Our new neighbours are working hard to sort out their new house and gardens. Fair to say they were not expecting to have to work quite so hard.
Several weeks before the old neighbours left a huge limb fell from this pine tree during high winds and heavy rain, making the rest of the tree unstable. We would have been quite happy to help the old neighbours to make it safe and tidy things, but it was left as it was for the new people*.
*For blogging purposes, I'll call them Mr & Mrs ND (Next Door)
It was a three man job. One to watch for traffic along the lane (just a few yards beyond the tree) one on the chainsaw, one using the tirfor winch.
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| Gratuitous photo of Benedict - just because I can and because I miss him.x |
The enormous size of the tree, and the proximity of the road, meant the only safe place to drop it was Benedict's paddock. He is still away on his winter holiday, and doing well, according to Oscar's daughter-in-law. Oscar is having some nursing care at the moment, he is still an amazing and wonderful man and likes to know all the village news.
I took the opportunity to have a look into Oscar's rickety old barn, hoping to see the Barn Owl who sometimes perches in there. No luck.
I had to go into Benedict's old stable, just because I could.
I stood there savouring the smell of hay and horse. Sweet, sweet smells and sweet memories of Benedict.
Caught in my memories, I turned just in time to see the owl, as he flew out through that door. He was less than a foot away from me, pale and silent, incredibly beautiful. I guess he has decided that since Benedict is not using the place...
Meanwhile, the chainsaw had been used to cut out a wedge of tree, the tirfor winch was under tension and the tree was creaking.........timberrrrrrrrrr!
More work for the new neighbours, but at least the tree is safely down and won't be falling on the road.
Incidentally, we now have an immigrant living next door.
Mr ND is English but his wife is Scottish. You can imagine her surprise when she went to register for some local services and she was told her application would be the same one used by an immigrant to the country. She has a great sense of humour and saw the funny side.
Tonight is quiz night at the village pub. We are supposed to be going up there with Mr & Mrs ND. Not sure that Max and I will supply any intelligent answers, but it should be a bit of fun.
Mind you, the quiz doesn't start until after 9pm. We're normally both thinking about our bedtime cocoa and pj's by that time.....zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
fliss&max
x
Glad you managed to get the tree down safe. Benedict look so beautiful hope its not long until hes home with you again. Sounds like you have nice neighbours I now what you mean about going out at 9pm at night im usually tucked up on the sofa under my blanket by then I am sure the quiz will be fun though :-) dee x
ReplyDeleteHi Delia, The moonlit walk home was beautiful and the pub quiz was fun. Getting to bed at almost midnight and then up before 6am was a little less wonderful, still it is good to get out of our comfortable little rut sometimes. Sofa and blanket sounds pretty good to me, especially with the addition of a mug of hot chocolate.
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