‘How to build a shed?’ I echo.  This is random.  I didn’t think we needed a shed, a green house maybe, but a shed?   I certainly didn’t think we needed to know how to build a shed.  You see we have outbuildings.  Outbuildings that passers-by in Summer tell us they would be quite happy to live in.  And yet all of a sudden the generator room, as we call this collection of buildings, is not big enough for all our junk.  

Apparently my gardening equipment is a problem.  This could turn into a domestic bicker of  large proportions.  ‘My gardening stuff?’ I ask incredulously.  It barely takes up a fraction of the heavy industrial gear in there.  As it is I have to climb over a bank of battery chargers to get to my fork. 

But the bicker stops there as I think about this.  A shed.  Just for my gardening stuff?  No battery chargers to climb over?  This could be good, I could create my own shed heaven.  A little potting bench.  Portable radio.  Window looking out over the buddleias and butterflies.  Tools hanging neatly from the wall.  An old chair with a much loved and worn cushion on it.

I smile at The Man from Salford.  ‘I think what you do is take your credit card to a DIY store and they give you a shed.  Flatpack.  Just knock it together! Easy, that’s how you build a shed.’  Apparently this is very un-green and consummerist of me.  An accusation that appears frequently in our bickers.  I don’t like to point out he hasn’t even constructed the owl box he’s been meaning to make since the beginning of Winter.  (Admitedly he’s been busy with the water system.)  The Man from Salford is right, we do need to know how to build things for ourselves and be more self-reliant.  And while building a shed seems like a big undertaking to me, I am keen and warming to the idea the more I think about it. 

The Man from Salford is already busy researching the net in search of useful info on shed building.  I look doubtfully over his shoulder and make useful comments.  But that’s American I tell him as he peruses yet another promise of shed perfection, but he is not perturbed.  Apparently American centimetres are the same as English ones.  For the record I have great trouble cooking in American, the only thing I measure in cups is bra size.    I’m going to put it here he says……..

Ok and when is he going to build a garage to store the cement mixer and scaffolding?  I’m watching this space. 

So, what is your idea of perfect shed heaven?