It was a momentous day. Dave started on the final pillar and I filled up the gap - so at last we've laid bricks the entire length of the wall. It was another beautifully hot and sunny day - just the weather we had hoped for last year and didn't get but, although we're out in full sun for two or three hours, we haven't had any problem with headaches or sunburn. Of course we slap on the sun cream and drink plenty of water.
We had cleared away all the pots and weeds and general *stuff* from both sides yesterday, so we had a clear run. We both worked kneeling down, so there were some twinges of pain, especially for Dave, whose back doesn't really like to be bent over, but at least it gets better as you build up.
Dave had dropped casually approving mention of toasted cheese the other day, so that's what we had for lunch, with bacon. The bantams loved it. Dave gave away his bacon rind and the lucky recipient grabbed it and ran, followed by two other hens. A couple of minutes later she reappeared, bacon still hanging from her beak, with one bird still chasing her, but she successfully outran her and disappeared into the bushes to eat her trophy.
This afternoon, I'm putting my feet up for a bit with the papers. I've a stern letter to write later, but suspect I'll write the vitriolic version first and then calm it down to a more measured one. More effective, usually, even if it doesn't quite relieve the feelings so much.
14 comments:
I must remember to keep a piece of bacon rind on me, to be dropped when I get fed up of being chased by birds.
I wondered why the Sage asked me the date when we'd finished work. I see the smooth pice of cement, which I spent some time getting into that state, has been engraved.
I could have put a thumb-print there too.
If you do get fed up, that is.
You examined the picture closely - yes, it's all recorded for posterity. I expect our prints will be embedded in the final brick.
I love posterity.
I feel quite emotional. What will we do without your wall posts? Will you be having a launch party when it's completed?
As for the bacon rind, how would a chicken of any sort be able to get a taste for such a thing in the wild? They don't have cookers, do they?
ps I would have put '2010' - in the future, it could be ambiguous.
I think you should make a couple of final bricks yourself, in which to engrave the story of the wall. Sort of like the bayeux tapestry, but in brick. You just need some clay and some sand and a kiln, apparently...oh say you will?
Perhaps a memory stick, loaded with all these photos, should be built into the wall, as a time capsule, to be discovered many thousands of years hence, when erosion finally reduces the bricks to dust.
Chickens aren't daft and they know what tastes good. Anyway, they eat our scraps and have had bacon before.
We are intending to have a party, yes, will you come?
Making bricks is quite possible, my grandad did when he brick-faced his bungalow 50 years ago. But just a few odd bricks may not be very attractive. If we'd thought, we could have made them all.
Good idea, Dave. Maybe we'd better leave a computer too so they've got something to see it on.
Party! Woo Hoo!
Ah....damn. That means I have to go shopping. I haven't got anything suitable for a Wall party.
I think the sun will never rise on the day that Dave is tired of birds chasing him.
Attractive bricks. I meant, make some attractive, and decorative bricks, of course!
Yes! A time-capsule! Genius!
And oh yes, I would love to come to the party!
Well you be having champagne on a ribbon to smash on the wall. I can just see you stood there with your big hat declaring the wall open.
I think the idea of the wall is to be closed (to rabbits) not open.
I'm not sure that I have either - for building, I usually wear 20-year-old torn jeans and a teeshirt.
Er, Dand, have you forgotten the decorative bricks that Dave inserted with such care into the first part of the wall? We've got more of them.
*Makes note to buy big hat to go with wall-opening outfit* A libation may be poured, but I don't know about smashing bottles. I'll be the one to pick up the glass. And to listen to the gasp of shock at the waste of champagne.
It's not high enough to keep rabbits out yet, Dave, as I discovered yesterday.
No Zederoo, of course I haven't!
But I still think you could have some decorative/story-telling bricks too.
You are joking about the rabbits, aren't you? Or are Norfolk rabbits higher jumpers than ordinary ones?
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