This is what 9 tons or 11 yards of 1″ round stone looks like.  We only need about 7 yards but I am sure we will use it all.  Mostly being shifted about with the bobcat, but it all needs to be pushed and pulled around to level it.  Mizuho is finding it very good exercise.

At how it looks after getting wet.

Since we started landscaping about 2 plus years ago, we have had landscape fabric covered by some rocks around the edges of the house, garage and shop in the area under the eaves.  Most are now covered in round stone, with another 30 metres of perimeter left to do.  Its beginning to look as though the house is actually occupied 🙂

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Work on the shed continues. Coop and I just finished the aluminum soffits so all that is left is some trim on the gable ends.  The back of the shed has double doors for motorcycle storage.

The area in front of the shed is being leveled out.  I will build 3 raised planters 1m x 2m in front of the shed.  The pallet is a temporary step.  The area under the wide soffits will be used for wood storage.

Work on the fence also continues slowly.  This gate is flanked by welded steel wire fencing coated in black pvc.  To the left is the first section of the deer fence – polyvinyl netting 8′ high that is almost transparent at any distance. 

Another section of the fence which has the cables run and is ready to have the polyvinyl stretched and hung.

Fall is arriving here quickly, a very nice time of year.

We helped our neighbor harvest his first crop of grapes. Lots of fun and a good investment of time as these grapes shall be made into Chardonnay – he had about 4 small truck loads of these.  He also has gewurztraminer and pinot gris and pinot noir grapes.
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Lastly, came across a great deal on an electronic drum kit, complete with amp and speakers. A winter project.   Went to a Mavis Staple (80 years old survivor of the Staple Sisters who can still shake it up) and Jonny Lang (guitar phenom – famous at 15, now in 30s) concert last night.  Kelowna is well served with entertainment.

Summer appears to be over.   We saw an all-time-low temp for yesterday at +14.  Only a few plums left but lots of pears and the apples are coming on strong as are the grapes.  Our neighbor’s vines are coming along well.  We are planning to help him with the harvest in about a weeks time – cutting the bunches of grapes and filling baskets which he will then move to the pressing floor.  He has about 5 varietals on 4 acres, and although he only planted 3 years ago, he is getting a very good crop.

Still enjoying the remnants of our French wine from our cellar. Bourgogne.  Ahh….

Have now landscaped around the garden shed – putting in rock walls, building up and leveling, spreading mulch – and have finished the double doors for the motorbike entrance.  Need to get some aluminum soffit material and install, and then install the trim and gable ends.  Also moved and filled the 2nd firewood shelter (cut up but not split logs seasoning for another year).  Still need to move some additional cut up logs for another year of seasoning. 

Should have some photos of some additional steel fencing, some polyvinyl fencing, and some additional leveling, and hopefully the beginning of the main front gate.  Am preparing (rock walls and filling with gravel and dirt and then leveling) the area behind the shop as well for planters I hope to build in the early spring. 

With the help of a friend, I have been cleaning up and organizing the site, as well as leveling the ground around the shed and moving rocks.  A flat tire on the bobcat has slowed things but shall be getting a new one put on the rim today.  The stacked fir tongue and groove will be used as planter walls next spring.  Coop and I installed the double doors on the back of the shed (photo next update) and M painted the fascia which is now ready to be installed, as is the corner trim.  Soffits will be next, but may not be this year.

Moved the sifter over and now again using it for dirt. My plan is to spread some excess crushed rock on the upper area and around the shed, and then put a few inches of dirt, mixed with some mulch, on top.  Should be smooth and well drained, I hope.

Fences between the two gates and the shop/house are now completed. Need to now build the front gate on the steps and the welded wire fence at the front of the house.

UBC asked me to teach a 3rd year course on trade policy this fall at the Okanagan campus.  As I thought I would regret missing the opportunity more than I would regret the work required to prepare the course, I accepted.  But much of the past three weeks has been spent creating the syllabus, readings and content. The first of 23 classes (40 students) is on Thursday.  A new experience that I expect will be both interesting and pleasurable.

Peaches are almost done, pears and apples are now out.