Seven lengths of 2×1s, seven lengths of 2×1½s, four ground spikes, and a stretch of good weather – that was all I needed to get started on the pergola. Only the spikes were easy to source. The pressure-treated timber wasn’t quite the size I wanted, so I had to use a few tricks to make it work with the spikes (I’ll explain that later). The weather, however, was something everyone living in Ireland had been wishing for over a very long time. After months of rain and wind, milder conditions finally arrived. Garden work could be done without getting cold…

An under-desk footrest was a must for me, it was essential for improving my posture and the ergonomics. I figured out what height would be ideal for my feet and found a perfect board in the shed. Now I can tell that the timing was perfect – I started the project before Christmas and quietly applied the finish over the next few days after the holidays. It was cold, about freezing, but I managed to do the glue-up and apply a few coats of a durable finish. I couldn’t start that project sooner, as the past November was the 5th…