This trip’s highlight came at the end of the long weekend on the way home. Whilst passing through Inglewood we were stopped by the local police for a random breath test. After winding down the drivers window so I could “blow in the bag”, Skylar’s head suddenly appeared and a battle ensued to see who the first to wrap their lips around the device’s “straw” would be. Fortunately I won, and after a scratch on the head for Skylar and an all clear for me the policeman sent us on our way.
Rewind to Friday and we were up early’ish to pack the trailer with the outdoor setting from the spa room, which we decided would get more use at the Charlton house than at the Somerville one.
The trip up the Calder was highlighted by a detour into Toolern Vale to pick up a gate which I was planning to install at the well used Waugh Street entrance to provide easier egress to Philip and Janet’s, and particularly whilst carrying food and drink, which we more often than not do.
On arriving early on Friday afternoon we unloaded the car and trailer then I set about mowing all the grass whilst it was still dry(ish), but not before a trip to the servo for mower fuel, which I seem to go through a lot of… not surprising given we have 2/3 acre of yard. Whilst I mowed, Shirleen set about hacking out more of the overgrown front yard, until the cold started setting in and we retired to the warmth of the lounge room and glass or two of sauvignon blanc.
On Saturday morning whilst installing the gate, local contractor Randall stopped by to let me know he would call in on Monday with his backhoe to dig out the stumps from the old and ugly trees and palms we had chopped in the front yard. Half an hour later I heard a racket out the front and went to investigate, only to discover that Randall had changed his mind and decided to rip the stumps out straight away. Bonus!
The remainder of Saturday was spent loading the trailer with all the stumps, roots and other stuff Shirleen had ripped out of the garden ready to take to the tip on Sunday morning. Two more trailer loads on Sunday and the front yard was looking a lot clearer. I did another run with the mower before finishing up early as we were hosting Ken, Hazel and mum for afternoon tea. We had a lovely time with them before heading off to Ross and Peggy’s for happy hour at 5pm, which turned into happy 5 hours, eventually staggering home well after 10pm. We had a really lovely night.
Monday morning we did a little cleaning up around the house and measured up for some timber edging for the front yard and for replacement architraves and skirting, before heading off home around 11:30.
Given painting isn’t recommended in the cold Charlton winter weather, our next few trips will be dedicated to grass mowing and sawing firewood.
Maybe Skylar might test positive next trip…
Randall at work
No more ugly trees