I am finally getting around to rebuilding my shed/workshop/man cave (delete as appropriate). For a whole range of reasons I need not trouble you with, the original was in the wrong place, and must be… replaced! It will be a fun project, although a lot of work, considering I am a one-man-band. The new one will be solid enough; hollow concrete block and corrugated roofing. And I have some ideas on how to finish it. One piece in particular is a large, beautiful old pine door my Dad purloined from some job (‘potentially surplus property emancipation’ was his specialty).
I have been collecting some of the raw materials since the start of the year (and no, I won’t mention ‘the war’ that slowed me down during Spring). Most are in my Mother’s yard, and I fear it’s only a matter of time before her patience cracks and she asks me move it. There are over 150 hollow concrete blocks, a door lintel, timber cladding (from disassembled pallets), and various bits and bobs. It’s like an Ikea shed. I just have to put it all together.
The project has required me to make space in my Dad’s workshop in order to allow me to move a lifetime’s worth of tools and materials from mine into his so I can begin to demolish the old one before I can start work on the new one. Are you with me?
It’s been a slow enough process to date, and the dwindling hours of daylight are not helping. It’s becoming a weekend-only job. Last week, the wooden log store I had lovingly built against the back wall got the hammer. I moved the firewood, and have saved most of the timber, though it may not get used for anything in the end. Then I rooted out all the brick paving in front of the old shed double doors, and yesterday, I demolished the barbecue stand, giving me yet more bricks to stack. Our garden is looking like a salvage yard.
At some point in this process, I surveyed the rapidly changing landscape, and thought it a shame not to document the process. Admittedly, it’s not as if YouTube hasn’t already an abundance of short films on the bloke who built a shed out of, well, another shed. There’s probably tons of them. But this would be MY shed, and my record of its construction.
But then I thought… sod it. Not everything needs to be documented in one’s life. The simple act of doing something should be enough most of the time. And on a practical note, it will slow me down if I have to keep filming progress.
So I have decided not to trouble myself with that extra work, and just keep tipping away when I get the chance. I have no set completion date. It will be done as time (and money) allow it.
And I reserve the right to change my mind completely on this!
As regards the recent piece of film work; well, that currently has 160 views. I appreciate in a world of millions and billions, this is a paltry figure. But for me, I am very gratified to think our little movie has had that many folks watching it.
In other news, the gym continues to be my main form of exercise. Running has rather fallen by the wayside for now. This usually happens when I have no race to train for. Dublin Marathon is in a few weeks, and in the past, that was always a great focus. This time, I get to watch from the sidelines, and I am rather excited to see that my niece is taking part, so instead of training plans, running gear and nutrition, I now have to work out the best vantage points on the day.
But I think I’ll get in a nice long run this Sunday. The weather looks nice.
Just for the record: the first fire of the season has been lit!
Sadly, we have been to another funeral this week. A 48 year old married mother of one, daughter of old friends. There is no shortage of sorrow in this world. 😦
unironedman 
I love that photo of the teasel 👌
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Did you not think of building the second without demolishing the first, Mr Jackson?
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A plan view and some photos would probably help explain why that is not really an option, sadly. The original shed is not on my property, alas, and the new one can only be built by blocking up the door opening of the old one which will support the roof of the new one. That said, I reckon I can half-build the new one, and then move some of the really heavy stuff and at least get the floor done (which is going to be the concrete patio slabs from the old floor). Oh damn… you’re talking me into making this into a film!!!
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You put me properly in my place with such a sensible answer to a foolish ‘Python’ reference! I stand shamed.
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To film or not to film, that is the question.
Can’t help ya. I know I’d totally enjoy watching the process unfold to the accompaniment of another terrific soundtrack and with witty narration from your own sweet self. Then again, there’s something to be said for serving a single muse, at least on occasion; for focusing all your creative energies on one project at a time in a be-here-now/Baba Ram Dass kind of way.
And Niall’s so right — the teasel is exquisite.
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Well, I was having one of those conversations in your head yesterday evening, as I chipped the last of the stubborn mortar of the bricks that had once formed the barbecue stand. I could Eamon’s voice (he worked with, and was very fond of, my Dad) asking me why I was bothering with these bricks… why not just get new ones. And my reply was that these bricks were some of the many things that Dad gave me (see ‘purloin’ reference in the blog) over the years, and I was going to hang to every last piece.
And at that point, I had to fight the urge to run in and grab the camera and start filming, I have to admit…
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Loving the typical greyhound laze across the entire couch photo! 😁
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They are truly magnificent in their laziness!
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There is something very exciting and perhaps a bit romantic about a shed. I love the fact that you’ll know every screw and nail of the building. We’re thinking of having a small art shed for Anne at the bottom of the garden, but it will be built by others as I don’t have your expertise. Maybe, if you’re not filming, then take lots of pics of work in progress.
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Oh, there will be lots of pictures! Best of luck with your workshop. Always exciting when something like that will inevitability lead to something creative.
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Have you ever seen the books ….I think they are called “Blokes and Sheds”? A friend of mine absolutely loved them. I would love a woodworking shed. I have the space, but the big tree that dominates my yard makes placement difficult. Money is the other big factor, of course. I considered dropping a shipping container in the yard, but that didn’t sound good after a while.
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Cheers Anthony. I am not familiar with the book, but I see it there online. I’d put it in the same bracket as ‘Norwegian Wood: The guide to chopping, stacking and drying wood the Scandinavian way’, which I do have, and would heartily recommend!
I’d certainly avoid a shipping container for several reasons. Aesthetically, they are not much to look at (they will always be a shipping container, and you will eventually spend a lot of money trying to hide this fact). I’d imagine they are not cheap either, so building a ‘real’ shed would be possibly cheaper.
They are horribly dark, cold in Winter and an oven in Summer, which makes them unpleasant to work in, or store materials in. Plus you won’t have the joy of building your own shed, which I think is the essence of the whole thing. Security is about the only thing going for them… they are called shipping containers for a reason!
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