My Friday Smiles 2025 # Week 37

I was sad to see that Annie is no longer hosting her Friday Smiles but I shall continue to write my weekly 'diary' blog and hope we can still be found by one another.

I haven't done anything very significant this week but Sunday was sunny so Chris and I did manage some gentle gardening at the front of the house. Chris dug out several baby trees, self seeded by birds and wind from the park I expect. He also removed a dead shrub that was taking up a lot of space. Meanwhile I cut back the cotoneaster on the housewall to reveal the three planters hidden under it. I dug them out and filled them with new compost and planted some winter flowering pansies and tete-a-tete daffodil bulbs.

It already looks a lot better. We still have to remove the bush by the front wall which is deseased, and in the spaces we will be planting some roses. I am told November is the time to do this, and a big rose nursery near here, delivers ordered bare root plants at the end of October, so we don't have to wait too long.

This little chap hopped about between us all morning. He was so tame and he enjoyed a good Sunday lunch from all the worms and bugs we dug up.

We have been entertained all week by some tree surgeons who have worked their way across the back of the park pruning the trees. Last week I shared the one they cut right down, and the next day they came with a grinder and ground the stump down to ground level. But all day Tuesday and Wednesday they worked on the very big tree immediately opposite our house. I sat and watched them for hours! One man climbed the tree and roped himself on. Then he used his chain saw to cut branches down. He tied each of the larger ones to a rope so that he could lower it to the ground safely. Then he adjusted his own tether and swung across empty spaces to the next branch needing attention. I am filled with respect for his climbing ability, care and knowledge.

Three men on the ground continuously gathered up the debris and after sawing up any large useable logs, they fed the huge chipper which made short work of the rest. It all seemed a bit drastic at the time, but the main man had a good eye for what he was doing and the final result is a neat, well shaped tree. It lets more of the autumn sun into our front room, and has opened up our view across the park.

This afternoon I have been pinning out some of the squares for my jacket onto my blocking boards. In the morning I will steam them and leave them to dry and then I have about two more lots to do. The squares are all finished but they need to be blocked before I join them to make sure they are all the right size. Then it will be easier to work them together following a layout plan in the pattern.

And that is all I have time for tonight, as I need to go and prepare our tea. I had a quick look at how to install a Linky on here for everyone to use, but it was too complicated for me right now, but please continue to drop by at the end of each week, and I will visit you too whenever I can.