Velohobbit’s woodworking

Right,

I'm mainly going to be using this as a vessel to get information from you clever folks, and also document my progress. I love reading other peoples threads so hopefully this gives someone else some of that!

We bought our first home in October and since then have known the garden would be something we wanted to work on. Our main reasons were nearly all with previous owners design choices but boiled down to the following work.

1. Remove existing "patio" and concrete and rock beds & replace with decking
   
2. Remove superfluous flower beds and replace with taller planters
   
3. Turf reclaimed bits of garden (and probably replace the existing grass unless advised against)
   
4. Re pave area with bins and old flower beds for space for BBQ and small shed to store garden stuff
   
   

Having had a few solid days of lovely sunshine we took to the task on Thursday and so far have removed lots of patio, one of the concrete rock things, a large conifer (wanted to keep it but it had grown into our neighbours garden an they weren't keen on it either so down it came).

We are now considering what we need to do to prepare the ground for the deck once we've cleared the rest of the space. There is currently probably 60% gravel now slabs and beds have been removed, most with liner underneath. I know the "right" answer is to dig it all up, lay new liner once deck supports are in the ground and relay new liner but if I can minimise that work then that suits me!

The other question I have for you clever folks is this: Mrs Velohobbit and I had watched this handy guide
for laying a deck ourselves. The issue I realised last night, is that we are looking to put this as close to the fence in the corner as possible. This leaves us with an issue getting at the sides to assemble the deck as per video.

Has anyone else
a) have any deck making pearls of wisdom for us
b) have any ideas on how to build said deck into a corner

Any thoughts/advice more than welcome. Pics for context and some progress.