Sloping gardens

As an aside, we put wooden decking down on our outside sitting area havng experienced the unbearable radiating heat from stone or tiled terraces down here, The wood is much nicer on the feet when the temperature heads towards 40. 

Ah, that sounds a valid consideration in the heat! I think I'm actually not that fond of terraces made from any material, though maybe I'd feel differently if I were expecting to be doing more socialising at home. I do need something vaguely level to put my lawn chair on though