Last year I removed the fence between us and our neighbours on one side, with the intention of replacing it with something more sightly.  With the fence gone though, all agreed that it not being there was a marked improvement and it had stayed that way ever since, allowing the afternoon sun to filter gently through the leaves. 

One downside however, was that as the honeysuckle and roses died back in the winter, so it became a little too open for my taste, so some time ago I conceptualised a cunning modesty panel.  I use the word conceptualised quite deliberately, as I had no idea how I was going to do it.  The panel would abut the wall and sit gracefully across the end of a gazebo, but this was too wide for a stock item.  So, as an insight into how my mind works, I approached the problem thus:

First, I worked out where the post would go and drove a steel post holder into the ground… back in November!  It was in a tricky place to swing the sledgehammer and there are some tenuous roots at that point, so inevitably it went in slightly skewed… and that’s how it stayed.

Next, early in April, I bought a stack of wood.  And last weekend, a roll of bamboo screening. 

So, yesterday morning, because it was sunny and I couldn’t think of the best way to relax… and because our neighbours went out (I hate an audience when I think I’m going to make a fool of myself!) I put on my shorts and worked out how I could fix a post neatly around the back corner of the garage.  And then, having cut, drilled the pieces and assembled them, fixed it in place.

Next, I consulted my craftsman friend Andrew regarding the twisted post holder and he suggested the judicious use of a five-foot iron bar (which I just happened to have laying about!) to twist it into the right place.  With some ingenuity (using a bar-size drill-bit and a couple of 2×4 offcuts) I coaxed the holder into the right place and dropped the post neatly in.

Now the tricky bit.  Who knows how to construct a fence panel?  Not I, as I had been more than aware for several months!  Helpfully, I still have a few fence panels around the garden so I had an excellent template… and I scribbled down how mine would work for good order. 

I first measured the space between posts, then cut and laid out two simple frames sandwiching two layers of bamboo screen, pretty side out.  And firmly screwed it all together… which actually wasn’t that difficult.  With the help of my excellent assistant, who had been weeding, cutting edges and generally catching the sun, we lifted it snugly into place and I screwed it home.

Et voila, there was a modesty panel.  Not exactly what I had in mind for the day, but at least the legs came out as promised!

Redirecting the garden lights created a pleasing tableau and I now can’t wait for the weather to be warm enough to sit out in the evening!