We bought enough wood to make the rest of the raised beds (after finding some cheap scaffolding planks on ebay!) so the two Richard's set about constructing the second bed!
Job number 2 was fitting the new water butt, Rich's Mum and Dad brought us a joint birthday present of an oak barrel (total perfect prezzy, full marks there Elaine and Rick!). We have wanted one of these for the front of the house for ages, there was just the small matter of sorting out our blocked down pipe. When we brought the house we new the down pipe was leaking pretty badly and creating a damp problem in the front room, on closer investigation it turned out that the pipe that is supposed to carry the run off away from the house to a soak-away was blocked with roots, leaves and mud. So those clever boys when and got some new piping and after a day of tinkering (which I sadly missed as I was at work...shame!) they have sorted the problem and fitting the water butt. The guttering now works really well (touchwoodtouchwood!) and has hopefully sorted the damp problem and gives me a free water source for the patio plants.