Good fences make better security

From the first time we went to the plot, we noticed a well worn, highly travelled thoroughfare along the side by the neighbour's wall fence. This popular short cut, though convenient for the neighbourhood could prove to be a costly nuisance to us. So the next step was to build a fence to change the behaviour of the neighbours. The ultimate fence, which is part of our architect's plans, is also expensive and therefore relegated to some future phase of building.

Getting down to basics, we decided to build a simple fence of wooden slabs and posts. So we found someone to do just that - give us a quotation for materials and labour and get it done. Finding someone was fairly easy. Getting a written quotation wasn't a big job either. After checking the costs of materials and transport and having the first load delivered to the site, work began.

Work started on the fence in the back of the plot. Twenty-one post holes were dug, two meters apart. Once the posts were secured in the holes, horizontal wooden slabs were attached to the posts. Vertical slabs were then meticulously nailed. You can't really tell from this picture, because you're looking at the inside. Outside pictures come later. Remember, patience is Fruit of the Spirit.

When work began on the front fence, the issue of the container surfaced. It had to be moved. The fork lift moved the container to the gate opening and left it there. The idea was to go around and lift it from the front. It sounded like a good idea at the time, except that...

...the fork lift got stuck in the sandy soil. That begs the question - "Why is the soil sandy?" Because the river is very close by. Did you think it had something to do with the waterworks?

Those two lonely posts aren't for the fence. They're for the shack - about which more later.

While waiting for the forklift and container to be extricated, work continued on the front fence.

Now you see the outside results of meticulous nailing. It will look even better with the gate in place.

Do I hear the sound of bated breath?

Will some accomplished blogster tell me how to get the spacing right?