The next order of business on the fence job was adding pickets to the two sections of the east gate. This would involve using self-tapping screws to drill through the wood of the pickets and into the metal tubing of the gates. Along with the salvaged pickets from a section of fencing pulled from the old south fence, we got more pickets along with the self-tapping screws. Luckily, we had just enough pickets between the salvaged and new pickets to cover the two sections of gate. We only needed one narrower picket for each gate to cover the small remaining gap at the ends of each gate where they meet. At first I took a spare wide picket and cut it in half the long way to fill the narrow space on the ends of the gate sections, but when we moved on to install a couple panels, a small section of fencing that remained after cutting a 6ft section from another panel presented itself so I pulled a couple narrow pickets to use instead of the ripped picket. I had to move the latches a couple times and adjust the tension cable to get the gates somewhat leveled and able to latch to each other while also being able to be opened to the inside without dragging the gravel away from the area. As for the panels that we went ahead and hung up, one of these came from the south section, just behind the Fuel Shed. This last section of the old south fence line, had one picket that was cut at an angle to allow the panel to mate against the tree that served as a fence post. Because of this, I had to use an extra picket to cover the opening that was present from the half cut picket. I also had to use pieces of short 2x4 to the fence posts to cover the gaps that were present from the unevenness of the fence panels relative to the posts. On one of the panels, which was the panel of the west fence line where it met the corner with the south fence line, needed a replacement 2x4. Luckily we also got a spare 2x4x8, originally intended for use in making short pieces of boards to help hang the panels against fence posts. After refurbishing the fence panel and hanging short boards to the posts, we managed to get two more panels hung, covering the span along the posts that are already sunk in the ground along the east fence line. At this point there are several things I'll have to do to get ready to continue with the fence job. First thing is cutting the high grass and weeds along the east fence line as it works its way further south. Also along this fence line are two small boats and some parts staged there for a future project that will have to be temporarily moved out of the way. Another thing is some pulled chicken wire from the old garden fence, pulled from the south corner of the garden but never fully removed. Along with this old chicken wire fencing, the old fencing that is now blocked by the three wood panels will also have to be removed, along with the old T-posts holding the fencing up. Once all of this is removed and the area fully cleaned up, I can then auger out post holes for more panels. I have two panels left, not sure of the dimensions of them, however. Since the panels were attached to trees of different spacing, these panels may not even be 8ft long. I might end up having to just build a panel using new 2x4's and the salvaged pickets from these panels. Either way, we're very close to fully covering the span of the east fence line. I also have to finish removing the wood rack in its entirety so once the west fence panels are removed, this eyesore will not be present to be viewed from the main driveway. At that point there won't be much left in the old backyard area to be addressed before we can fully write off the area as being open and given back to nature once again.
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May 2023
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