Steps
There is a steep step (40 cm) down to the patio from both our sitting room and conservatory. Many years ago, Barry built a wooden step to replace the milk crate we were using. Years later, he hammered further planks onto the wooden step, with the grooves of the wood running at a 90˚ angle to the original, as it was proving rather slippery in its old age.
Now it has reached the point of needing to be replaced completely, and we resolved to push the boat out and buy one ready-made. There’s so much more available now, and we’ve gone beyond the Heath Robinson stage of life in most things. (The last thing we built was a garden gate and it’s a solid thing of great character, not quite the height of a house door, but not far off.)
So, we have been measuring and consulting and think we’ve finally found the right thing. In fact, we’ve decided to buy two, as we’re still using a milk crate for the conservatory. Crates are remarkably strong, but with a purpose-built step, we will be more inclined to go in and out of that room more readily. Additionally, it will have a handrail, which is a Good Idea.
The other thing that is becoming increasingly rickety is the wooden bridge over the pond. It’s not a huge pond, but it is too wide to step across, and we need to be able to go over to weed and prune. We used to cross on a plank, but that became hazardous and the bridge we replaced it with has been there for a Very Long Time.
The pond is gradually clearing and looking fresher and cleaner. There is a large community of newts, which has taken the upheaval of the environment quite calmly, as far as one can tell.
The heat last week brought proceedings to a halt. Will this now be superseded by rain to provide further disruption?
Preparing your home for your senior years is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteOne needs to step carefully.
ReplyDeleteGood news considering that "safety is no accident." I had to google Heath Robinson...was familiar but did not know his name. What a treat to have that blank filled in. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWe're at that stage too, buying ready-made or hiring people to help every now and again. I need new steps built from our laundry room down into the garage, with rails!!!
ReplyDeleteEstar com atençaõ ao espaço em que vivemos é contribuir para a melhoria da nossa qualidade de vida.
ReplyDeleteAbraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
I didn't know about ready made steps, with handrails too!
ReplyDeleteSteps are probably the number one hazard in people‘s homes, causing tumbles and stumbles which more often than not mark the beginning of a downward spiral, as I have seen a lot in family and neighbours. Therefore I am glad that the era of crates is coming to an end at your place and that you‘ll have proper, safe steps soon.
ReplyDeleteRain is forecast here for this afternoon, and it can not come too soon for us; everything is at the stage where it wants to grow, grow, grow, but that‘s hard to do without enough water.
No matter a person's age or ability, safe steps are the only way to go. Hope these projects do exactly what you intend. I would love to see the pond with the newts.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky our garden is flat and now all level, trip hazards are best avoided as we age, do new steps will give peace of mind as well as a firm step.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy to maintain a garden, or a terrace, balconies, etc. The older we get, the harder it is to walk, to pee, etc. Our yard is on a hillside, so we leveled and terraced most of the yard, and we built concrete walls and stairs. Everything is solid, but you still have to walk carefully, watch your every step.
ReplyDeleteI think we all reach the point where fixing things ourselves becomes an unattractive alternative to buying ready made or paying someone else to do the construction. Please pass on my regards to all those newts. I am very fond of them.
ReplyDeleteIt's always better to err on the side of caution and make sure things are safe. A handrail is always a good idea by steps.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new steps! The newts in the pond are exciting news.
ReplyDeletepurchased steps sound like a much safter option. The milk crate is functional but not always safe. A guy I worked with used to stand on one to straighten shelves in the store where we worked. One day it broke under his weight and he went down hard.
ReplyDeleteAs we get older safety starts to become more important doesn’t it
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
It's funny what you get used to doing, especially when you finally replace a crate with an actual step!
ReplyDeleteFortunately for us...My family is in the construction business. You will be so glad when your steps are secured again. Hopefully you will show us a picture of your pond and the steps..
ReplyDeleteProper steps with a handrail does sound like a Good Idea! Doesn't take much as one gets older for even a much slighter difference in height to become a problem...
ReplyDeleteA new step and more importantly a handrail.
ReplyDeleteYou know you've reached a new stage when you're thinking of replacing the crate with a real step. I'm glad you're going for the handrail, too.
ReplyDeleteGood for you...although I'm an expert faller and even proper steps are no obstacle. ("Push the boat out"??)
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved into my first apartment, I had milk crates for chairs. lol They are very strong.
ReplyDeleteGood ideas to do for your safety! If you get any handrails for your bathroom and shower, get the ones where the metal has etching on the handle. It's much safer with a soapy hand to grab the etched ones than the slick ones. Usually availble in a medical supply store. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the options of ready made steps. Safety is the main thing. Hope the weather doesn't hold if off. Have a great day today.
ReplyDeleteSafety is so important, perhaps more so as we age.
ReplyDeleteI also think a handrail near steps can be helpful.
All the best Jan
I'm glad to hear the newts have not been fazed by the changes to their home! It's funny that you've been using milk crates all these years, but yeah, probably a good idea to get something more stable with a handrail.
ReplyDeleteYes, my husband and I are learning that things we could ignore or just work around when we were young have to be addressed now, just when our abilities to do same aren't the same as they used to me. Sigh....
ReplyDeleteWhen hubby and I start to go to our senior center. Someone who older and wiser advice us to make sure we had good study steps. It was good investment.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, proper steps and a proper bridge. The time has come.
ReplyDeleteSturdy and safe steps and bridges are an absolute MUST in my opinion. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteHandrails are very important. If you do not need them now, put them in anyway and your life will be easier for many years.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your helpful comments.
ReplyDeleteFor CrankyCrow: 'push the boat out' means to be extravagant.
From the web: The phrase originated in the United Kingdom and likely comes from nautical slang. In the early 20th century, British sailors used the phrase to describe buying a lavish round of drinks for their crewmates when heading out for the night.
Yikes, knowing my luck I would have tripped over or fallen splat over that milk carton years ago!
ReplyDelete