Bird’s Eye View
The deer are back.
Can you see the second one sitting behind the tree left of centre? It’s nice that they feel secure enough to chill out around chez duck. True, it would be better if they chose their spots more wisely. You can’t pick up a Ligularia fischeri v. megalorhiza ‘Cheju Charmer’ just anywhere you know and mine may now be somewhat flattened. And of course the deer could be reclining there all the while considering which of the roses had the best flavour this year and therefore which to make a beeline for come the new season. But let’s just pass over that thought for the moment shall we.
Pausing briefly to attend to an itchy back the grazing deer happened to notice Ptolemy Pheasant standing on the lawn. “Hey Ptolemy, what has happened to Jessica and Mike? She hasn’t posted in weeks, nearly a month. I suppose they’ve hopped off to the Antipodes again, now the thermometer has dropped into single digits. No resilience you see, unlike us. Can’t say I really blame them though, what with all the rain and the storms we’ve had recently.”
Ptolemy puffed out his chest and drew himself up to his full 18 inches, an appropriate posture (he surmised) for a bird ‘in the know’. “Oh, they’re still here alright. Banging and crashing around, working all hours of the day and night, long after I’ve put the lights out in the roost. Most annoying let me tell you.”
“I’ve been keeping an eye on them though.”
Never the sort of bird to stop at eight words when 800 would do, Ptolemy continued apace. “It’s all been quite fraught, the place full of people. Men with heavy tool boxes, ladders and natty measuring devices which throw laser light shows across the walls. Jessica got into a right old state the other day when a hose appeared out of the front door and the end of it was carefully nestled right into the base of her Itoh peony ‘Pastel Splendor’. She swooped in and snatched the hose out of the flower bed a split second before jet black water issued from the end of it, as indeed would be expected if the other end of the hose had been attached to the drain valve of the central heating system.”
“What do you make of it Ptolemy Too, is that a new radiator on the wall in there?”
Yep.
“Apparently there’s a deadline. No, not the ‘C’ word, something even more imminent than that. The arrival of the two sofas back from the upholsterers, where they’ve been re-covered. So there’s been a frenzy of plumbing, electrical work, painting.. and the floor now needs to be spotlessly clean. Jessica has been over it five times with a mop.. five.. plus once on her hands and knees with a scrubbing brush and the water is still coming away dark brown. Aeons of historical use and, more recently, seven months of builders’ boots have a great deal to answer for.”
“And then this week voices were raised even further and crowbars were taken into the house. For all the screeching of wood against metal nail you’d have thought the floor above the sitting room was coming up. I’m quite sure Jessica will have many a tale to regale, as soon as she has a moment to catch her breath.”
“I wouldn’t mind if they’d let us all inside quite frankly. I’d take the risk. It’s blowin’ a hoolie out here.. again!”
Author’s note: Ptolemy has asked me to mention, just in passing you understand, that he is currently appearing in pantomime: the critically acclaimed Much Malarkey Manor adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. He would be delighted if you would join him to witness his starring role as Ptolemy Ptinman (with silent P’s). As would the narrator of the story, Denise, who is long past comfort snacking on biscuits under the stress of it all and has moved on to the serious stuff: cake.
You’ll need to be quick. The last performance will take place on Christmas Eve but the best place to start, as always, is at the beginning (here).
Hoping your Christmas is peaceful and comfortable.
And the same to you Jill. Keep strong x
It looks wonderful! But “crowbars” sound ominous. I hope it’s a minor issue, and you can sit on your newly covered sofas and enjoy a glass of wine.
Not such a minor issue but hopefully now done.
The prospect of actually sitting on a sofa again seems very strange after all this time!
You have to admit (surely?) that Ptolomy is a very handsome bird indeed, if the your header photo is anything to go by. But handsome is as handsome does and a starring panto role might go to his head – so who knows what he might get up to then or what secrets he might share of the goings-on of Jessica and Mike…
He is an exceedingly handsome bird and I’m quite sure he knows it, from the way he struts around the place. He has a passion for hellebores sadly, not to eat, just to decapitate because they’re there.
Enjoy a peaceful and joyous holiday season on your newly recovered sofas!
Thanks. It’s going to be wonderful to have the sitting room back in use. But give me a glass of wine and the woodburner going and I shall soon be at home again.
I see progress has been made since the previous post. Painting done, floor cleaned etc, but I’m worried about the crowbar reference. Is this more restoration in the offing?
Not yet, just a little bit of emergency re-wiring!
Hope all’s well there and the fires are coming under control. Still some very scary news stories coming out of Oz.
Thank you Jessica. We are in a very worrying ( possibly an understatement) situation with the mega fire that is licking at Sydney’s doorstep, and there’s little hope of extinguishing it without significant rain. Temps of 40+ are forecast for us this week, a heatwave arriving from the west. đŸ¥µ
My thoughts are with all of Australia as it endures this latest heatwave. The impact on everyone, and the wildlife, is just heartbreaking. Keep safe Jane.
When I saw the title of your post, I mistakenly assumed that you’d gone off to more exotic turf and would be sharing views of it from an airplane. ( I remember that airplanes aren’t your favorite mode of transportation but taking photos in flight is a good way to distract yourself until you’re safely on the ground.) I’m sorry to learn that you haven’t managed a break from your ongoing renovations. My knees hurt even contemplating scrubbing that floor! I don’t suppose you could engage Ptolemy to use his theatrical skills to convince the deer that they’re at dire risk of being picked off by hunters masquerading as contractors?
P.S. Our general contractor’s crew finally finished their last task fixing and grouting stone in the area surrounding our fireplace late yesterday! (The job was supposed to be done by the end of October, then mid-November…) My husband will finish the final steps with the fireplace on his own, sealing the stone and building the wood mantle, as that’s just easier at this point – and it will prevent any further attacks of apoplexy on my part. Thank you for the good wishes for my Pipig.
We would both dearly love a break and hope to take a few days away before the growing season starts again. As you know only too well living in a house that is being ripped apart is an exhausting experience! The deer are a mixed blessing. I love to see them in the garden so tolerate a little bit of damage but I always fear they’ll get braver or bring along all their friends and relations. There were three in total on the day we took the photo so it may have already started.
Great news that your contractors have finished. It’s a great feeling isn’t it? That you have the house back to yourselves again? I hope all goes well for Pipig and that you can now properly relax over Christmas.
I’m pleased you managed to swoop in to save the peony, I can imagine what you would say if it was blasted into space on black sludge! The house is coming on … can’t wait to see the sofas in the room.
Could they have picked a more expensive plant to douse in sludge? I doubt it. I shall think twice next time I’m tempted to put something valued so close to the house!
‘Tolemy is a splendid tour guide
Don’t encourage him Derrick. Anything that enables him to strut around the place with a sense of importance suits him admirably.
Thanks for the publicity, Mrs Duck! As always, Ptolemy is a complete star. đŸ˜‰
You’re very welcome. He has already been for a fitting for his new crown. I shall never hear the end of it. đŸ™„
Oh that second deer is most well camouflaged Jessica. I’m glad to read that Ptolemy is keeping you and Mike on your toes. I hope though that fame doesn’t go to his head.
I didn’t see the second deer at all at first, only after it had moved a bit. There was a lot of ‘activity’ back in the autumn with a stag chasing females around so I’m hoping there may be some new arrivals in Spring. We seem to be home to quite a population. It doesn’t bode well for the roses.
LOLOLOLOLZ!
Looks like the garden here but now I know where the deer went! I go down the garden with cheeping behind me – Little Peeps the young female pheasant. I have a special bag of wheat in my pocket for her. Now I get a few more Peeps. Word has spread that there is a hooman with goodies. The males don’t come close now, as Phineas was chomped by the fox earlier this year and the new ones are a bit skittish.
But such progress – and warmth from radiators hopefully without issues! Fingers crossed! xx
Ptolemy has become a regular visitor, he was here again yesterday afternoon peeping through the window!
I did feed the first Ptolemy (I assume there is a natural turnover but calling them all Ptolemy keeps things a whole load simpler) but it got so he appeared from nowhere as soon as I stepped outside. And then he started to get quite aggressive. So as much as I would love to keep them on my property and safe from the hunters I’m more reluctant to feed them now. This one does seem to be more of a garden bird, I just hope that continues.
Forgot to say that close up of his head and feathers looks like someone got to him with fancy pinking shears! I’ll just have to wear my specs outside in future as I’d never noticed the formation as closely before – pattern and colours yes, but not the actual shape. Male pheasants don’t really come close now (not like Phineas – but then he might have been an injured Hopalong Cassidy – that boy had a bit extra tlc) – those that linger under the wild bird feeders when one of my evil twin hens are about know that she will not be taking kindly to them scooping up titbits. She went for one like a sea eagle swooping down into the water! Male pheasant ran away! I would have done too – I am convinced there are some unpleasant genes in that girl! Not that her fun will last – avian flu arriving so now under supervised roaming and not in the garden! Hey ho the wind is back ho ho ho Merry Christmas!!!! đŸ˜€
Avian flu is bad news, keep them safe.
The pheasant feathers remind me of those baggage carousels at airports: made to slide over each other as they go round corners. I guess there’s a lot of movement in a pheasant’s neck. But they are a magnificent sight.
Hmm, I’ve got a neighbor like Ptolemy. Not so handsome; actually a bit of a cretin and an utter nuisance. Almost has me buying lace curtains.
Good to hear about the progress…with sofas ready to park themselves in front of the fire. Just make sure you have your wine stash in place so you don’t have to move too much once you actually get to sit down.
I would draw the line at neighbours peeping through the windows. There are some lovely voile fabrics around these days, if you wanted to avoid the full on lace curtain effect.
Mike’s penchant for red wine is giving me nightmares. In fact having now seen the sofas I’m having nightmares already, the colour is delicate and light. I have ordered two large throws.. next day delivery!
Buy a can…or three of fabric protector spray to add to your arsenal!
Good idea! đŸ˜„
Lovely post, and well written. Love the way you are renovating your cottage, and looking forward to seeing it completed, as I think you are too! It has been a long journey for you, but worth it.
Thanks Vera.
It has been a very long journey and we’re both utterly sick of it now. We’ll take a rest over winter and then decide what to do. There is only one more large project. It’s a case of whether we do it next year and just get it all over and done with, or take a longer break. I’ve ignored the garden this year, that desperately needs a season devoted to it as well.
Deer and roses, yes, an issue. Surely the first fence was invented by a rose loving human protecting the rose from a rose-eating deer.
Ptolemy is such a handsome boy, and a good narrator.
Your remodeled room looks beautiful–so, what’s going to be torn up next?
The hall, stairs, landing and downstairs loo. All interconnected so no small project! But it’s the last one really. Mike’s study needs some work but that we can probably do ourselves. I think the likely plan is that we concentrate on the study and some work outside next year and line up the last big one for the following year. But we’ll think about it over winter. All could yet change.
I love your Ptolemy gazing longingly into the house….you really have to wonder what he is thinking…warmth and food possibilities come to mind!
I have learnt through other bloggers just how destructive deer are, and would hate to have them gobbling down my roses! Enjoy your sofas.
Ptolemy has been back again since I took those photos, I think he has become rather attached to us. In reality I suspect he has found a sheltered spot. That doorway is nestled within an ‘L’ shaped section of house wall which will protect him from the wind, of which there has been quite a lot lately!
Reminds me of a stay in a cottage on the banks of Loch Ness where one particular pheasant intimidated the deer that ventured into the garden.
A few years back we had a very aggressive pheasant here. He attacked both of us and even chased off the post van. There appeared to be a link with red.. we both had red coats at the time. Our current visitor seems more friendly although he does seem on a mission to break into the greenhouse. He is often to be found casing the joint!
Ann has pheasants peering in through her windows, do they all want to join in Christmas but not as dinner?
Happy Christmas to all chez vous!
Our pheasant has been back several times now. It wants something for sure.. đŸ˜±
Happy Christmas to you both.
The pheasant is lovely to look at and the pictures are great. I’ve had turkeys chase my car( that was red). It was quite frightening really. The room looks amazing. the floor is stunning. I can’t wait to see the sofas. It has been so much work for you guys and of course the workers. Have a Merry Holiday and enjoy. Today is the Solstice and I’m going to go for a walk and then light candles later as I drink some sort of red wine.
The winter solstice is a real turning point. The worst of the weather may still be to come but when every day gets a little longer it feels like Spring is only just around the corner.
A Happy Holiday to you too. You’ve both been through so much this year. I hope you are able to take a little time out to relax and enjoy. Take care.
I didn’t think pheasants ventured into domestic areas but I have had one in my back garden and one (maybe the same one) was taking a stroll up the drive a few days ago, and a neighbour has seen one in her garden. Ptolemy is very good at reporting progress at Chez Rusty Duck. I like your radiators. Merry Christmas to you and Mike x
Ptolemy has settled on a roost in the tree nearest the greenhouse. Every evening, with much squawking, he performs a vertical take off from the base of the trunk and has me leaping out of my skin. I should be prepared for it by now, but somehow never am!
A very Merry Christmas to you too Polly x