Granddad Rob Designs Ltd

17/06/2026

One of my strengths is knowing what I don't know, and not ‘waffling’ in a cynical attempt to secure a sale.

A customer has just emailed me asking for help. As I have repeatedly said, I am not a tortoise keeper, so I am reluctant to advise. (Chickens, ducks, geese and doves are my forte.)
Just about every tortoise-related product, and the subsequent upgrades we offer, was originally conceived and developed by actual tortoise keepers and continues to be shaped by their experience.
Can anybody help this person, please? Thank you.

The email reads: ….. "I have stumbled across your website in my search for outdoor housing for a Sulcata tortoise (AKA African Spurred Tortoise) and wondered whether you might be in a position to help. He arrived in December 2022 as an abandoned juvenile and is now four years old. I understand that an adult Sulcata requires an insulated enclosure made of plywood, measuring approximately 10ft x 10ft and connected to an electrical supply. However, I am struggling to determine what would be appropriate.
Any assistance you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

16/06/2026

As many of you will appreciate, over the years I’ve made all sorts of crazy stuff—some by request, and others simply because I had a bright idea and felt compelled to prototype my latest brainwave. A few became ‘runners’; most, however, never made it beyond the experimental stage. My wife, Cindy, would get a bit humpy, being of the opinion that, for the most part, all I did was play the fool.

I’ve just come across these photos of the Chicken Cote. The house could be raised and lowered by means of a hand winch, and I doubt even the most self-respecting fox could have managed the 2½-metre ramp!

It was an interesting idea, but a little impractical, so it never really blossomed.

15/06/2026

I am often asked for advice on the best way to keep a floating duck house in position on a pond. (It might just be my weird mind, but don’t all ducks float?)

Tethering is usually the simplest solution, and it is certainly the cheapest. However, there will inevitably be some slack in the tethers, allowing the house to roam. Personally, I feel that around 25–30 metres is about the maximum pond width for effective tethering.

Anchoring, on the other hand, is suitable for ponds of any size. To determine the correct chain length, first measure the depth of the water where you intend to position the house. Then add extra length to allow for seasonal rises and falls in water level, plus an additional metre for good measure.

Using multiple anchors will further restrict the house’s movement. On our website, Granddad Rob Designs, we recommend the number of anchors suitable for each floating duck house.

Strange Thought
Having written above “floating duck house” above, what has just occured to me is that a house that floats for ducks, or a house for floating ducks? But surely all ducks float.
Sometimes even I worry about me.

12/06/2026

A potenial custmer asked if we could make him a “suitable enclosure” for an African Spurred Tortoise, who he described as being a “big boy”.

As I’ve always said, I am not a tortoise keeper, so I rely on those who are to advise me. I did find out, however, that a mature male African Spurred Tortoise can reach 76 cm in length and weigh up to 90 kg (that’s a pit pony!).

Using Photoshop, I conjured up these pictures. ( don't look too closely ) If any readers can offer advice, I’m all ears.

BTW, I do intend to add “big boy” products to our steadily growing repertoire.

10/06/2026

A customer recently asked if I could design and build him a bespoke ornamental floating duck house. I said ‘yes’. Then he said ‘yes’,. . . . it’s on the bench next week.

If you want to asked ‘if I could’, then for the most part it’s going to be a ‘yes’.

02/06/2026

ON THE DRAWING BOARD TODAY
I learnt the hard way not to assume to know what customer requires on the strength of a phone call or email. Before I quote, I ask for a rough sketch ( no matter how rough) showing the dimensions and the features required. I then CAD draw the build to scale and bounced it back for an OK or a revision. This happens as many times as is required to ensure that what I quote for and hopefully get to build, is what the customers actually wants, and not something I had wrongly assumed they wanted.
Obviously, some quotes are won and some are lost. Regardless of the outcome, the catalyst for a good number of our products, would have been an email or phone call, that began ‘could you quote to build me a bespoke . . . . .

10/03/2026

Rummaging through the archives.
Cindy and I, about 40 years ‘posing’ for a brochure picture.
Back then we thought this twenty nest dovecote was big as was sensible, and we would never make a bigger cote. Never say never, we can now make a forty-nine nest, and I still don’t do ‘sensible’.

26/12/2025

Due to clerical error on my part, this is a bit late. However the sentiment remains the same .. Happy Christmas one and ALL ..

I was once asked, if we could build a Father Christmas cabin, for a Christmas Grotto. We could, so we did..
Cindy and I went down the pub* yesterday for our Christmas dinner. When, being egged on by her mum a charming little girl stood watching me, she was convinced I was the real deal . I whispered to her not to tell anybody else, because she was the only one there who recognised me. The ‘make believe’ was sealed because I knew her name and remembered her cats. Her slightly more forward bother joined us, and put in an order for next year, he wants a Robot, I have made a note !

*The White Horse out at Billsington, our favourite watering hole. Where we were treated to a truly scrumptious Christmas Dinner.

12/12/2025