On the right is the new brace that is now almost complete, built to hold back the section of the original retaining wall we just noticed was starting to cave forward. That should do the trick!
It also nicely offsets the stones forming the rhodie garden, bringing a nice balance to this section of the garden.
Up the centre of the new brace you can see the stones which have been strategically placed to form a stairway up to the "bird sanctuary", Ruth's feeder and the bird bath. The cardinal couple we posted earlier last month were here all morning using the facilities. (Why haven't they gone south?) The male spent the entire morning jabbering. Guess he was staking a claim to the garden.
Going up these new stone steps is fine, but it is quite steep for a down trip; but that's okay, there are four other return routes. Doesn't stop Ruffy though ... if he's after a ball he scoots down them no problem. Scruffer is the wiser old dog and, like us, takes an alternative flight down.
Hmmmm ... maybe a railing would be a good project for another day ......
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Here's a closer view of the new brace/steps: