It started well. A drive in the early morning sun as Exmoor looms large in the distance is rarely a chore. Arriving at The Mantles Estate my civet poo coffee was freshly brewed and only slightly less warm than my welcome. The twin magnolias battled to outdo each other’s beauty. Sparrows squabbled over prime real estate in the meld of clematis/wisteria. All was well in the world.
Lord Mantle is on a mission. It is called “tame the iris in the pond”. This Iris pseudoacorus, innocently planted several years ago, has become a island, so large the resident frogs recently declared independence from the Principality of Kemacott. This behaviour cannot be tolerated, these flags need to be culled. Too large to manhandle, His Lordship had a cunning plan. He bought a winch. Are warning bells ringing? They should be.
As we worked on our own jobs in the garden, myself and Her Ladyship were on high alert, ready to assist when needed. Which we were. We pulled, we pushed, we gave advice that was very well received (fib), we used broom handles and scaffolding planks as levers, we returned to our duties as necessary. The chief engineer was patient and methodical. “Can you just pull on this strap?” he asked in his pretty please voice. “Of course” I replied “It would be an honour”.
Really I should sue. Look at their faces of concern.
I had an extra cheese roll at lunch time. It seems it is more important than ever to pad out my tail end. My amble posterior saved me once again.
Off The Edge Gardening 
I have to break it to you, that is not concern on Lord Mantle’s face. That is pure enjoyment.
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🙂 Later I got my own back when he went in too deep and the water flooded into his wellies. 😀
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Oh dear. 🤣
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You’re not laughing are you? Those are tears of sympathy aren’t they? 🙂
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Of course! 🙄
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I only had eyes for those beautiful Magnolia trees!
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What a combo!
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You could form the Mantles tug of war team!
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Good idea!
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“Ouch!” exclaimed Gill as she landed, wondering whether her backside would need to be encased in plaster (just for effect, of course). “Pass me my camera please so I can take a photo of your concerned expressions as evidence.” Meanwhile in the offices of the British Geological Survey ……… 🙂
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Did you feel the tremors?
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That is an amazing photo! but have to agree that is not concern on Lord Mantle’s face. Glad he got his cumuppance.
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I was laughing so much, I made them reinact their reaction while I got my camera out!
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