Well, I think it is now finally safe to say that Spring has sprung. The weather has been totally glorious and we have been very busy in the garden, which ties in nicely for celebrating the Spring equinox. No photos of the garden as yet but it is starting to look a little better, which is largely due to our next door neighbours wanting to sort out their own garden. They started their own sort out last week, with a very smart new fence along the back boundary and along the other side of their garden. Then they wanted to put a more secure fence between us to stop their Jack Russell from breaking through! They initially tried to put a small one at the foot of the existing conifer hedge but as some of you may now that conifer hedges aren't that simple!!!! When you cut out th ebottom of it, you invariably lose half of the dense greenery from the top half....so we were left with something that looked like a gorgonzola cheese!!!!
After the initial shock wore off (!), we talked it through with them and they assured me they would put up some trellis to grow some things up to ensure our privacy, that we were both used to. But they have two boys....friends with ours, and we all know how long it takes for things to grow when you are desperately waiting for them!!!
So we were kind of pushed into drastic action....we replaced the conifer hedge with a nice new close board fence...paid for by us, but put up together. It sounds so simple doesn't it!!!! But the conifers had been up for nearly 20 years and had been badly neglected, so the 12 or more trees were just that!!! The trunks were soooooo thick and they were still over 7 feet high despite us having lopped 3 feet off last autumn...it was a MAMMOTH task. Jonathan and I did a lot of the demolition with Mark from next door wielding the chain saw, and then Rob and the boys helped Mark dig the holes and set the posts in the concrete. Then he nailed on all the boarding.....job done!! 3 days from start to finish!!!
I miss the greenery of the conifer hedge but we have gained about 2 ft 6" all the way along one side of the garden and it is letting in so much more light.
All quite appropriate at this time of the year.
And this is our new arrival....
The first picture was taken travelling home this afternoon, and the second was investigating the garden when we arrived. His name is Louis (originally Ludo, but as we have a friend who calls himself that it didn't seem quite right some how!) and he is a gorgeous 5 month old working Cocker Spaniel. And worthy we think of the title of Survival Family canine companion. You all knew that I wouldn't last very long without a dog didn't you!!!
He is currently asleep on my lap having been playing in the garden with the boys before they all went to bed. He seems to be settling very well and is loved by all!
He has come from a lovely home and I think we are very lucky to have found him...and I hope, he thinks the same. Thats all for now...will update soon with some better photos!
Oh, and I hope you all had a pleasant Mothering Sunday!
2 comments:
dude - Louis is gorgeous!
Can't wait to see the new fence... will let you know how it goes on Thursday, and maybe we can arrange a "play" date for next week?
He's adorable! I love spaniels, although we have an English Setter (just as wampy as a spaniel really, just bigger and more prone to knocking over small children and any low-lying coffee cups). My SIL has a litter of Jack Russells atm and I'm so very tempted, but realistically I don't have the time to bring up another puppy now that our Setter is beginning to settle down (a bit).
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