Making Shade While the Sun Shines

This was one of the first home projects that we completed here in Alice Springs. Ken's ingenuity came in handy; since we are not supposed to modify or damage the property, he designed and hung this large roll-up shade cloth without drilling any holes in the existing patio structure. It makes our patio a much more useable area.

My small part, besides playing photographer, was to sew the two long pockets in which the boards that give it structure are inserted.

Here's a few shots of the work in progress; in case you haven't figured it out by now, this man is my favorite subject!

Check out this technique:


With a smile!








Hey - using two tools at once! -- this is one very handy man.

And also using two "ladders" at once...




The shade cloth used in this project blocks 90% of the sun's rays and cost about $40+ AU per meter. The whole project including the pulleys, rope, and lumber cost around $100 AU. Well worth it when the mercury is regularly above 100 degrees Fahrenheit!