Ground Force . . .

We have just spent the last 10 days over in Plockton for our sumer break and have had a great time, sailing, kayaking, walking and drinking a ridiculous volume of pear cider and other beverages!  We are returning to Lancashire via Elgin/Grantown, this time with the ground and its vegetation being the primary focus!  The good summer has meant everything has blossomed overly well for our liking and we are greeted with a jungle of sorts which needs taming!  We (or primarily Stephen) set to work . . .

A large cut off branch makes its way inadvertently into one of neighbour's gardens; Stephen popped round to retrieve it and apologise(?!) and we then meet Sheena, who gives a well received cup of tea as we have a quick chat over the fence.

Yes, that's smoke . . .

He's in there somewhere!

End of day one

Dad has kindly leant us his trailer and we make our first trip to the local tip/recycling centre which is only a couple of minutes drive away. 
By the end of the following day it looks like this . . .

It's great to finally see what's there and meet our two neighbours directly in front.  We are conscious they have probably had little or no disturbance from that patch for many years and here we are chainsawing and strimming away on a Sunday; however we hope that the end result will be more pleasing on the eye and feel we have been made very welcome for which we are very grateful.

Visibly alot has changed this weekend at our little bothy and it is with some difficulty that we drag ourselves away and head south back to work.