All change

These pine trees overlooking our paddock have been our neighbours for years.  Yesterday a bod turned up to reduce them to firewood and woodchips.

He was obviously a very skilled tree surgeon and had no fear of heights.  He cut the branches off as he climbed (he was well attached by ropes to the tree.)  His chainsaw dangled, purring, from his waist as he manouvred, ready to be picked up and used again.  The branches were dropped to his man on the ground, who fed them straight into the chipping machine.

Up the tallest of the trees (two smaller ones had already come down).  He would lower himself ten feet or so at a time down the tree, and slice through the trunk, which had a rope attached held by the guy on the ground.  As he cut right through, the chap on the ground would pull it out of the way (and hopefully not onto his head!)



A close-up of the procedure.  Level with his left should is the starter cut he had made with the chainsaw.

After - a different skyline.  Fortunately there are still two pine trees left which we can use as a weather gauge for how blowy it is out there.

We had friends round for tea and cake and a good chat yesterday.  Most of this home made (bread, Apple gingerbread cake, Sugar Biscuits and some more Dark Raspberry Chocolate and Cranberry Bisuits.  It was lovely to catch up on their news.

We discussed areas we were consider moving too, and the dearth of interesting properties on the market at the moment, especially in Herefordshire.  I hope this will improve a good deal come March, when the market traditionally kicks off again.  They asked what we would do if we got a buyer but couldn't find anywhere.  This is our last move, and the property HAS to be right for us.  We would rent somewhere and put our stuff into storage - although putting the cats in a cattery isn't ideal whilst we did that - but at least then we could look at leisure and be in a very strong position when buying.

The bias binding for the hexy runner arrived yesterday so I spent a good while yesterday evening pinning it in place.  I'm now tacking it whenever I am sat down long enough.

We have a house viewing this weekend, so have been busy tidying up inside and out.  I went to Matalan for scented candles - £3 each -  I was not prepared to pay £18.99 for a Yankee candle!  Whilst in Matalan I saw this duvet set - SO pretty, and I couldn't resist it.  I had been looking for a new one for a while now and this was just perfect.

I hope I can sleep tonight - I have had two VERY bad night's sleep and feel quite desperate.  I was still awake at 2 a.m. last night.  My mind was just going round and round about all sorts of worries and lists, and a rather petty comment from someone I had considered a friend - it was the last thing I needed on top of other worries.  Time to move on I think. . . . all change.