Kissing gate or Sheep gate

January 2007 my lovely wife announced she wanted a picket fence. I put my foot down stating no! “Wooden fences have to be painted and I know who would be doing the painting.” “NO, NO, NO!” So, I promptly set about building the fence. For fun, I included some features I remembered from my time living in Wales. British citizens have what is referred to as, “the right of trespass”. This means they can walk anywhere so long as they stay on established trails. (They are also very adept and placing a pub just at the point where you begin to get a little thirsty.) Landowners have come up with very ingenious ways to prevent the animals from leaving, while allowing for access by the public. This is one of those gates. I have just finished it and it is quite unusual for West Alabama. I built the fence of green, rough sown, Southern Red oak with a pressure treated frame, let it dry through the summer, and stained it white (as directed). I still have a Shepard’s gate and an arched trellis to build and the fence will be finished. As explained to me, the idea behind this gate design is when the sheep push up against the gate as they try to get out, they block thier own way. It is also used as a garden feature or entry gate in many areas I visited. I thought it was interesting so I built one. There is only one problem at this point. Gracie, “the world’s smatest dog”, as figured out that she can open it. So I guess I’ll have to reinstall the catch to hold it closed.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."