Lord of the Trees

Whew - what a day. Did not sleep at all last night, must have been that unexpected e-mail initiated by M that, although it gave me the outcome I want, made me feel odd all over. Strange reaction. It's the stark b & w rejection, I think.

But, despite sleep deprivation, I had to be up early as there was an appointment for an inspection of the loft insulation between 8 and 8.30. Of course no-one came till well after 9 but an early start (for me) meant being able to take action after receiving a very welcome text. My niece was in touch to say she was paying an unexpected visit to Edinburgh and had just bought yummy chocolate croissants for breakfast. On a day off from her job as a medical reg in Newcastle, she was accompanying her partner who was at Surgeons Hall to sit his MRCS Part B exam. Hope he passed.

The place went like a fair when she was here. Outside, the scaffolders arrived to carry on erecting the front scaffolding, much banging and clattering. They are up to my level now. It will be so odd to have men walking to and fro outside my 3rd floor living room.

Then came the tree surgeons, 4 of them and a chipper (a machine that chips wood, not as in NE Scotland, a fish and chip shop), to fell the ash tree. Much banging and clattering and sawing and chipping.

Then the builder arrived at the door, to take photos of the ceiling for the 'delapidation survey', except his SD card was full, so not much joy there. Finally, for this morning, the insulation man who confirmed I can get the Council deal on an additional 200mm. A date is set for the end of next month. I have to clear the area of stuff that is up there that isn't even mine. I'm really hoping the neighbours will come through and give me a hand.

The day was better than forecast, in fact quite mild and sunny at times, so I adjourned to the back green to do some autumnal tidying up and to record the progress of the tree felling. It was amazing to watch the team at work. One of the tree, one operating the ropes, one sawing up the wood and one outside, chipping.

Everything was going so well, the sun was shining there was only one branch left of the crown to come down and the lunch break was in the offing. Then, just after I blipped this, and as the last branch fell, John caught part of his hand in the pulley and spent the rest of the day at A & E waiting for a plastic surgeon. I hope he will be ok.

The accident slowed things down but although the work isn't finished the tree is felled and the difference to my kitchen is amazing. So much more light and once the scaffolding is away, a view of the backgreen. I am a happy bunny.

And then two more visitors this afternoon. #2 son came to borrow my old handset, his HTC having taken umbrage at the hot sun at La G at the week-end and T to talk logistics. More plans were confirmed and more dates agreed.

One 'person' who hasn't been seen here today is Molly. She's still at #64, partly because #2 son has been busy (!) and today because she hid under the bed as soon as there was any mention of the cat carrier. Tomorrow!

So a busy day, not all to plan, but a day of progress nevertheless.

Now I'm off to sing and then I believe we're going to the pub as it's C's last night. Sounds like a good plan.