A few days ago I heard a loud crack, and upon immediate investigation saw the balcony filling with leaves and small branches and the cat who likes to sun herself there, hightailing it inside. I assumed a small branch had fallen, as they do from time to time. A little while later I realised that it was,  in fact, a sizeable branch from the tall gum (eucalyptus vimalis? manna gum). It was still partially attached to the tree at one end, and resting on the much small tree that had stopped its fall at the other.  If either end gave way, it would swing down and seriously damage the carport and  anyone nearby so it needed to be removed. 
​Luckily we were able to have it removed the following day by Patrick from  Heritage Tree Professionals. It was secured at each end, and then cut in the middle with each half lowered safely to the ground. 
it will eventually end up as fire wood, but in the meantime while it is drying out, we have used the logs to create another adventure activity for grandchildren. 

The climbing area, stabilised and ready for action.

During the pandemic lockdown I was invited by artist Glenys Mann to collaborate on two books with her. We each created a book on the theme of 'a sense of place' leaving every second page blank for the other to complete. Book were exchanged by mail. I made a book on Bickleigh Vale and these are some of the pages. It's a different way to record this  place and my experience of it. 
​The title comes from a statement made by Edna Walling -  "I prefer a rather wild and unkempt garden".