Building a new house

Back at the plot today to do some chainsawing. Our car went in for service at Ruthin, so I followed Liz with the Land Rover and trailer and we headed to the plot to start to clear the pile of logs that has been building up since the eucalyptus and the cherries were felled to create the new entrance. The plan was for a morning's work (which with the chainsaw and the loading is enough), followed by lunch at home and an afternoon with Maddy and Grace and Toby in Penymynydd, before returning to Ruthin to collect the car. I used my rickety (need to make a new one) log holder, which when loaded means that a lot of wood-burner sized logs are produced from just 5 long chainsaw cuts. We ended up with a good number of logs which, after a little further drying in our former pigsty, should produce some seasonal warmth and good cheer. An unexpected bonus was the departure from the house opposite the plot of the Denbigh Hunt - 30 or so riders aiming to chase a scent around some of the va...

A few months ago when we met our neighbours-to-be who live opposite the plot, they gently pointed out that they were a little worried that our large lime tree had grown laterally to the point where its branches were brushing against their chimney. We promised to get something done, but warned them that, as the tree is protected by a tree preservation order, it would take some time. In the event, the process has been smooth but slow. In early August, we asked Proarb, one of the larger arboricultural firms in the area, to come and examine the tree, make their recommendations, and quote for the advised work. Their surveyor, Rob, came out to the site and suggested that a minor crown reduction to provide 3m of free space would suffice. He reckoned that the tree is 150 years old and that it will live for another 200. He counselled against any further work on the basis that every cut provides a possible route into the tree for infection. A couple of days later we had their written quotation...