Family album

This isn't St Lucia! It's Sefton punting on the River Cam on a works outing.

If I could remember where I left my head, I might get up!

Quote of the week

'A coincidence is a small miracle in which God chooses to remain anonymous!'

Fencey Footwork

First the ground on each side of the fence had to be cleared and a small channel dug underneath it.
Then wooden shuttering had to be put in place on both sides to hold the cement that would anchor the fence (and posts) in place.

The concrete was mixed on my drive and carried, bucketful by laborious bucketful, all the way round the garden to fill in between the shuttering.A few hours later the shuttering was removed and hey presto! Fence set in stone! This should be finished tomorrow - then we'll see if it is really dog-proof!

In the blue shirt is Martin, last seen upending a bucket of cement into the wooden mould for the gatepost, and his helper taking a tea break. On the right is Pierre whose home is a tiny wooden shack next to Catherine's bar. Rumour has it that it contains nothing but a bed. Pierre has an all consuming thirst so I guess Catherine will be profiting soon from my fence footings!

Gates Stage 2

My gates have arrived at last! As my drive is 20' wide each gate is made in two pieces and hinged in the middle. They are suprisingly light to move and I only need to open the middle two to get the car out. I didn't expect them to be quite so tall, though - they're about 7' high! All hinges and fastenings, etc. were made here and welded on. Just waiting now for Martin to finish the fence and my garden should be totally dog proof.

Sections of fine gauge mesh were then welded on to the bottom of the gates to stop Fifi and Penny getting through the holes or under the gates.

Tos cleverly found some with a diagonal, rather than square 'weave' so that they matched the design of the main part of the gates. All this was done on site!

This is Mr Tos, Fabian's dad, who made the gates.

I told him his gates and his photo were going to be on the internet and he grinned from ear to ear!

Seventh Day Adventist Crusade

The Seventh Day Adventists are holding a 6-week crusade, currently in its 3rd week, in Forestiere. They have erected a huge marquee, about the size of 3 tennis courts, at the top of our road and bring busloads of people in from the surrounding districts.

Standing room only at the back!

Most of the services happen in the evenings when it's too dark to get good pictures but this one took place yesterday morning - Saturday being, of course, their Sabbath.

More details in my next newsletter.