So yeah, real quick story about that stupid volleyball net. Got out to the court last Tuesday after winter totally wrecked things, ready to just chuck the ball around, you know? Took one look and nearly busted a gut laughing. Or maybe crying. The whole dang net was hanging lower on one side than a busted fence. Support pole looked like it tried to run away. Absolutely useless.

Got My Hands Dirty (Literally)

Right, figured that pine pole from last year was toast. Soft junk. Heard larch timber’s tough stuff, handles weather like a champ. Hit up the local yard, found a decent length. Wasn’t exactly cheap, but cheaper than buying a whole new setup, right?

Tools? Basic junk from my shed:

• The crusty old handsaw (almost killed me later, honestly)
• A spade I use for everything, even things I shouldn’t
• Big bag of gravel mix (the cheap bulk stuff)
• Some heavy-duty outdoor screws
• Work gloves that tore halfway through (of course)

The Actual Sweat Fest

First step: digging out the old pole. Dug around it like a maniac with the spade. Thing was buried deeper than my motivation on a Monday. Finally got it loose, wiggled it out. Hole looked like a crater. Tossed in maybe two, three inches of that gravel mix at the bottom. Good drainage, they say.

Measured the new larch pole against the good side’s height. Marked a rough line on the timber with a scrap of brick. Grabbed the handsaw. Holy smokes, cutting through larch felt like trying to chew concrete. Arms were screaming after five minutes. Took forever. Fit it in the hole. Stood back. Not level. Pulled it out, hacked off another inch. Still not right. Cursed. Got it pretty close on the third try. Packed gravel mix super tight around the base, stomping it down like I hated the ground itself.

Now for the real nightmare. The net hooks. Lined up the new pole with the existing one. Tried holding the net cord against it with one hand while eyeballing where the hook should go. Impossible. Dropped everything twice. Finally wedged the cord into place with my forehead (don’t judge) and marked the spot with a screw point. Predrilled a pilot hole – larch is rock solid, didn’t want the screw head snapping off. Screwed the first hook in tight. Did the same for the lower hook, measuring down roughly from the top one. Stringing the net cord onto the hooks felt like threading a needle blindfolded. Snagged the cord, snapped it back, almost took my eye out. Got it eventually.

That Sweaty Victory Moment

Stepped back, wiped sawdust and probably blood off my face. Gave the new larch pole a solid kick. Didn’t budge. Didn’t creak. Pulled on the net. Felt tight. Proper tight! No weird sag on that side anymore. Looks rough where I cut it? Sure. Is it dead straight? Eh, pretty close. But the net stays up. That’s the win.

Took less than a full afternoon, cost me way less than a case of decent beer, and that stupid larch pole isn’t bending anytime soon. Plus, my neighbors think I’m crazy. Win-win. Would I do it again? Probably. But I might rent a power saw first.