11th October 2024
Joe Swift was in my class at school. His extensive media commitments make him unavailable to get us schooled up on managing the grounds at Pollards Mill but in any case I prefer the local expertise of my new best mate Brian. We’d agreed to meet at here at 0600, so I was mortified to wake with a start at precisely that time despite yesterday being 0430 🙄. Anyway, he showed me the ropes good and proper:
His sage advice included telling the difference between savannah grass and WILD grass. We have both, naturally. Plus probably other grasses previously unknown to science and two hog plum trees which drop fruits “all de time, all de time” (cue rueful shake of the head) so that it’s only worth sweeping them up once a critical mass is reached, otherwise it’s just soul-destroying. And many more wise words which I am committing to memory as best I can.
An audacious member of the recently discovered beehive in the large tree outside the kitchen window makes itself known by stinging Brian on his impressive right tricep, adding to the havoc wrought by its cousin who jabbed my left foot on Wednesday when I carelessly trod on it. I reckon I’m the more energetic dancer of the two of us but no matter, our bond is now sealed in blood.
Meanwhile Nicola is having a lovely time seeking invaluable advice about local herbs, vegetables, fruits etc. Everything is seeping in. To be fair she put in a hell of a shift tackling the piles of fallen hog plums. We can now see the sea!
The most traumatic moment of the day arrives when I have to break it to Brian that the thick bush he heroically cleared last week to give us access to the well pursuant to the gentlemen’s agreement reached at the last minute with the seller…leads to the wrong well. Our own well lies several hundred yards distant through jungle which would test Bear Grylls’ survival skills, but Brian takes it all in his stride and will come up with a plan. He de man.
Last minute drama when we realised he’d left his van lights on when he arrived this morning (told you it was early) and his battery was as flat as a pancake. Nicola led the successful search for some jump leads and he was on his way. See you next Friday, buddy ❤️
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