Linda, The man is already working on a neighbours job, but it doesn't seem that he will be coming here very soon and tomorrow is going to be too wet and windy !!Another neighbour has just rung to tell me that she can't come to indoor bowls this afternoon, ( I was going to take her and introduce her ) as her washing machine has been leaking. It is upstairs in a bathroom. (?). She didn't notice until she found the landing carpet was wet and the dining room ceiling, immediately below, is very wet. She is waiting for an emergency plumber.Walls don't come cheap. I hope you get a reasonable quote, eventually. Tradesmen don't seem to need our smaller jobs these days.
PS Linda, If you are able, collect some acorns and leave them for the Jay. It will come down for them. I collect the acorns, so that I can feed the Jays during the winter. They will come down for nuts if it is quiet. Trouble is that the nuts encourage the squirrels :-(( Far too many around here.
Just had to sign in again..... grrr.
Brenda, thanks for the acorn advice - I didnt know that. We don't really have squirrels here, have only seen one in all the 11 years in this house. We only want a very low wall, and its only about... ummn.... 20 feet? not sure. However, we are aware that it will need foundations and it won't be cheap. Trouble is, our existing cotoneaster hedge is actually wider than I am tall, now. Its so old, we think it may be as old as the house which is 1940/50's, and although the birds love the berries, its a real pain to cut and grows like mad. We can't cut it down to much smaller as it will be just dead wood, so it really needs to come out. Guess who thinks he can just dig down and rip it out all in one day?!! At present, I'm trying to keep my work mad OH busy with tiny bits of paint jobs around the house, just to stop him doing too much.
I've been doing all those things that you put off because you didn't have the time: mended my slippers (suede with stitching: they were coming apart!) sorted out some papers, dusted the artificial flowers...... took a favourite picture out of the frame because there were some tiny bugs trapped under the glass: it was a fiddle, and some sweary words, but actually it didnt take long and its embarrassing to think that I put it off for ages ;-))
Here is another photo to cheer everyone up, and especially Margo:
OG: Meant to say this morning, glad that you're feeling (& looking) so much better. Don't do too much, take it easy. Hope you enjoy the outing to the big shopping centre. Wonder how much more bad news your poor daughter is going to have to endure: do hope that the storms forecast don't make things any worse.
Rita: Was it you who was making lots of marmalade?? My OH adores marmalade and its only the thought of the calories that stops him from eating too much of it, and keeping it as a treat. We have occasionally made our own but were forced to give some away as I said "but we'll only eat it!!"
Love the adorable elephants, Lindy! I bet that's put a big smile on Margo's face. It has on mine as well.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
LINDY What a truely heart warming pic.
Aaaaaah Linda. Mummy with her baby effalant. Beautiful.
Lovely picture, LINDA!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
J just arrived home. OH and I are packed for tomorrow.
Spoke to Daughter#2 today - she was off work with a rash and feeling "icky". She will be present tomorrow when drying company come to probe her house walls and make a report which will determine whether work can start! So if tonight's storm affects anything, they will be there to see it!