New gates keep dogs in and strangers out

Now into September, we set about making some improvements to our ‘defences’.

The entrance gates to the yard have been hanging since the day we moved in (two old and rusty pipe gates, very quickly attached to the walls in order to keep the dogs safe), and were never entirely suitable for the purpose.

The biggest problems were that, not only could the dogs put their heads right through the bars when strangers approached, but familiar visitors could and did open them when the dogs were out and about.

After one particular incident, we decided enough was enough. Armed with some reclaimed timber, used gate ‘furniture’, and an in-law, we made two five bar gates to fill the gap. One was 11′ long, and the other, a pedestrian gate, 3′ long.

We covered the front of the gate with windproofing mesh (to keep dogs in and people out), and used a selection of gate bolts to secure them together.

Perfectly level with each other (a feat of luck more than skill), they are much more secure. They don’t open in strong winds like the old ones either. Fantastic!