A narrow piece of uneven lawn above a sloping bank never was the ideal pathway to the studio unit of our Lily's Cottage, especially for ladies on heels or the more mature guests. I had to guide them along the longer paved pathway that leads to our two-bedroom unit, the 'real' Lily's Cottage, all the way around the other side of the property, then the walk took them past the pool, and up a long flight of stairs. Our younger and more agile mature guests used to 'take the shortcut' through the garden.
When hubby was still around, we looked at various ways to install a pathway - a raised wooden boardwalk, or a paved pathway, but both would be costly, and we were starting to look at downsizing and moving somewhere down the coast.
Those plans sadly never materialized!
The idea of selling and leaving our home without him by my side went right out the window.
Some six months later, when I got my breath back, I discovered a local company that manufactures pavers and stepping stones! That was the answer to my pathway dilemma.
It's handy having two brothers who are always willing to help, as well as Bonginkosi who learnt many DIY skills from hubby.
We needed a handrail. and I wanted a rustic look. My older brother was tasked with that job and recommended treated wooden poles. Bonginkosi added the finishing touch with hemp rope braiding.
When using stepping stones on a lawn, one usually sinks the stepping stones into the lawn, but our lawn was way too uneven. Bonginkosi used a different method as he had to level the pathway out.
It was a more messy process as he had to plant grass runners in between the stepping stones, but his method worked. A month later the grass had thickened with only a few patches of sand still showing. We had to nurse it through a dry winter but it started flourishing when the summer rains came.
Mr. Poe was the site inspector and gave his approval. He enjoys running along the rail and the braiding makes the perfect scratch pad!
Long-standing studio guests are all delighted with this new shorter pathway to their unit!
We weaved flashing solar fairy lights between the poles, which look pretty at night and show the pathway from a distance. Of course, it doesn't give enough light, but we have sensor lights that light up when guests approach the pathway.
To all our Silver Bloggers, don't think now you're reaching the age of 'golden handshakes' that it's time to sit and watch the world go by. We can still do stuff around the home on a shoestring budget and spruce up the home and garden!
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