Patio excavation - Drainage problems in excavated area

[Land Girl]

Hi
I have recently started a patio for a friend at the bottom of her garden beyond the lawn ( which slopes gently towards the patio area). I have excavated the area (approx 6.5 m2) and am preparing to put down the subbase (MOT grade 1 @100mm) however with the recent rain 2 issues have come to light.
1. The area is pretty wet (not exactly boggy) but I am having difficulty compacting it which I have been attempting to do by hand. Some areas are worse than others, particularly the far left hand corner which is bordered by fences.
2. The lawn area in front of the intended patio is quite wet so I had intended to adjust the run of the patio towards the border as there is a shed on the other side.
I am concernd that the state of the excavated area may not be due to the rain but to a drainage problem given the position of the patio at the end of the garden and after the lawn or perhaps I need to think about using othe equipment to compact.
The slabs are reconstituted stone and will be laid on a concrete bed (just in case you were wondering)!
Any ideas

[Tony McC]

How's it looking now after a few ddry days??

[Land Girl]

Better now thanks for asking.
But still undecide as to whether to postiton gradient towards flower bed or lawn (which is now also dry - perhaps that answers my question?)
cheers Tony
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