The Backyard Blitz

When we first moved into our house last November, our back porch looked like this:




A beautifully lush, albeit overgrown, view to gaze out upon, however the deck was rather looking rather sad, suffering from years of neglect.

Then arrived a day when Mrs B's Dad and Grandparents came, bringing with them a waterblaster, chainsaw and six helping hands. Mr B tackled the deck while Grandpa and Dad hacked away at our overgrown giant of a plum tree. The ladies flitted about pruning and snipping, tidying and clearing. It was a marvellous day; three generations all working towards the same goal, cooking together, gardening together and fellowshipping.

Then five hours of good ol' fashioned toil later....

...And I had thought the wood was darkened due to age!

So we went from from this...



...to THIS!



Mrs B and Gran cut down all the bamboo that had been growing along the side of the deck and we later pulled down the grotty matchstick blind-type things that were stapled on the side, (they were beyond rescue anyway but we have decided we kind of like the look without them).

We then went out and bought ourselves some Resene 'Natural' waterbased stain... Two weeks and two coats later, we have ourselves a brand spanking new deck! Ain't she gorgeous?


Thanks to Dad, Gran & Grandpa for sharing your expertise and giving this young couple the push we needed :)