Crumble really does work as a bribe!!

We’ll be eternally grateful for the help of our guests this weekend!! With their help we’ve managed to get some difficult jobs done – mainly clearing [a lot of] dead tree branches, and prepping for our new fence. Eleven fence post holes didn’t sound too daunting, sat at the dining table – but when we realised they needed to be 60-80cm deep, and we saw how compact and stony the soil was, having extra hands has made SUCH a difference. We’ve managed six so far, leaving the final five and a few more cm depth to next weekend when we have more tools… And all it took was the promise of apple and rhubarb crumble!! There have been many evenings over the last five-and-a-half-weeks when we’re reflected on how lucky we are to have such amazing family and friends who are prepared to give up their time to help us :-) 

And we’ve had a great excuse to squeeze in some R&R time, taking the opportunity to explore the local area with them and try out a couple of walk routes and a new pub! Still semi-work, as it’s important to have ready-made walking maps and pub recommendations for our guests – and The Cotley Inn in Wambrook will certainly be on that list! And it comes with the added benefit of being able to say you walked to the next county! 

The pup has definitely settled in now, and is learning to “help” collect sticks (shame she then just deposits them around the garden instead of putting them in a pile to box up, but you can’t have everything!). We absolutely love this photo taken by one of our friends this weekend – watching the front gate in genuine guard-dog style!!