What makes the perfect shed?

[Peter]

My shed.

No it is not a converted toilet.
Yes it is two sheds fastened together.
Yes it is on little stilts, of concrete as water flows under it in winter.
The righthand side holds the basic minimum of un-cherished tools.
The lefthand side holds the dog and the Peter when it rains.
No radio, stove, chair, whiskey or other facilities as it has had its door removed twice by vandals / potential thieves.

[sewer rat]

Hi Johnty
If you wanna stove for your shed, I wouldn't bother with a wood burner or pot bellied version. My mate got a neat black cylindrical incinerator from an E bay shop for �90 then paid �13 for a length of pipe as a flue and it heats his workshop which is about 12 ft by 20ft. He fuels it with logs and any rubbish lying around. He's gonna get me the ebay address so if you wanna have a look I'll post it on this thread when I get it. I'll be getting one for my workshop too.

[shine388]

its very cute peter *thumbs up*

i like the idea of having it on stilts although i'd personally be scared of walking near it incase something nasty was lurking underneath

x

[NOG]

Hey Peter that looks like my wheelbarrow....I had it stolen last year...it hasnt got 151 painted on the back has it?

[Hans Mum]

mine is the most organised thing in my life, everything in its place not a bit like the house and the most important thing in the shed is the camping stove my system for clearing the plot is 10mins digging/weeding/whatever then a cuppa and a chat with whoevers about and as my OH treated me to a whistling camping kettle i never let it boil dry now

[johnty greentoes]

Thanks Shedders,

Nick - the book looks really good - it's on my list ... definitely makes me want to go way beyond B&Q.

Having said that I can see the wisdom in Peter's more minimal approach, especially as I think my shed will attract the attention of local scallies.

Sewer Rat - I will look forward to the link to the incinerator thingy - sounds like a useful way of generating heat.

Hans mum - you have confirmed my theory about gardening generally. It's the opportunity to have just one small piece of life where everything can be organised to be just as it should - it's a pretence ... but why not? That's the kind of shed I want. Have a look at my blog to see how organised my bit of paradise is at the moment. Here's a taste...(I hope I can retrieve the image)

[zebedee]

A shed is like a portal into another world. A place where time seems to slow right down, and the atmosphere is redolent with all sorts of evocative smells, varying from 'swamp' to 'heavenly'!
It is a place where you step in from the allotment, turn round to look back out the door, and immediately the view is different, where you are encouraged to stop and stare.

Ah, the shed, the shed!

[Birdie Wife]

Hi Johnty
If you wanna stove for your shed, I wouldn't bother with a wood burner or pot bellied version. My mate got a neat black cylindrical incinerator from an E bay shop for �90 then paid �13 for a length of pipe as a flue and it heats his workshop which is about 12 ft by 20ft. He fuels it with logs and any rubbish lying around. He's gonna get me the ebay address so if you wanna have a look I'll post it on this thread when I get it. I'll be getting one for my workshop too.

That sounds ideal for us too! My OH does some wood-turning and he's always got stuff to burn (the waste, I mean, not his work... ). He's been looking at pot bellied stoves with the idea of turning it into a smoker for the summer months...

Just had a quick look on ebay myself, this isn't it is it?

[SueA]

How about this book - bit sexist though, women have them too!http://www.amazon.co.uk/Men-Sheds-Go.../dp/1843303299

[rustylady]

A ROOF!, my shed only has half of one

[Two_Sheds]

shed vandals

...shed has had its door removed twice by vandals / potential thieves.

I've heard of people keeping bees in their sheds (read Digger's Diary, its fab). Perhaps a fake beehive attached somewhere on the shed, or a sign saying 'beware bees/wasps now nesting, may swarm if disturbed' would be a deterrant? You could leave a tape player running playing buzzing noises as an optional extra.

[Benacre]

My shed would have a comfy armchair, gas stove and a good tool rack, a good Radio Cd Player too.
Benacre

[johnty greentoes]

Brilliant ideas fellow GRAPES,

SueA- yes I've seen the men and their sheds book, and I agree it's sexist, but funny - it has everything from a sauna to a church.

Zebedee - I think you would enjoy the book SueA recommends. I think there is an earthily spiritual place to be found in a shed.

All in all it is clear that a shed/allotment is much more than a place to grow stuf to eat.

[sewer rat]

Hi BW
That stove is far too grand - I'll nip off and have a look for it just now on e-bay. Will post result in a bit

[sewer rat]

BW
Could not find it on e bay but there is a website for the seller Here's the link.
www.sunstoves.co.uk
At only �99 +�20 postage to ANYWHERE in the UK, has to be worth a look, espesh for those of us who have to pay excess delivery costs for everything!