For others (Like us) it is a time to get some serious work done in the Garden - before the beautiful Autumn Days turn to Winter.
And it was to be Pruned instead.
That was until the Tree bit the Arborist, and he let out some choice Australian-isms that sent me inside so he could swear at it in peace.
Each cut will result in it sending out "Sticky-Outie-Itty Bits" - a fact we already knew BEFORE the Arborist added it to his tirade.
(Which was directed at the tree.)
We also took the opportunity to remove one of our own small Trees.
A Grevillea that really wasn't doing anything for the backyard other than get in the way of the more productive nectar rich and Bird friendly Grevillea "Molly".
Once the straggler was out of the way we needed to prune 'Molly' to take some weight of one side of the plant, and then try and encourage her to move back into an upright position and "Own the Space" she is growing in.
It is times like this that I am glad we have our own small garden shredder.
Branches and leaves over the whole weekend were munched up and turned into Mulch to go back into the garden.
This little fellow is a New Holland Honey-eater who is a regular visitor that comes in to feast on the Nectar from 'Molly'.
At least our pruning didn't frighten him away.
From the Backyard to the Front - there is still maintenance to be done.
The front side fence was giving every indication that is was being pushed over by the Diosma (which it wasn't), but in order to be able to fix the fence - the out of control plant had to go.
The front side fence was giving every indication that is was being pushed over by the Diosma (which it wasn't), but in order to be able to fix the fence - the out of control plant had to go.
It is odd how we debate whether it is the right thing to do - but once done we rarely regret taking a plant out.
We now have a clear run at the fence repairs - that is once Maggie here, finished her inspection.
It was time to take a break and have a well earned Cuppa -
While we were gone the Wildlife decided it was also a good time to check out what we were doing.
Of all Three in this photo it was the Praying Mantis that was the most feisty!
The fence is fixed and just in time - The Twin 6 yr old Girls next door discovered while we were working on it, that it was "nice and wobbly and a great place to play".
(I am not sorry to spoil their fun.)
The rest of the under plantings from years past were pulled out and mulched giving our beautiful 40 yr old Crepe Myrtle room to breathe.
(I was only well enough to take some photos and watch).
We now have ALMOST a blank canvas to work up a new Bird, Bee and Butterfly friendly garden.
Well - I have to give DH something to do, as he is threatening to retire at the end of this year!
* * * * *
*Labour Day is an annual public
holiday that celebrates the eight-hour working day, a victory for workers in
the mid-late 19th century. The argument for the eight-hour day was based
on the need for each person to have eight hours labour, eight hours recreation
and eight hours rest.
On 21 April 1856, in Melbourne, the stonemason’s
workers staged a well-organised protest.
They downed tools and walked to
Parliament House with other members of the building trade. Their fight was for
an eight-hour day, effectively a 48-hour week to replace the 60-hour week. The
government agreed to an eight-hour day for workers employed on public works,
with no loss of pay.
The win was a world first!
