We’re with you
‘Quality is not an act, it is a habit’
STEP 1
Remove the offending slab or paving brick. Most likely, it’s loose anyway so this shouldn’t be difficult. A hammer and stone chisel or bolster will do the trick or, if it’s stubborn, you can hire or buy a small pneumatic chisel. Clear away any supporting cement or sand as well.
STEP 2 You should be able to find a matching replacement at your local DIY store or for older pathways, head to an architectural salvage yard.
YOU’LL know this already, but from Monday groups of six people from different households will be allowed to meet at a two-metre distance in gardens and private outdoor spaces thanks to the latest easing of lockdown measures.
Great news, of course.Yet I can’t help but think it could prove to be problematic. It’s a bit like picking teams at school, isn’t it?
If, like me, you are not naturally gifted on the sports field and possess the hand-eye coordination of a broad bean, then you too will shudder at the memory of being lined up on a bench in your PE kit desperately hoping your name isn’t the very last to be mumbled out begrudgingly with a roll of the eyes. Sporting prowess (or lack of) hopefully won’t play a deciding factor in the social bubble selection process. But playground politics may, once again, rear its blotchy, pimple-dashed head.
Now I don’t mean to play Devil’s Advocate (although that’s exactly what I am about to do) but imagine finding out that a dear chum had a little garden soirée and you were not one of the chosen half-dozen? Ouch.
On the bright side, at least, you can save a stamp on this year’s Christmas card list.
But enough mischief-making from me for one day, and let’s applaud talented mum Justine Bate, from Manchester, who has been swamped with hundreds of orders for