New to me rotten garage, repair

Colin (colnerov), I quite agree with your comments, however when I first moved to Norfolk, I went into the Agricultural Merchants in Dereham in order to purchase some fencing staples. I was used to buying them by the box (20kgs) in Worcestershire, as indeed the same with regards to nails and screws as well.
I asked for a box of staples and when it came to pay, the price was absolutely ludicrous.
The cost was such that I could have travelled back to Worcestershire, on one of my many trips back at that time; bought a box of staples; driven back to Norfolk; still been in pocket.
I learnt all about the price of nails and other fixings when I was tipped the wink that local outlets around Bromsgrove, who displayed/sold nails/staples/screws. which were pre-packed and had the retailer's name, etc.. on the package were in fact being supplied by what looked like a small industrial unit on the outskirts of Bromsgrove.  I went to this non-descript unit, rang the doorbell, and a man came and enquired what I wanted.  When I told him that I had a shopping list for various items, he led me through into the warehouse and so the shopping started.
First off asked for a box of plasterboard nails, then various other sizes and types of nails, by the box.  The last item was 10kgs of 6" nails.  At this point he stopped and said no you want a box (20kgs) of 6" nails.  I said no I don't.
I was then told that for him to get a box of 6" nails off the rack; take that box into the wooden shed at the back of the unit; get the two ladies to open the box, weigh out my order, would cost me more than he sold the box of 6" nails for.  So I bought 20kgs of 6" nails, which I eventually brought the remnants with me, when I moved to Norfolk.
That was when I was introduced to the mark-up/rip-off by certain retailers, and which the Great British Public had little or no idea what went on.
I don't mind anybody earning a crust, but where out and out greed comes in, then I am afraid these businesses deserve to go down the pan.
With regards to CLADCO, I have cause to go to Taunton area, Somerset, every so often. I could have taken my small goods trailer, collected the goods in Devon, and still got back to Norfolk for less that they wanted for carriage.
CLADCO will also not allow customers to instruct the main carriers to collect your order from their premises.
This only points out the fact that they are on a par with Robber Barons in my view. Their day will come, and when it does, oh dear me how did that happen?
I am sure that, like me, your money was hard won; attempts to have one over on me, are treated with the contempt they deserve.

Not a lot done, been busy doing a few other bits around the garden while the weather still quite warm.

I did manage to start painting it all the same colour but only had a drop of wood paint left so will get a new tub tomorrow. Not sure how good the wood stain with stick to the white gloss on the new doors though.

Brown shed looks good with white doors. I'd leave then like that.

I’ve painted it now. The wood stain does stick but will need a couple of coats.

Painted most of it now, just behind the conifer to do,

The garage is the first thing you see when you pull into the drive so happy now it’s looking smarter.

Now that's impressive 👏

Sorry Paul, that’s not the queen, that’s the local Council spying on you with a view to raising your Council Tax band a few notches because “garage improvement” increases value.😎

Turns out the fence paint does stick to gloss, but when it gets wet it’s starts to wash off,

Looks like I’ll have to gloss the doors again

I concreted a post into the ground to support the car port which means I might be able to put some sort of door on it to stop the weather getting on the z4.

Managed to concrete it in on the wonk, then adding to the fact the whole carport is pretty wonky, it looks terrible, too late now, but it is in keeping of the incompetent builder look the garage has






I had put some guttering on the wood shed but now added some to the garage, looks neater now







10 days off over Xmas, 5 spent doing Xmas stuff, other 5 the mrs has worked, meaning I’ve had to watch our lad, which isn’t a bad thing. Just would have been nice to get a full day doing a few bits on this. Especially in 15 degree weather.

Certainly that would work.  However, I was taught many years ago that when planting a wooden post, dig the hole to the appropriate size/depth; place post in said hole; then start back filling the excavated soil a small amount at a time, ramming that soil down tight, using a suitable instrument to reach the bottom of the hole.

If you don't have the requisite 'post-hole rammer' a piece of 2"x2" will do just as well.

Remember the bottom of the hole needs to be tightly packed to stop the base of the pole going walkabout.

Continue replacing soil, a little at a time, ramming each shovel full at a time.  Maintaining the density of the newly infilled soil.

At the end you should have in fact run out of soil by the time you are nearing the top, and have to go and get some more, from where ever.

Job culminates in building a CROWN up around the post, which duly sheds any water that runs down the pole.

Completing the task this way means that as and when you want to remove the pole, it is a lot easier than breaking concrete.  Plus concrete will rot the post, where it forms a 'CROWN' around the post.  It is also where the post will snap, when sideways pressure is exerted on the post.

The person who taught me had over 40 years experience erecting 'power-poles'  and was the foreman on one of these crews.  Many might disagree, but the pudding is in the eating.