Tatton Park Diary 2010

The wind and rain are creating difficulties on site today. The materials and equipment that we aren’t currently using are weighted and tied down in case the storm gets worse.

We are concerned about the wind damaging the plants (particularly the Agapanthus) so we move them to a sheltered corner against a fence and surround them with wooden posts to keep them in place.

Kaleidoscope is progressing slowly. Richard and Peter have got the corner walls in and are working on the levels and supports for the four enormous (and heavy) mirrors that will go into the centre of the garden.

The water feature is being built at Inspiration and Me.  As with the mirrors, it’s important that the levels are right so that the water doesn’t end up looking sloped.  Both garden sites are sloped front to back and sideways, so getting everything in place is proving to be tricky.

On Friday morning it is finally time to get the mirrors in place. It takes six people to move each panel so we need extra help to carry them into the garden. Two of the designers from another site kindly agree to help. 

The first mirror goes in alright. There are problems with getting the second one to fit. At first it seems that the measurements might be wrong, but we finally manage to place the panel. Then someone notices that it’s upside down!

As it was so difficult to get in, we consider leaving it, but decide we’d better turn it.  Luckily it doesn’t take as long as we feared.  The other two panels go in and it’s time to start planting.  By Friday evening the silver birches are in one side of the garden.