Pools & Our Back Garden

We visited the block (again!). We wanted to look at the backyard space where the pool will go. We looked at how much decking we should have near the alfresco area, how much room should the bbq area have at the back of the garage and side wall of the house.

Here are some designs that we are looking at for pools. We like one side of the pool flush or nearly flush up against the side wall, like the pic below. We like the garden bed idea but worry about dirt getting into the pool.

Here's another design of it... with more plants by the side of the pool

And a variation of the "2 sided pool"

As we are walking across the yard - trying to guess how big our footsteps were to measure the length of the pool the builder turned up. He said he thought it might rain and wanted to put some temporary gutters in as he didn't want water from the guttering just run down the hole where the down pipes are to go. He said he didn't want to get any water in the footings!

The bricklayer is a "one man team". The builder said he takes 2 weeks to lay all the bricks instead of a week. He said he employs the brickie and he works for him full time. He said he likes the consistency using one man give him when laying the bricks. He said the bricks and mortar are exactly the same ALL around the house. I love the colour of the bricks! They have bricked in 3/4 of the garage and are just about to do the front. The front will be done in ugly, cheaper bricks... why use the expensive bricks when they will be rendered! Wonder what the neighbours will think of our horrid bricks!!! Can't wait until it is rendered!!!