Glad you asked!
We’ve been following him and Carol as they expanded their small house and garden into what our family now calls “The Shaw Estate”.
And I promised you that I’d revisit them when the Coach House interior is complete. (He plans to do this in cooler weather.)
But our family has known Wayne and Carol for many years and I should have known that Wayne is always up to something.
“I came up with the idea about 3 months ago,” he says.
A neighbour bought the property next door, and made changes that affected Wayne and Carol’s use of the back of their property. Wayne decided they needed a water-feature there.
“I started looking around for the ideal rock fountain and finally found it in nearby Campbellford. I took Carol up to see it, and we decided on it that day. While there, I made an appointment with the gentleman (Jim Spencer) who builds and installs all their water features. We came up with a final layout (in our heads).”
Q: Did you make a sketch, Wayne?
A: “I did not. It was a vision/plan in my head, and when we met, he and I understood each other within minutes. No plans were drawn!”
Jim, whose property is fully landscaped, has been doing this work for 40 years. He and colleague Wayne (yes, another Wayne) arrived weeks later with backhoe and fountain boulder.
“As you can see, the 6,000 pound fountain boulder was a little too much for the small backhoe to manage! They had to bring in a heavy duty boom truck.”
This wasn’t just a fountain, however. They built a patio, a stream and three ponds and planted a cedar hedge as a backdrop.
Q: How did Carol react when she saw the finished product, Wayne?
A: “She was elated, as are all of those who have come around to see what we are up to out back!”
Jim allowed Wayne to operate the backhoe one day, but mostly, Wayne designed and supervised the project.
Q: So are you and Carol lounging about, having drinks and admiring the new water feature?
A: “No. But we do go out at least once a day and admire the work the boys did!”
That’s because Carol is busy working in the garden and Wayne is now building an office inside the main house.
Meanwhile, Jim Spencer, pleased with the collaboration, asked Wayne to assist with a future project, and he agreed.
And double-meanwhile:
“As soon as I’ve finished the office, I hope it will be cool enough to go back and complete the interior of the COACH HOUSE!!!”
Yes, and we’ll have pictures!
~~
Photos by Wayne Shaw.
Cynthia Reyes 
That Wayne! He’s a machine! I agree, that’s just not a fountain. Thanks for sharing, Cynthia. I hope you’re feeling well.
He’s amazing, Jill. He and Carol always make me smile with their new projects.
Now that was a massive boulder but the results seem to be worth it! They have a lovely place!
Can you imagine it? Six-thousand pounds?
It must be nice to be so handy. They did a beautiful job. I also like the rock garden.
Me too!
I love the house! It’s so pretty and the garden project is amazing. I tend to lose steam halfway through outdoor projects.
Me too!
Wow! How fabulous. And how I need a ‘Wayne’ around here!
I think we all do!
😀 😀
Gallivanta…we could all use a “Wayne” once in a while.
Excellent look! Anything that involves water is certainly a plus in a yard.
I agree, Becky. Good for the soul.
I love how ambitious Wayne is for home and garden projects. I’ve always liked water features and wish I had the home and budget to create one. Thanks for sharing Cynthia.
To be able to do most of these projects by oneself is wonderful. I am not capable.
Me either Cynthia. 🙂
So pleased to have this Wayne update, thank you! Looking forward to the Coach House pics. 🙂
Me too, Liz.
Wow
I can empathise with the water feature as a response to changes a neighbour makes. Your friends’ garden is much larger, of course. The rockery in the front garden looks lovely.
Ah, neighbors, they do change how we’d like to use our property. I’ve moved plants and added trees but would never even think about a project that big even if my husband was willing to help me. Applause to them and I hope they enjoy it for many years to come – beautiful end result.
Another great feature, I’ll look forward to seeing the finished coach house!
Nice!
Wow – that’s amazing. And lit up at night like that – just gorgeous. Is this kind of work – all of it – what Wayne used to do for a living before retirement? He would really be in high demand if he chose to do so.
Jeanne, I’m not sure Wayne ever retired! He’s been a building for decades, no matter what else he was doing.
I wish I had Wayne’s skills. They have done such a beautiful job on their estate.
I feel the same way, Lavinia.
That is some water feature!
Well said!
Thank you!
Wow! That’s amazing. Loved it.
Hmmmm, we have talked about a water-feature/fountain for years. This is a bit more than we shall attempt some day (keep coming up with other ways to spend the money for the pump, linter, etc.). I think I finish some bookshelves this winter… Need a place for displaced books from other rooms we have recently remodeled! – Oscar
Wow!! That is most definitely not just a water feature – it looks magical at night all lit up. Great work and can’t believe nothing is sketched down. Don’t suppose the guys would like a a quick job here in the UK?! 😀
Very impressive! If that makes them happy, so, they are in for a big gain. Great landscape.
I personally like wild gardens, but adore the interestingly and neatly arranged spaces. Lots of work, such a challenge.
I don’t know anymore how that is to have your own place. I would most likely also do a great landscaping job and design a wonderful outdoor space. I’m a very good gardener, I hope the next spring I can use my skills again, but who knows.
Your guys do not mind hard work, results are definitely there.