Going in circles

Another odd thing about the house is the driveway. It’s off to the lefthand side and brings you in to the back door, the kitchen door. The front door, with its Greek columned entry porch, has no driveway access. There isn’t even a path to it. Consequently, it isn’t used at all, which is a shame.

We learned from neighbors that the driveway originally continued round from the back door to the front – which still seems odd – but that section was blocked and returned to lawn when the side porch was added by the previous owner. Besides marooning the front door, the other problem is that the drive is a dead-end and turning the car to get back out is tricky, especially if there’s more than one car.

After much discussion, and with some inspiration from friends, we decided to sort this out, by installing a new driveway that takes visitors to the front door, while keeping the existing driveway for access to the back door.

The process of installing the new driveway took a few days…

First you have to determine the center of the circle…

First you have to determine the center of the circle…

Which is easier said than done at this scale. Thankfully, these pros know their stuff.

Which is easier said than done at this scale. Thankfully, these pros know their stuff.

Look carefully and you can see the outer and inner circles. At this point it was exciting!

Look carefully and you can see the outer and inner circles. At this point it was exciting!

A few days later they came back with the equipment. This was the “oh what have we done?” moment.

A few days later they came back with the equipment. This was the “oh what have we done?” moment.

Looking from the entrance at the road into the driveway. The driveway is wide enough for a car to pass another, parked car.

Looking from the entrance at the road into the driveway. The driveway is wide enough for a car to pass another, parked car.

The edges are finished in what’s called Belgian blocks. At this point the top layer of gravel has not been added.

The edges are finished in what’s called Belgian blocks. At this point the top layer of gravel has not been added.

The “landing strip” to the front door is made of local bluestone

The “landing strip” to the front door is made of local bluestone

Ta-da! The gray gravel is traditional in the area. Eventually we’ll put something in the center. Any suggestions… a sundial, a birdbath, an obelisk, an armillary sphere… or maybe a cheeky cherub?

Ta-da! The gray gravel is traditional in the area. Eventually we’ll put something in the center. Any suggestions… a sundial, a birdbath, an obelisk, an armillary sphere… or maybe a cheeky cherub?