Estate Management

I asked Matthew about the self-seeded trees in the lower field.

He said the brambles will move in on them and create a thicket which'll stick at being a thicket for twenty years before it graduates to being a wood. And that'll be wonderful for the wildlife. Alternatively we can spend a lot of money getting Mr X to come in with his industrial mower and lay everything waste.

"Have it jest as you've a mind to, but..." It was fairly clear which course he was recommending.

And really I'm of that mind too.

Talking about brambles, I was picking blackberries yesterday.

Home Improvements

The new boiler has been installed. Two and a half days it took. The work was considerably less invasive than I feared. My mother spent much of the time in the living room- away from the action. What she doesn't see doesn't fret her.

I've took the opportunity of all the disruption to do a little stock-taking. Remember the kitchen chairs that kept breaking and having to go to be repaired? They are now ash.

The next big job is to get the roof re-tiled. I don't think we'll attempt that until next year.