Suffering Piles

Its a well known fact that most smallholders suffer from piles. I have been for a while now and the last few days have finally addressed this embarrassing problem. Most of the jobs you do outside in all weathers will result in piles. One had got so big that it was causing problems, not least of which that Stable Sprite usually reversed over it as he tried to escape from Rock HQ. The piles of wood along the lane have now been reduced by one, all hand sawn for the wood burner. It was going to be used for the outside barbq but as that has not been built yet it seemed daft keeping the wood for its sole use. Its now heating the house nicely and I will endeavour to avoid a new outbreak of piles with the next lot of pruning.

We have lived here for just over three years now, and most days we see a neighbour of ours, a very friendly old boy who sits and watches the world, occasionally passing comment as you walk by. Ben the no eared collie has been a constant in the lane and in his owners yard, always ready with a friendly wag of the tail if you are by yourself, ever ready to assert his authority over his yard if you are with one or all of the magnificent seven (now ten). Ever vigilant for House Martins, sitting for hours on the barn steps jumping up as one flew in and out. Never nasty, the occasional playful nip of the calf as you shut the gate just to let you know he is in charge. All in all a very nice and happy collie who got over his severe mauling by a Staffie that left him with no ears but still with his good nature intact.

Today as we drove through his domain I spotted him lying in his usual sheltered spot, flat out asleep. He usually lifted his head to let you know he had seen you leave but today he was strangely quiet. I watched as Tracey shut the gate, the noise didn't rouse him. Jess his companion looked on, head bowed. Tracey and I went over to check. Jess gave a slight wag of encouragement with her tail as I spoke to and stroked Ben. The poor lad had just gone to sleep. For good. Telling his owner was difficult, watching Jess sit next to him when I carried him to his bed was heartbreaking.

Some good news today, Ben, our son Ben the army officer, has been promoted early so he is happy and we are immensely proud of him. Even better news is that we have reconnected the water tank to the stable, disconnected since the trees were felled last year. Its now fed by a temporary pipe from the well, so the muddy stream water that used to supply the tanks is no longer needed. Somehow the connector from the bottom of the tank had got mislaid in the passing months so this was solved in typical Rock HQ style by whittling down a 20mm pipe so the side walls were only half as thick, some PVA tape and a large hammer. Sorted.