Hopefully, if all goes to plan... the trenches for the new drainage/sewer system around our house will be being dug early next week. Part of the deal was that we would remove all the small obstructions from the path of the digging. That means that there are several rock retainers and some paving stones and a small path that will be need to be taken up by us.

The rocks are pretty easy... just digging them up, and lifting them from one place to another. Some are relatively light, but the really large ones will just be done with the excavator. It is easier for them to do that rather than for us to try and break our backs doing it...

... however, the paving might be a bit trickier to do... well, it is easier enough to get them up... but it will be a bit dicey as to whether or not we will be able to put them back in the same or similar pattern. The usual problem is that the pattern and shape is a bit irregular, and so we will need to mark down how they were originally laid out. The plumber suggested that we mark them with chalk and then take photos. So, that is what we have done...

... of course, if it doesn't end up working, then we can always relay with different pavers in a different pattern. But for the moment, it would be nice not to do that until we are ready and know what we want for that part of the garden!

... this is just like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Numbering the edges and then marking some sort of pattern with the chalk to complete afterwards. I did them in smaller groups, marking the zones with different coloured chalk so that we would be sifting through smaller piles looking for that right irregular shape!

It turns out that there is a concrete edging that seems to have been laid first around the paved area. It looks like that that was laid to keep the roots out of the area and to help keep the stones and pavers in shape. Sadly, that broke a bit whilst getting it out... so, we will have to try and make do with the different parts. They were getting old anyway, and I'm pretty sure that they were broken before I started lifting them out.

First stage done... they needed roughly a 3 metre width to work with... and so, I'm going to have to do another batch to make up the full width!

... hmm, those roots are all over the place!

... and there we go. A nice wide path for the excavator to get through, and for me to try and puzzle out how to get the pavers back again in a couple of weeks! If anyone has any suggestions, please drop them in the comments! I'm a complete noob when it comes to this and I'm sure I will make all the rookie mistakes!

... sigh, there was also irrigation pipes to pull up as well! More than I had thought as some of it was laid under the ground without any indication that it was there aside from the fact that there were two exit points on either side of the path! So... found them all, I think!

So, this is one side... lots of rocks and pavers stacked to the side, and we will be ready to re-lay them when the pipe work is complete. There is now the larger stuff nearer to the rocks, and then the path at the back. Plus a few more irrigation hoses to pull out. Should be done by the weekend!

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