Hello Readers!
I just know that all of you will be delighted that it is my (Layla’s) turn again to wield the pen and bring you news of what has been happening at Hazels.
Freddie has been utterly insufferable in the last few weeks, boasting about his bulging mailbags. I really must take issue with those of you have been encouraging him to have ideas above his station, especially Puttenham Pal “Well done Freddie. You had the exciting task of giving good news!” and Guildford Girl “Well Freddie, what a star you are!”
Mind you, the latter did somewhat redeem herself by adding “It’s amazing how the three of you have taken over the entire Blog so brilliantly (How DID that happen? – Ed), leaving your Master and Mistress somewhat obsolete. I have yet to see either of them perusing the paperwork in such a relaxed fashion so clearly it’s your influences that are keeping the whole project on schedule. Who needs owners?”
I also confess to being somewhat sceptical about the ‘so called’ humour of Compton Couple “Wow Freddie! What a marvellous follow up to your siblings’ blogs. We LOVE your photo entitled ‘Open’ and assume that this is an enormous Cat Flap?
This is a great idea for you and the other sub editors as the entire rodent population of Hazels’ garden will be able to wander in, allowing you to lie in comfort waiting to pounce!
But, there is another photo which concerns us, namely ….
…………. a word of caution from our family’s Consultant Civil Engineer who advises that your project manager use something stronger to hold up that wall!!
Having climbed it ourselves we wholeheartedly support your request for a ‘proper staircase’ and feel that if there is not significant progress made by Mr Rod and his long suffering wife (of whom we hear very little) [funny that – Ed], then it should be reported to the highest authority.”
Thankfully, there was a flurry of other responses to the planning news imparted by Freddie at the end of June and we thank everyone for their kind messages of support, and in particular Hong Kong Buddy “Pleased to know that the last application has finally been granted and we all look forward to the final grand manor” and Surrey Found-ling “Gosh it looks so beautiful, really superb. Great news re planning permission – congratulations!”
I must admit that there is not a great deal of building work (is there ANY? – Ed) in progress, but we three felines believe the house is now looking very much ‘at home’ in its environment.
Although there is not much happening outside (other than our female owner collecting an ever-increasing volume of rubble from around the site or the other owner tending his vegetables and dreaming of being invited to join the Gardeners’ Question Time panel), a great deal has been going on inside the barn.
Mr Rod and SWhoMBO have been poring over the revised frame drawings to sign them off so that the oak can be shipped from France prior to being cut in Herefordshire. Apparently, the construction will start again in September. Later than hoped, but at least progress is being made.
‘Animal Farm’
We have been doing our best to keep down the rodent population, but I thought I would share with you this cute photo of one who was rescued and lived to run the gauntlet on another day.
Friends called Silvia should definitely look away from the next two photos – of a grass snake discovered in the compost bins.
Gardeners’ Corner
Profile of Freddie’s Friend (Sarah)
Moses and I have always known that Freddie is our special friend Sarah’s favourite. She is his most devoted admirer, but please don’t think we are jealous.
I thought I would feature Sarah in this month’s blog. She is very shy, so I am only including photos of some of the most important things in her life, such as her two white alsatians.
Sarah keeps chickens at her lovely property in Witley. She always has to keep one step ahead of the foxes, although not always successfully. Mr Rod and SWhoMBO enjoy eating their eggs, especially as they have such yellow yolks.
Sarah is very talented in many ways. Her bird boxes have proved to be very popular, with birds and humans alike.
She is also in great demand to make miniature copies of customers’ caravans and other vehicles. So, if she is not walking the dogs or baking in the kitchen then she is most likely to be found ‘creating’ in the workshop.
Battle of the Sunflowers
When we three cats heard SWhoMBO closely questioning Mr Rod (interrogating, more like – Mr Rod) about the apparent ‘gulag’ at the top of the north field, we knew this might provide us with with some much-needed and entertaining light relief from the house wrangling.
We were not wrong.
Mr Rod’s complete devotion to (and even obsession with) his sunflower ‘girls’ has left us smirking behind our paws on many an afternoon and evening. And, of course, all those special moments of their upbringing have been captured on camera – just as if they were human offspring. Mr Rod says “Never underestimate the power of the sunflower.”
What we had not bargained for was the fierce battle that broke out between Mr Rod and Sarah for supremacy in the sunflower-growing arena. Their respective mobiles have been red hot with ever more ridiculous ‘height’ assertions and unbelievable counter claims. Each new message is greeted by loud peals of laughter and determination to have the final say.
As can be observed below, whilst Sarah’s sunflowers may not be quite so abundant, it must be admitted (with perhaps a little disloyalty to Mr Rod here) that hers are the taller – at the moment……………………………………
In my view, this combative spirit is not at all dignified and has been quite exhausting in all this heat. Surely they should be discussing far more important things, such as the value of the pound sterling against the Euro………………..
Well, that’s all from me this month.
Let’s hope that Moses is able to utilise whatever few ‘cub reporter’ skills he has at his disposal at the end of August.
Another Brick in the Wall 