Rooting about

I glibly said yesterday that I would chop down the forsythia in the back garden and take it to the tip. I used to hate it when people said "It's just a five minute job" because they never are. It has taken me two days to get rid of the forsythia because of the roots. The bush itself was chopped into pieces and put in the recycling bags within an hour. It was the roots that took the time! I did look at hiring a machine to do the job but at over a hundred quid a day, I decided against it. I took a break to go shopping with Barbara this morning but the rest of the day has been chopping. I have been to the tip but the really worrying thing is that there are a couple of other bushes to come out in our redevelopment plans!
On Tuesday, we went out with the local RSPB group. Barbara was undecided until Tuesday morning. As it dawned bright and dry, she decided to come. We went out to Patrington Haven and then to Spurn. There were around twenty of us altogether with several wives. We were treated to a display by a large mixed flock of Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin. They swirled in the distance and gradually got nearer and landed in the lagoon we were watching. They all took off and swirled and spun then gradually flew away. When they changed direction, it was audible. Very spectacular.
We had to leave early because I had a meeting at Willersley at 4pm. The journey was trouble free so we were early. I dropped Barbara off and went up by myself. The meeting was to organise the Christmas Fayre. Somehow I also got the job of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve! Can't say that retirement is boring!