Tales from Medlar Cottage: The Kindness of Others

The swifts arrived today, and did a whirlwind inspection of my property to see where they could make their homes. They mustn't have found anywhere because they sped off as quickly as they came. I do love them, but their non-stop motion makes me feel edgy, jittery. If they would just land for a moment, take a breath, chill. I've been pretty speedy myself today, finishing off the job of cutting back the hedge along the drive, but unlike the swifts I do make sure to take lots of rests. As usual I forgot to take the 'before' picture so the 'after' is a bit irrelevant. Suffice it to say that there was an awful lot of greenery and now there's a heck of a lot more drive. I've deposited most of the cuttings in the field, a handy receptacle. I can only reach up the hedge so far, so the top won't get done until the farmer comes along in the autumn. But, as a Suffolk friend used to say, this isn't Surrey.

Smart hedge and garage

An awful lot of rubbish in the field

As I sliced my electric hedge-cutter up and down I twice inhaled an insect, first into my windpipe and then later into my esophagus. Both times I thought I was going to die as I couldn't breathe. I've shaken so much pollen off the hedge that I've sneezed more in two days than I have in my whole life. If that's what hay fever is like, you have my sympathy.

Handyman Joe has finished my garage now and gone on his way. I've no doubt he'll be back to do the soffits one of these days, but they can wait. The garage took a long time because the wrong paint was used last time, an acrylic thing that left a shiny coating rather than soaking into the wood. I can't think why I bought it, and it all had to be sanded off. What a waste of time and money. It's looking good again now, and I'll top it up myself when it fades. As I said goodbye to him Hugo and I went off to vote. We stopped to chat to three lots of villagers on the way there and back, and that's what I like about rural living: you're not on top of each other but you're there. David is having his hip replaced next week, and since he lives alone I've offered to do any chores he needs, like shopping. He looked a bit reluctant, so I told him I'd expect no less from him when it's my turn, and he beamed at me. We had another encounter too, and that was with the horrendous smell from the chicken factory that is worse than I've ever experienced it. Thank heavens it doesn't come anywhere near me or I'd have to move. It's reminded me that I've heard nothing about the operators' plan to replace the sheds with housing, so I'll have to chase that. As I've said before, the factory has to go. Bring it on!