Before
Operation Garage could be finished, let alone Operation Kitchen commenced, the
more pressing issue of a balcony on its last jittery legs jumped to the top of
the list. It’s sagging mass was already
being supported by telescopic poles I installed earlier in the year. The weekend after returning from the US
(August) I literally tore the old structure down, and then went about the job
of procuring bits for its replacement.
Design would basically be the same, although with a few modifications;
balustrade height in line with modern standards, and open deck edges to reduce
kindling collection, which I figure is kind of important for a bushfire-prone
location. The deck panels are a recycled
plastic-bamboo blend, as Bunnings couldn’t tell me which part of SE Asia the
Merbau alternative actually came from.
The
whole assembly process was a bit of a protracted process, with a few cycling-related
things getting in the way, but the final touches were finally added on the
weekend.
Big
thanks to Ham for all his expertise with regards doing stuff with timber, and
for his generous donation of tools, not to mention time. Also thanks to all who pitched in for the
critical “barn-raising” component of the project. And thanks to Anita for her patience, not to
mention all the hours of help with timber prep and staining, and keeping me
plied in craft beer. I suppose this
means the kitchen has just moved up a notch (or two) on the list!
