10 August 2011

Bob arrived at 8:00 with a load of bank run gravel.  By 9:30 he had brought in three more loads.  Tammy arrived about 8:30 and set to work sawing up and hauling away the evil Doug-whacking maple trees, with some limb removal help from me (tree limbs, not my limbs). Upon Bob’s final return we set to work placing cap stones all along the perimeter of the car turnaround area retaining wall. About 1 o’clock Bob went to get yet another load of gravel while Tammy and I took a breather and quick lunch break.  By 2:30 the retaining wall was complete and the turnaround area filled in and leveled off.  So then we set to work extending the shed turnaround area and associated retaining wall.  To get the woods out of the way, lumberjack Bob just bulldozed the trees aside, including an 8″ maple.  Dan came over to observe and help as this was going on.  An hour and a half later, the shed turnaround area had been extended 20′ east and Bob had built a third retaining wall all by himself and without ever leaving the excavator cab.  Amazing just doesn’t come close to describing the touch he has with that machine.  After a quick beer, swim, and shower, Dan and Perry came over for dinner at 5:30.  We left, in company with the Lapidus’, at 6:15 for Dorset, where Kate was appearing in the British comedy Noises Off.  To describe that play as hysterical would be a gross understatement.  To describe Kate as one very fine actress would also be a gross understatement.  After the final curtain we waited around and then spent some time chatting with the cast.  A totally FABULOUS experience.  We got back to Fern Lake at midnight.