Mels slate is a very fine-grained, red-violet clay slate that only occurs very locally. A rarity.
The garden seating area, laid by my father, is covered with this slate. Here are two photos taken in May, one in dry, sunny weather (unfortunately not often) and the second in constant rain in May.
It was not easy to find suitable garden furniture that would harmonise with this reddish soil and yet stand out from the very green surroundings. That's why I opted for a garden table in the colour black cherry (the chairs are rosemary green).
Many thanks to the company Fermob, which produces a wide range of colourful outdoor furniture.