Wednesday 12th October 2016

Not so good today, mild, sunny but a few showers to spoil the day.
Only trail camera images to report today as was out on the weekly food shop run this morning and a visit to my sister this afternoon.
Have found another spot in the garden where a hedgehog scratching about at night. Also found the culprit that pulled out all the straw from the kennel box the other night, the fox. Was using its leg to do this.

Tuesday 11th October 2016

An absolute beauty of a day, warm and sunny all day and well into the evening.
Really enjoyed the day at Runnymede and a long walk beside the Thames with Janet and Colin.
Runnymede so close to home but have only ever driven through it. So much history attached to this place.
Finished the day with a meal and a pint at a pub in Runnymede. A good day, making a break from cutting trees down?

Monday 10th October 2016

Another stunning day, long may it last.
Today spent making a start on cutting down the willow tree. Hard work as not very good with ladders and a electric saw, prefer to be grounded when using anything electrical. 50% cut, remaining will have to wait until next year now.
The long twigs are being used for a willow fence. The medium thick branches used as stakes for the fence and the trunky bits will be cut up for another log pile. Anything else will be shredded.
             Bit of a surprise to see a load of straw out of one of the hedgehog boxes. Loads of it, have pushed back in and have a trail camera focused on it tonight. Also have a camera connected inside. Watch this space.
Good to see a red admiral enjoying the ivy flowers in this mornings sun. Also plenty of bees and wasps about, a hornet was also spotted looking I think for somewhere to hibernate?
Picture 1 - Cut willow branches.
      "     2 - Half a willow tree.
      "     3 - Part of the willow fence.
      "     4 - Branches stripped ready for cutting into log pile lengths.
      "     5 - Hogatat, a birthday present.
      "     6 - Red Admiral.
      "     7 - Hornet about to enter the shed.
      "     8 - Waspy thing on the decking.
 " 9 & 11 - Moths.
 "        10 - What has done this I wonder?

Sunday 9th October 2016

A stunning day, warm and sunny. Bootiful.
Day spent digging out the hazel tree stump, this was actually one of my late Fathers bonsai trees which I re-planted in this part of the garden some 12 years ago.
Took some shifting but at least out now, one step nearer to having the site cleared. 
Have decided now to cut down the willow tree, this will be some task as has grown to a massive height and spread. Best do it now while I can (I think) or it will be a very expensive job to have someone in to deal with. Will make a start tomorrow.
Not able to see much wildlife today as day spent on this stump, can confirm the fox and two hedgehogs were out in the garden last night.

Saturday 8th October 2016

Very warm but again overcast most of the day.
This morning planted out 45 wallflower plants, with ground so hard it was actually a time consuming job. Had to soak the ground first and of course watered the plants once planted.
This afternoon had a go at trimming a few branches from the willow tree. Used what I could on the willow fence project.
Also made an attempt at digging out the Hazel tree stump. Will have another go at this tomorrow. The stump is in the way of the wildflower meadow project.
              Big surprise of the day was the face to face contact with a fox this morning. Not sure who was more surprised. Looked liked a healthy young fox. Not sure where it came from, just appeared on the decking as I was resting with a cuppa. Thankfully my camera was around my neck.

Friday 7th October 2016

Warm but overcast most of the day.
Most of the day taken up with a hospital visit for having another go at re-programming my new hearing aids. Bit early to say for sure if I will be able to hear any clearer. First signs are good if the noise on the bus is anything to go by. These hearing aids have Bluetooth with full wireless capabilities so fingers crossed that the adjustments today actually help me?
             Some great images from the trail camera of the fox and hedgehog, will try and post over the weekend.

Thursday 6th October 2016

Very warm and sunny.
Another busy hardworking day. All the branches now shredded and spread so all ready now for the next stage. Digging up existing wild flower plants and replanting in a temporary position, probably a huge pot. Will create a border within the wild flower meadow for these plants.
Spent all day on the shredding so not much else to report.
Picture 1 - Moth.
      "     2 - Shield Beetle.
      "     3 - Red spider.
      "     4 - Shredding.
      "     5 - Shredding complete and spread over the back border, can just see in the 
                   photograph.