You’d think looking at this picture that there is a spot light behind the barn. It was in fact the setting sun catching the forestry. It was the sunlight catching the chimney that caught my eye forcing me to stop on my commuter dash to take a picture to share and stop for a moment to enjoy.
It is to be honest the only good view today. It’s been murky and rainy all day otherwise.
Despite the rotten weather the landscapers turned up bright and early with their cheery smiles and willingness to tackle the current projects. They are braver than me. There was a southerly blowing bringing a biting wind and rain lashing down. Still I could sit inside and admire their determination to work, whatever the weather.
There’s been good progress on the steps down to the chicken run and washing line. It’s fair to say that the incline was a bit deceptive and what was supposed to be a few long steps has turned into more of a dramatic staircase. Getting down to the flat level was rather more of a stretch than we thought.
As well as constructing the steps they’ve dug the holes for constructing a new raised bed by the barn. This is going to wrap around the facing wall to the side door with trellis so we can grow something, probably wisteria, to soften the barn and allow us to soften the harshness of the barn area.
Here’s a quick picture summary of what’s been going on. Don’t you just love these photo mosaics, I think they are so cute and make it so much easier to post lots of pictures.
Top left: view from one of our bedroom windows         Top right: Landscapers at work in rotten weather
Bottom left: the stairs emphasising the incline           Bottom right: site of the new raised bed by barn.
Away from all the construction it’s been a really sad day nature wise.
I think I’ve mention before that we have a breeding pair of ducks on our lane. They tend to spend their time in the field of our neighbours but have recently been visiting us in the top paddock. They are noisy blighters but it’s so quaint to watch them together.
Well that’s to be no more. I found today the female was lying in our paddock. I’ve no idea what happened. She didn’t look injured just flat out and no longer alive. Apart from having to clear her away the worst thing has been watching her mate wandering around the body and crying out. It got worse when he came back looking for her but I’d removed her to stop the dogs getting her. It was so sad. I wish I knew what had happened to her but I guess I’ll never know.
That is strange about the poor little duck. Perhaps she got blown off course and hit something. It sounds as if you’re having the same weather as us ; wild, wet and windy.
I’m glad you put the step construction in as I need to make 3 concrete steps up to my stone garden and will copy their method.
Hi Ruta, it’s the strangest thing but you’ve got me thinking though. The winds have been so strong lately I wonder whether she just got blown off course or into the ground or something. The male keeps coming back and his cries are painful to listen to. such is life I guess. JT
Your ‘garden’ is going to look amazing! What an even more wonderful home you are going to have.
Poor ducky, we passed a dead cat laid out all wide eyed on the side of the road tonight, I moved him to the grass but he had been there a few days. SO sad.
xx
Excuse me for saying so Marrisa but moving a dead cat, you’re a braver woman than me. The only thing I ever want to go and shift from the road is pukekos. They are so stupid they are constantly being killed and somehow my heart just reaches out to want to give them some final dignity. Also, a dead pukeko brings more pukekos onto the road to mourn and then what do you get? Yes,more dead pukekos.