The rooferman falls, the mud thickens, & friendship glows

Continuing to slosh our way into 2010 as the rain continues to fall, varying from big raindrops to tiny drizzle-type raindrops, and every variety of raindrop in between. But it isn't cold. This is a blessing. One's toes can get very cold indeed when the temperature drops to below zero, and caravan life can get a tad on the wearisome side. But it must be even more wearisome for our rooferman, who has been a stirling trooper when it comes to getting our roof done. Goat-footed, nimbly he has been shimmying up and down the ladders  and tiles getting the house roof done. So now the weather boarding to keep the wind from blowing the roof off away into the sky. The easiest job really. 

So round on the roof of the half barn he was working, with ladders in place: one to get up onto the half barn roof, the other to get him up to the eaves of the house where the boarding had to go. 

But somehow the top ladder decided not to be a teamplayer, and went on strike, sliding off to one side as it did so. Rooferman Jean Pierre was left in mid air, then momentarily became a bird hovering in flight before gravity won the day and pushed his bod downwards, to land with a smack on the middle velux window of the half barn roof. 

Not to worry though. Despite immediate concerns, rooferman Jean Pierre is alive and well and ready to go a-roofing again, but only after a lengthy rest so his bod can recover: it was a nasty smack. Meanwhile the velux window is mortally damaged. But without even a hint of crossness, Hubs said that we would pay for its replacement. After all, people are more important than things, and somehow the money will be found. The velux is replaceable but bods are not, and the velux acted as a brake to his fall and stopped him slipping headfirst down the rest of the roof and from thence onto the ground below.

Getting the car off the drive is proving more and more difficult as the raindrops sink gleefully into the summer-dry earth. Back and front, all tracks are becoming mud baths, so much so that the builder, for whom Jean Pierre works, mentioned that bringing any heavy vehicles onto the land is going to be difficult for a while. Not to worry, though. At least the roof is done, and any other work can wait. Meanwhile, we continue to slosh about; we are, after all, erstwhile smallholders, and as we get the animals onto the land over the next few years, the sloshing about in muddiness will only ever get worse. Therefore 'Enjoy the immediate inconvenience because in comparison to what it is likely to get like in the future - well, it's not too bad!' is my present state of mind. 

Bools and Gus have become buddies, but not 'Lets play and romp and do daft things' type of buddies, just accepting of each other's positions, Bools being top dog and Gus being under dog. Only now Bools is no longer giving Gussy a thumping every time he steps out of line, Gussy is becoming demanding and difficult. Not to worry, though, at least peace reigns. Well sometimes it does. Other times either me or Hubs are yelling at Gussy-boy because he is being naughty. I think the term 'terrible two's' applies very well to this little dog, even though in doggy terms his age is nearer to twenty years old. It is entirely possible that this small fiend has never been allowed to be himself. Which is perhaps why the smallest one of our unit is the one which is the hardest work. Ah well, we will continue to persevere with this little monster. 

The photo up top shows Bools and Gus roasting infront of the heater, for once both are quiet and snoring blissfully. And they are lying quite close together showing that there is good harmony growing between them.

Things I have learnt: That people are important. That doggies are good friends. That boots can be dried even if plastered with mud which lays over them so thickly that the actual shape of the boot can't be seen. That rain is good for the grass, which is continuing to grow in our newly grassed fields, and it is also enormously inspirational to the rate of growth of the dreaded dock plants which are putting on an impressive spurt. I am starting to learn that one has to play a deadly game with this plant, which is spray them dead!

Latest update now concluded. Hope you are well, and enjoying the start of 2010.