A black and white dog on a partially constructed deck. power tools lying around

Outdoor areas are essential to maintaining your sanity if you live in an urban area. Sure, my local area is well provisioned with beaches, public parks, and is eminently walkable, but a private area of one’s own is valuable.

We’ve been slowly improving our back yard for years - making it more liveable, more useable, and more relaxing.

The latest addition is a small deck area constructed from pallets and second-hand decking planks - all surrounded by around two tonnes of golden gravel.

A back yard - featuring a deck, an arbour, and a low glass-topped table

The idea is that it’ll serve as a platform for barbeques, or hammocks, or for lounging. So far, the dogs have been hogging the space.

A black and white dog on a deck. A large Bay tree in the background

Roll on, summer!