When my knees see the light of day, the sun shines for more than four hours continuously, and the temperature rises to 20 C and above; it's time to start thinking about swimming.
Usually we leave opening the pool until June 1st, but we begin to think about it in mid-May (i.e. now), and the very first thing to do is empty most of the water from atop the hibernation sheet of black plastic.
A few years ago I bought a special pump to deal with the water, but it has always proved to be a problem. You don't just chuck it in the water, and flick a switch. It has to be carefully positioned with its ridiculous 'floater' up in the air.
To achieve all this requires the combined brains of Heath Robinson, Grandpa Bungie Potts, and Jules Verne.
In winter 2019/20 I shall work on a floating island, into which the pump will sit. It will float around the pool, keeping its depth constant, and pumping away like a trooper. I'm already working on a prototype.
For the moment I do the above.
32 comments:
I just sold a DVD on eBay called 'Inventions from the Garden Shed' - if only I'd known you were so inclined, I could have gifted it to you! Backyard tinkerers like to stick together.
I remember the vitamin C you spilled in the pool, sometimes things are very simple.
I'm a genius with black sticky tape, and a few bits of scrap wood. Anything more technical defeats me.
To get rid of the stains; yes! It remains to be seen if we'll need it again this year.
It, obviously, works - problem solved.
Where it is in the photo is shallower than in the middle. I need to construct something that will float, and self-regulate it's depth. Difficult to explain.
Take a piece of tube, stick one end in water, place other end in mouth and suck to start off, then place tube on pool side and leave to siphon off.
I tried that last year. It's difficult to explain, but the only place it could drain off to, leads to The Pump House. Not a good idea. It's a shame because it would have been so much easier.
Get a longer piece of tube and drain off to grass area.
I think there is an ex MP with a spare duck island if you look around.
I only like the swimming part ....... to look after a swimming pool must be a bit of a chore but the rewards are great. To cool off in your very own crystal clear swimming pool in the Summer must be glorious. XXXX
Get a bucket!
Is this just a once a year job or do you have to clean it regularly during the season as well?
We have some old decoy Ducks which we used to put on the pool. People would comment about how unusual it was to have live Ducks on one's pool.
When it's really hot we're in and out all day long. It's the best way to cool off, and exercise at the same time.
I'd be there for a month!
This particular job is just once a year, but you have to clean a pool almost every morning. Otherwise they soon become nasty.
I think you should grow fish in it and supply your local holiday village with fresh produce from your smallholding.
Would Tadpoles do? Plenty of those!
Unfortunately I have yet to get water to flow uphill.
You need a regular flow of water in one end and out the other. Best diverted from a small stream. That way you could also have some fish, frogs, water lilies, bull rushes. It'd look really nice. Maybe you'd have to dig a big hole first ;-)
In our case I'd have to dig a very long canal. No local waterways here. We always said we'd like one of those natural pools. Alas...
Do you know about the Canadian actor Steve Smith's 'Red Green' character? If not, I'll happily share a starter link. He's your kind of guy (and mine, too!) His 'Handyman Corner' skits are priceless.
I just had a look on YouTube. I note that he has much the same confidence in wide duct tape as I do.
Not really fit for purpose comes to mind. I think I know who Heath Robinson is. I know who Jules Verne is but I have no idea about the amusingly named Grandpa Bungie Potts.
Do you really need a pool? Why not have air conditioning? You could sit inside all day and watch tv in great comfort. I am sure the French breakfast tv shows are equally as good as the English ones, that are slightly more highbrow than the Australian ones. Then there are the brilliant American daytime soap operas. Yes, definitely, fill in the pool and get air conditioning, and a nice big smart tv screen while you are at it. You can play funny Youtube cat videos on your smart tv, did you know?
what about a pool float. You know the dense foam ones you have to put under one arm to work the other only when learning to swim. Or even a childs rubber ring with a mesh sling to keep it vertical...
All too complicated for me Cro.
Duct tape for Red is 'The Handyman's Secret Weapon!' I met the actor, Steve Smith, one time. The Red Green voice is not his real voice - totally a stage voice. When I remarked to him about it, he said, 'That's why they call us actors.' Enjoy....
Thanks for that advice Andrew. I have given it serious consideration, but I'm afraid you've been over-ruled by Lady M. She did mention that she'll be sending some 'heavies' round to your high rise!
I was playing with thick sheets of polystyrene, but without too much success. My latest system is to hang the whole machine from the end of a long pole; a bit like in the photo. It seems to work OK, but keeps coming apart. It's a good thing that the task is almost complete.
I saw some Newts in with the Tadpoles. I'll have to remove them to a nearby pond.
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