THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

29 November 2013

ORANGUTANS


You might remember the close shave we had back in May with a HUGE limb falling off the majestic Beech tree that sits just as you come into our garden, which is at the front of the house. Thank goodness the tree doesn't belong to us - it's costing a fortune! Here are a couple of pictures from that day:



Well, six months later, phase one of the work to reduce its size has started, with these men of the forest flitting about as if it were the safest job in the world. My heart was in my mouth watching then from our kitchen window, but after two days, the task is completed and our garden is much lighter as a result. Also, we can now see out onto the moor from the house; before all we could see was the lower hanging branches of the tree. Here are those Orangutans......







We pick up the 'new' car tomorrow. Suddenly a ridiculous sense of loss regarding the Renault is entering my being; perhaps because we took possession of it on OB's first birthday. It is a pile of steaming crap but it has history. It stinks of dog and damp and horse and the parcel shelf has a Snippet shaped indentation where he likes to lie. I'll get over it.......On a lighter note, the Great Spotted Woodpeckers are back at the feeder at last. I took a picture this morning but it was SO dark they aren't worth showing you. So, instead, until next time, here are a couple of the moor from yesterday. I love the lone pony in the first one. 



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50 comments:

  1. rusty duck29 November 2013 at 21:46

    I have vertigo just watching...
    Yay for the GSWs, ours are back too. I've missed them.

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  2. ann @ studiohyde29 November 2013 at 21:48

    That was one HUGE tree - glad it has been dealt with. I feel quite excited for you in getting another car and ditching the old one, like an early Christmas present.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 15:12

      It's fabulous. CLEAN and doesn't smell of dog/horse/horse food!

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  3. Tom Stephenson29 November 2013 at 22:44

    Pissed Gorillas in the Mist.

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  4. Christian Perrin29 November 2013 at 23:56

    That would be the worst job in the world. I have a real sensitivity to heights and the shot of that man standing so high up on such a thin limb makes my heart beat fast.

    And yes, the pony photo is lovely - really puts into perspective the size of the landscape.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 15:13

      They must be mad. There was a lot of machismo flying about which I ducked thank goodness!

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  5. Margarethe Brummermann30 November 2013 at 00:00

    seems that you don't have too many trees to spare - but it seems that this way you can enjoy it for years to come. I'm giving up on my Subaru and NOT replacing it, just keep my truck...so I know how you feel.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 15:14

      Never a French car again. It's Germany all the way from now on. It's wonderful.

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  6. angryparsnip30 November 2013 at 00:59

    What a huge tree. I am so happy that you will be able to see more from your yard.
    Trimming trees is expensive I had several trimmed in the spring.

    I hope you keep the old car. I just saw some where several cars that were parked in their yard or fields and had trees growing out of them. It was a hoot ! You could plant yours.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:07

      We didn't have the room to do that Parsnip, so we'll never know what that plant was in the back! The guy took it in part exchange and we were very lucky quite frankly.

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  7. thelma30 November 2013 at 08:11

    Well I'm glad it is still standing, trees have souls don't you know! Lovely photos of the cold down below can just imagine the ponies skidding on the ice.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:08

      More will come off next year but too much could shock it into oblivion apparently. We don't want that.

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  8. Anonymous30 November 2013 at 09:57

    They are amazing aren't they, men of the trees.

    I understand your feelings about the Renault, but you know in a couple of weeks you'll have found the same bond with the new one. Give it a name- that'll help! x

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:09

      The men of the trees are very polite, bar one (young and trying to be cool), which makes them all the more amazing. Rather them than me.

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  9. ~Kim at Golden Pines~30 November 2013 at 10:39

    I have watched them in awe and holding my breath as well, and am amazed at how easy they make it look--I guess that's why some people think they can do it themselves! I've no doubt you are really going to enjoy your new view!!

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:10

      I know someone who thought they could do it themselves and it didn't end well. Lucckily it was a greenhouse rather than a human but even so - very silly.

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  10. ~Kim at Golden Pines~30 November 2013 at 10:41

    And by the way, I totally understand your feelings about your car--I felt that same way about my last one, and the one I have now.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:11

      Now the VW is here, those feelings have gone. Its Germanic brilliance is winning me over.

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  11. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"30 November 2013 at 11:16

    I remember talking to some keen rock climbers once - they were all tree surgeons, I think I can see why.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:11

      Rocks would be a doddle after the spindly nature of a tree I should think.

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  12. Ragged Robin30 November 2013 at 11:35

    Feeling dizzy just looking at those men in the trees - glad your view has improved though and tree sounds a lot safer.

    I can sympathise with your feelings over the loss of your Renault - I've hated parting with each of my cars even though they were wrecks as I'd run them into the ground. Enjoy your new car - it will soon feel special - give it a name as CT suggests :)

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:13

      I certainly felt dizzy watching them. They must be mad but thank goodness there are people who are prepared to do it.

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  13. Wendy30 November 2013 at 12:05

    The climbers do look professional but, even so, it's a bit alarming to watch. It looks a very large tree.
    It is an end of an era giving up a car, isn't it? I'm not generally attached to cars at all but I'll probably be selling my morris minor convertible next year and if I was to be fond of a car - it would be that one.
    I love the lone pony on the moor - so atmospheric.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:13

      I've always wanted a Morris Minor Wendy. I had a friend at college with one and was green with envy.

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  14. Anonymous30 November 2013 at 12:50

    Cleverly titled blog post. Nice one, Em.

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  15. Bovey Belle30 November 2013 at 13:07

    I remember that tree - gosh, they were brave to go up so high and work with a chainsaw! I'm glad it's safer now though, and you have a view of the moor from your garden.

    The picture with the tiny lone pony in it really gives perspective.

    Enjoy your new car. I am sure you will soon lay down memories with that one as you did the old Renault. We still miss our old Renault Traffic van - we travelled all over the country in it, right up to the Scottish highlands, and middle daughter learned to drive in it. Happy memories, and we were sad to see it go and still miss it (it was BRILLIANT for auctions and our camping holidays).

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:19

      I drove back from Italy in one of those vans with two colleagues in the mid 1980's after a theatre tour there. It was surprisingly comfortable!

      That pony does look so lost in the wilderness there. Its friends were just out of shot!

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  16. Jane and Chris30 November 2013 at 13:51

    I really don't want to look!
    Jane x

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  17. Dartford Warbler30 November 2013 at 14:16

    I do admire tree surgeons for their bravery - you had a very skilled one there!

    It is good to catch up with your lovely Dartmoor photos again.

    I too have a Renault that has seen better days and I would miss it. Hopefully it will keep going for a few more years... Good luck with your new car!

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:21

      Lovely to hear from you! I was thinking about you just the other day and wondering how you were. I wonder which particular Renault delight you are the owner of too? The VW is LOVELY.

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  18. SeagullSuzie30 November 2013 at 15:00

    Love the Dartmoor photos, especially the lonely pony. Those tree surgeons do a great but very dangerous job, swinging about with chainsaws and ropes. It's great that your garden will be better without the tree overhanging and it's improved your view. Hope the new car is brilliant.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:21

      It IS brilliant.....at the moment anyway. Those doors really do clunk in a lovely way.

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  19. The Weaver of Grass30 November 2013 at 15:54

    Horses for courses as they say Em. Those men do indeed look fearless and probably are.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:22

      Absolutely, and without that confidence they would probably just fall out of the trees.

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  20. Roy Norris30 November 2013 at 18:31

    I like the one with the tall grasses Em.

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    1. Em Parkinson30 November 2013 at 19:23

      The tree in that one must be a willowy hybrid thing I think. I've never got near it as it's sitting in very nasty BOG.

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  21. HappyK30 November 2013 at 19:06

    Oh my!! Looks like he's walking the tree tops.

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  22. Caroline Gill30 November 2013 at 22:53

    What a very exciting Tarzan-style life you lead (well, not quite you personally I suppose!). Thank you, Em, for your kind comments on my swan pics. So sorry to hear about the demise of your Renault ...

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    1. Em Parkinson1 December 2013 at 19:14

      Apparently Renault's build quality has improved since we bought that one in 2005 but I'm not sure I believe it.

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  23. Down by the sea1 December 2013 at 15:08

    Those are great pictures of the tree surgeon! We were out walking yesterday and came across one cutting down a pine it always looks so precarious in the tree tops! Glad you can now see the moor. Hope you are pleased with your new car, it's like a pair of old shoes it takes a while to get used to and then you form quite an attachemrnt.
    Sarah x

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    1. Em Parkinson1 December 2013 at 19:15

      We love it Sarah - I really never expected to own a VW - they're so expensive, but it seems, if they're eight years old, it's just possible! It feels like a new car but just lacks the smell. x

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  24. Gail H. Ragsdale1 December 2013 at 21:57

    So glad your neighbor took care of the tree! Not a happy thought of it falling on your roof.

    Happy to hear you got a new to you car! That will help to make your life much easier.

    Love the first moor photo with the pony. Gives a reference to the vastness of the moor!

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    1. Em Parkinson2 December 2013 at 14:59

      However down or stressed I'm feeling, those views help hugely.

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  25. Lou Mary5 December 2013 at 16:46

    We are going to require men of the trees to come and remove our eucalyptus soon. My dad used to be a tree surgeon so I often watched him swinging around the branches like a monkey when I was younger! I really like the lone pony on the moor photo, very bleak!

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  26. Em Parkinson5 December 2013 at 19:18

    I love bleak! Tree surgery is a great job I think, but not for the faint hearted.

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