from this first picture that I have fixed 2 timbers between the stakes I have put in the ground, I will be closing this end in, as I have no intention (yet) of having a door in that end.



And outside, notice the heavy use of concrete fence posts :D



A shot from the front of the plot :-



So... Once it was up, I decided that I really should get a doorway put in place, so first, I put in (roughly, I will add), a frame... Not square or even parallel, but such is the nature of the tunnel/ground levels, so it will just be a case of making the doors to suit the opening. The top of the frame was bolted to the exposed thread left from the bolts that hold the tunnel together.



Today, I popped over again, and this time completed the frame opening, and cut off the 'flappy' door









And by the time I left today, I had the doors hung and tower bolts fitted (though I had forgotten to take my drill bits with me, so couldn't drill holes to accept the bolts to locate), so now all I have to do is fit the cover material over the doors to complete.

 

I cannot comment, as this is the first tunnel I have had, that said, both Scrungee and SteveR have the same tunnels (or at least covers).

I must admit, that after the work that has gone into prepping it, I may as well just got an expensive one.

I have noticed that others on my allotment, have made their own tunnels using Blue Water pipe as the hoops and then buying a polytunnel cover to cover it, which is buried in the ground.

I'll see if I can get a pic of one, next time I'm over there.