Eureka, it is finished!
Well, at least the first part. Because anyone who wants to drive onto a campsite pitch regularly (and get back off again) should have a good driveway.
No sooner said than done; my friend Pascal from nearby (one reason why I ended up in the Palatinate) is a major construction expert and immediately offered to lend a hand. Although… it later turned out that we were more the ones helping him.
The head organizer has experience in house building and, as I now realize, can do almost everything himself.
First, the plan
I thought to myself that if we’re doing a driveway, we might as well put up a small garden shed at the same time. But thinking, supported by planning, is better. So, it was off to the planning board—or in this case, PowerPoint—to upload a picture and draw in some lines and boxes. Very successful and, in this case, completely sufficient.
He also brought along another helper right away, without being asked. That’s how it’s done!
Part 1: Driveway based on grass pavers with a gravel and grit base.
Part 2: A simple garden shed that we can still move. Cheap and easy to assemble (the latter was probably a pipe dream).
Planned duration on my part: 2 days
The pit: where to put all that sand?
What do you mean, sand? It was actually soil, but where Pascal comes from, they call soil “sand” and real soil is called “topsoil.” Learned something new again!
Actually, you would think that setting up a small garden shed measuring approx. 127 x 200 cm and 180 cm in height wouldn’t be a huge undertaking. Actually…
In the end, the assembly always required two people and took just as long as the driveway.
A deep cut on a finger was also included, because the cheap part simply doesn’t have deburred edges. Gloves are advisable, but not always practical. Unfortunately.
The joke of the matter is that the door handles, which also have holes for a lock, are attached with two Phillips screws. Simply brilliant, these Chinese manufacturers. So, anyone who wants to get in just needs a screwdriver. Safecracking skills are not required.
The garden shed: in all its component parts
After 2 days (9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM) with a total of 4 people, a plate compactor, and a car with a trailer, everything is finished!
What remains is a pile of soil—later for raised beds etc., seen in the background of the picture—and a still-missing service water drainage pipe.
True to the motto: After work is before work. I’m already looking forward to it!
The result: In the rain approx. 1 hour after completion! That’s what you call perfect timing!
The costs
With projects like this, I always find it interesting to find out what the whole thing cost:
€90 for 46 grass pavers—which, by the way, weigh 27 kg each!
€130 for gravel and grit—a total of 4 trips with the trailer
€240 for the garden shed—incl. shipping. A “steal”
€0 for the plate compactor—free of charge from Pascal’s neighbor
Helpers: simply priceless!
Overall conclusion: Never buy a metal garden shed from China, and nothing works without real friends who are skilled and have the right tools and connections!
Many thanks to Pascal, Tom, and my husband Klaus. You were great!
