MY WORLD ~ A Walk in the Woods

We went seeking our favourite walk in the Pinus radiata

plantation only to find the whole forest razed to the ground

and an uninspiring hill of stumps left. Somewhat daunted

we drove to our mushrooming spot only to find KEEP OUT

signs and Falling Tree warnings. There was heavy machinery

resting among the rows. Thank goodness it was the first day

of the year and even the loggers had a holiday.

Braving the prohibition signs and warnings that we were being

watched, we entered this sunlit cathedral of trees and breathed

in its warm fragrance feeling bereft that within a week or two

this too would be lost to us. There was birdsong all around us

but the trees stood silently fearful.

A mob of kangaroos spied in the distance as well as all the

birds would lose their homes. An ecosystem built up over

40 years would be no more.

With our unusually late spring rains, a crop of mushrooms

had surfaced and dried in the scorching sumer sun.

I found a comfortable seat on this stump that had brought forth

families of witchetty grubs, to sit and contemplate and try to

catch at least one of the multitude of butterflies in my sights.

It seems I took a little too long over it

but did catch one of those elusive critters after all.

So onward into the unknown, where will we find such places to

walk in so close to home?

As always, all photos enlarge.

A Happy New Year to all our Hosts at MY WORLD!

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MY WORLD ~ Changes

Another era in the garden as the last of the invasively water
sucking Pinus radiata bites the dust.
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If you look carefully, you may spot my grandson high up in
the right fork of this triple stemmed giant. He bravely offered
to climb up and attach a cable so the tractor would take up the
slack and land it in the right direction, which it did.
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Here he is wrapping the cable around the tree.
Below is the felling of the third and last part of this ominously
large tree which was rather tricky as it had to be steered away
from the house and fountain on one side, and the flower bed and
fence on the other.
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Going.....
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going,,,,,,,,,

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gone.
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Needles to say, it landed in the perfect spot to the satisfaction

of all concerned.
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It was sad to see it go and we will miss the shielding row of shade

as well as the soothing soughing in the wind. On the other hand, the

other plants in a radius of 100m will thrive again and they will kill

no more of my frowering cherries or anything else.

It seems everything in this world is a compromise.

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MY WORLD Team, is open to everyone to join or just wander.

MY WORLD ~ 37 Local Changes

All photos enlarge for better viewing.

There are some changes being made. We are building
a 17,000 gallon water tank and the long overdue shed.
The back end of the house is really the front end so some
tidying up and I hope a shade-house and gazebo on the
water tank will follow.



To clear the site, firstly the pine tree behind my little
car needs to go. Our son, on one of his rare visits, is having
another 'bonding' experience with his father.



Going out to assess the situation....



and getting to work.

It is not easy to cut it at such a high level but the reason

is that now it can be pushed over and uprooted with a

Bobcat.

Cutting up the debris and removing the large pieces

by tractor down hill onto an open space for burning.



Father and son togetherness tidying up, always the

worst part of the job.

A big bonfire at the end, and the coast is clear for

the next stage of the project.

The doings of the world will open with a click on the Logo.

As ever, my gratitude to Klaus and his Elves for keeping this

wonderful meme running like clock-work.