May 2019 – Tick Tock!

Hello, it’s Moses here!

My turn this month to prove my worth as sub-editor of this blog. As you may have gathered already, I am a fairly laidback kind of guy and you won’t find my prose littered with lots of fancy word nonsense.

I never thought I would be forced to say this, but my sister Layla does has proved herself to be a tour de force in the journalistic arena. Her April effort generated so much response from our readers. Surprisingly, the vast majority of the postbag consisted of comments about that darned fireplace! The snippets below are but just two examples:

“Well done Layla, great guest editorial! Not to be controversial, but that fireplace is lovely………!” Fernhurst Filly

“Dear Layla, you certainly have your Master and Mistress under control and I think you should decide where the fireplace goes. Just make sure that it’s in a draught free spot.” Guildford Girl

Planning Application

Now, I am sure that you were expecting news about the planning application? Well, please join an ever-restless crew.

I have concluded that it must be something to do with the large number of Bank Holidays in recent weeks, meaning that those concerned are ‘away from their desks’ for the longest of long times. Anyway, the unintended consequence is that Mr Rod and SWhoMBO are still awaiting confirmation from the Planning Authority.  Many apologies that I cannot give you a positive update but we three are rooting for them anyway.

We have done our best to cheer up our intrepid duo but, much to our surprise, a recent carefully selected (although admittedly not beautifully gift-wrapped) present was received neither gratefully nor graciously by them.

So you could say that the clock is ticking away …………………………………………..

Scaffold Dismantle

Despite this minor setback, there has been much activity behind the scenes.

We felines had become fairly accustomed to the forest of poles and planks surrounding the new construction.

So, we were most interested and excited when the scaffolders arrived back on site at the beginning of May to dismantle the lot. (According to all accounts, they will be back later in the year.)

 

 

 

The New Hazels Emerges

Bizarrely, we then became aware of an optical illusion in full swing. (Layla says I should not try to be too clever with my metaphors as it does not read well, but I say that editorial possession is nine tenths of publishing law!)

The house actually seems bigger now that the scaffolding is down! How can that be?

It is great fun to observe ‘the New Hazels’ from all sides.

 

 

 

 

Mr Rod and SWhoMBO

You might wonder what Mr Rod has being doing to fill the hours when he is not working at CityStore, spinning, driving the tractor or partaking of wine or gin and tonic?

Well, most evenings and weekends he can be found in his beloved vegetable garden and greenhouse.

Garden supervisor Carol occasionally has to remind him to be more diligent with the watering, but he is gradually getting the hang of things. (I think he has delusions of competing with Monty Don – no chance!)

 

In the meantime, SWhoMBO has demonstrated that she knows her place by concentrating on trying to win the ‘Tidiest building site’ award. Neither she nor we can believe the amount of brick and stone that is scattered around.

 

 

Bonners Barn

One evening recently I spotted Freddie walking purposefully down the driveway towards Bonners and my curiosity was piqued.

He told me that there was compelling evidence that the Bonners Party Barn was being used in anger for the first time. So, we continued our journey together down the drive in companionable silence.

 

He was absolutely right – there were indeed the delightful sounds of laughter, chat and music, plus much clinking of  glasses.

We had a sneak look inside and were very impressed with what we could see of the restoration, and particularly with the quality of the workmanship.

Our only disappointment was that we were not included on the guest list.

Profile of Dennis

Apparently, Dennis the gardener came with the house. Come rain or sunshine, he turns up at Hazels without fail every Tuesday afternoon. Where would they be without him?

He seems to be able turn his hand to most things, although he did scratch his head in bemusement when Mr Rod asked him to construct the (enormous) compost bins from some Sketch-Up drawings. (We would agree that these are the most over-engineered examples you could ever imagine!)

Dennis was born locally and what he does not know about our provincial neighbourhood is really not worth talking about. He has a fund of entertaining stories and seems to know about (or at the very least, of) just about everyone.

The 2nd law of gardening is “If it doesn’t move, strim it!”

Notwithstanding (2009) is a collection of short stories by Louis De Bernières, revolving around a fictional English village and its eccentric inhabitants.  Based on the village where De Bernières grew up, (Wormley, Surrey), it is rich in local detail, containing references to the nearby villages and towns of Hambledon, Chiddingfold, Godalming and Haslemere, as well as to Waitrose, the Merry Harriers pub and the “suicidal driving” of the nuns at St Dominic’s School.

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that Dennis can identify most of the (thinly disguised) characters featured in the book.

What Happens Next Month?

The doors and opening windows will be installed in w/b Monday 3 June.

Serious discussions will ensue with regard to lighting design – I cannot wait for the fur to fly in the barn about that one!

Finally – with luck, a fair wind, and every digit crossed, the planning application result should be in soon ……………………..  by any chance did I spot an omnivorous domesticated hoofed mammal (with sparse bristly hair and a flat snout for rooting in the soil) flying over there in the distance?