I wheeled my wheel barrow...

.......many many times from the garden to the skip.

My builder friend said for a patio base, 4" of compacted stone is required with 4" of coarse sand on top. It seems a bit 'over the top' to me, we're only going to put a table and chairs on it. However i took his advice and dug out 16 sq meters a spade deep and filled a large skip. I'm sure my arms have stretched, i think i could touch the floor without bending my knees! I will sleep tonight!