As you might be able to see in the top photo, our pool gate had seen better days; much of it is either rotten or broken, some bits are even missing. I made it from some 'fencing' that I bought at a local Garden Centre. It's had nearly 15 years good use, so I'm not really surprised that it needed replacing.
Now comes the fun bit.
I bought a new piece of 'fencing' from the same garden shop as before, strapped it to the roof rack, and proceeded to drive home; happy with my purchase.
Unfortunately, not long after leaving the store, the whole bloody lot flew off the roof rack, and smashed into as many pieces as possible on the road behind me; there weren't two pieces left joined together. Luckily I was able to gather-up all the bits, and later put them together again (below); this time with pukka screws rather than the silly staples that some plonker in Taiwan had originally used.
The actual construction of the gates required the skill of an 10-year-old, all it took was time and effort. It was a matter of positioning the hinges correctly, and lining-up the bolts. It also required a good dose of 'preservative' before re-installing.
So, here it is in situ, ready to keep out unaccompanied children, high-jumping dogs, and any wildlife looking for a swim. As you might have spotted, I still had to saw it in half, and add the closing mechanism, but that was the easy bit.
Cost of 'fencing', €12.50. Bargain.
29 comments:
Good job there was no car behind you to be kissed by your loose fence. Otherwise the 12.50 wouldn't have been such a bargain. Hope your insurance is up to date, and your French up to scratch (in order to deliver your defence convincingly).
U
Luckily no car was hurt; only my bit of fencing. It probably did me a favour as I might not otherwise have seen how flimsily it had been made.
Good job, Cro. It is aesthetically and does the job too. The colour of the pool is so enticing. No wonder your spirits lift when temperatures rise enough to open it all up
So worried about how to spell 'aesthetically' that I forgot the 'pleasing'.
In between jobs yesterday, the pool was very well used! I think it'll be much the same today.
A similar thing once happened to my luggage on the motorway. Luckily it too missed all other vehicles and landed on the hard shoulder. Gave me a fright though - never used a roof rack since.
I guess it's time to invest in a pair of ratchet straps.
Whilst I'm here; was it ground cumin you sprinkled on the veggy stir fry dish a few weeks ago?
Yes, cummin is the miracle worker.
I actually need a pukka roof rack, mine is just a couple pieces of wood tied on the side rails. Not ideal!
Ta.
Yes, could have been expensive if there had been a car behind you.
About 50 years ago we were driving down through France, when the roof rack came off. It followed us down the road between our car and a lorry, eventually ending up on the verge. Nasty.
I'd tied it on so well too. If it had been better made it wouldn't have happened.
You should feel very satisfied with that. Good job done.
Let's hope the new gate lasts as long as the last one. Well done Barry Bucknell!
I think it looks lovely and you now know that it is strong.
Good there was no real harm done or car behind you when the fencing came off the roof rack. Good that you did such a nice job fixing it.
Yes, it's a good gate. Reasonably solid. It should last a while.
Blimey, there's a blast from the past. Barry Bucknell indeed!
It was really shoddy before, I think that's why it all came to bits on the roof rack.
Yes, it wouldn't have been much fun if it had landed on someone's car. I could have been in big trouble.
That's a very charming gate! Probably much better that you have re-engineered it. -Jenn
It was so badly constructed... I was quite shocked. It just fell apart.
Whoops! At least you realised it had flown off the roof otherwise you might have been a bit puzzled when you got home.
So why did you buy it?
And it tastes really good. I tried it.
A job well done. Pool fencing and gates are taken very seriously here. Too many children have drowned.
Well done, gramps.
It was an excellent outcome all round. If you hadn't had it smash to smithereens it'd probably have been installed and then the next few years you'd be grumbling about its poor construction!
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