But needs must and with Col's brother busy with Stock Car meetings so not able to get here for a while to use the mighty petrol strimmer I decided to send off for a battery one that I can use on the smaller areas. It was odd that the topic came up with one of the ladies I was sitting with at the WI garden party and she said her daughter got her a mid-range Black and Decker which was about half the weight and price of a Bosch one they had had before, and it seemed pretty good.
So that's what I sent for.
It came and by reading the instruction book - something Col never bothered with beyond a quick glance - I was able to fit the handle, charge the battery, fit the safety guard and work out how to make the thing go.
I swapped from shorts to trousers and from crocs to wellies and I was off.
And it works!
Another new skill learned.
And while getting at some of the grass under one of the shrubs in the garden I spotted 4 more bee orchids and one more pyramid orchid and avoided chopping them down........... hopefully even more next year.
So when Andrew finally gets here to help me out there will just be the big stuff all around the boundary hedges for him to do.
Now I need to get some upper arm strength so I can tackle the front hedge with the hedge cutter.
(I now have a dilemma - BiL says he can come next Saturday afternoon to do everything. BUT I have a ticket for a talk at Felixstowe Book Festival. Do I (a) risk asking him if he can come Sunday instead - he probably has other plans, do I (b) cancel him coming over..... but the hedge and big strimming desperately need doing and if he doesn't come Saturday he's probably busy most weekends in July, or do I (c) just quietly forget about Felixstowe) ??
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I am so glad to hear you got this and like it. I've been thinking about getting one myself. We have an electric one and I hate it. Besides the cord getting in the way I just can't seem to get it working right without the line breaking. Do you have any trouble with the line on this one? I'm beginning to feel like I just can't work these things and it should not be that hard!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Felixstowe Book Festival goes - don't miss it! You've planned it and you should go. I'd see if he can help out another day.
A brilliant new toy- well done, you! There seem to be several light weight rechargeable things like that around at the moment. I saw an ad for a Gtech one (I think it was that brand) the other day and thought that if I had a hedge I'd be looking seriously at it or something similar.
ReplyDeleteI'd go to the Book Festival - it can't be deferred.
xx
Its something I need to consider, I can't manage the one we have and when Gerard is ill the edges don't get done.
ReplyDeleteGood job on putting it together and then using it! As for the quandary - do what you want to do the most as life is too short and you can work another day. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDelete1. Read the instruction manual as a very last resort.
ReplyDelete2. I wouldn’t miss Felixstowe. Will cake help if you change the date?
It's a pity to miss either. Do you really need to be there while he does the garden?
ReplyDeletei do a few of the hedges and bushes with mine , can you angle the head on yours?
ReplyDeleteWell done on learning another new skill.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Colin's brother, knowing your passion for books will understand about Felixstowe.
He certainly doesn't understand my passion for books! Thinks I have way too many! and reading is a waste of time!
DeleteI have a similar one from Aldi, saves all the faffing around getting the extension out.
ReplyDeleteI suggest that you talk to BIL and see what he suggests. He may find it easy to move the day, or it may not be possible. You can perhaps work something out. I also think you should wear each new skill like a medal!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful a thing to have. I certainly wouldn't cancel your ticket, that's your treat, whatever else you decide to do you go to Felixstowe Book Festival!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new toy. I would say go to the book festival I am sure your BIL would want you to go and you might be able to change the day. I had a lovely day with my son on Saturday and he did a few jobs for me, especially putting the netting down and covering the gravel. I get hay fever very bad some years and after Stephen went home my eyes were bad and all day yesterday and it is still bad now, I get so frustrated because I want to do so much in the garden, never mind at least I no what it is and will go soon.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased you found the Orchids.
Hazel c uk
Hazel, hayfever is aweful, I now don't take any medication since I started using local honey.
DeleteJust find out from the local beekeepers who has the nearest hives and take a Tablespoon a day of honey collected in your area.
5 years ...no tablets 😁
Book Festival! (Do you have to be there when the hedge is cut?) In a previous garden I had a mid-sized strimmer which I loved. Cordless, it would cut for around half-an-hour on a charge, which was perfect in terms of arm strength. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteThe hedge and strimming can wait. What difference does it make, not a jot. Getting out and about does though so I would go to Felixstowe. I am sure BIL will say fine, we'll see about another time.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I would put the dilemma to BiL and see if a solution can be made. I definitely wouldn’t miss Felixstowe.....anything book related takes precedence lol.....
ReplyDeleteDo the book festival!
ReplyDeleteMay be consider whether you need to be there when he comes? Does he have a key or could you leave one for him which would enable you to go to the festival. Or may be see if he can do another weekend would be a shame for you to miss the festival when you will have planned your visit.
ReplyDeleteMx
As others have said Sue, go to the book festival. I am sure your BIL would not want you to miss it.
ReplyDeleteIf the tools can be left accessible for him and you can tell him ahead of time what needs doing, he will be fine.
Well done on getting to grips with your new toy.
Pam in Texas.x
I have a similar trimmer. My only wish is that there were three batteries. I never seem to finish the whole property and it's a series of waiting for charging to happen again. But I like the weight of it because the bigger gas powered ones are too heavy for me. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteGo to Felixstowe! BiL may not understand your love of books, but he should understand your need to go to something you have already paid for and find so enjoyable. It isn't like you can postpone your event to the following week.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, BiL doesn't need you there to do the work (you could leave him directions on what you need done). And perhaps leave behind his favorite treat (e.g. beer, cake, etc, etc). And if you must be there for him to do the work, reschedule him!
Go to Felixstowe! Can't resist anything to do with books. Maybe BIL can come over another day or do the things without you there. I'm sure he'll understand. You deserve a treat! The garden will still be there waiting lol
ReplyDeleteOh, well done, Sue! I think you are amazing how you have coped and you've learned new skills simply because you've had to. And it looks a nice little machine, too!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Can you trust him not to raze it to the ground without you being there to oversee the job? My advice for what it’s worth, is go and leave him to it!
ReplyDeleteLX
I would see if he could come another day before I cancelled my plans.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Well done with the new toy. Go to the book thing.
ReplyDeleteAh just dilemmas we have to face when we suddenly are left alone eh Sue. Good luck with solving the problem.
ReplyDeleteWell done on sorting your new trimmer, I have a battery operated one and it takes the same battery as my cordless drill so I can swap them fully charged.
ReplyDeleteI could never work the ones with trim line that feeds out...the new one has a little plastic piece that is replaced when it wears down..easy !
I got a small Worx trimmer last year and I love it. It came with 2 batteries so one is always fully charged, and it is light enough for me to handle. I just told Pete today that I really need to learn how to mow with the ride-on tractor and this winter use the tractor with the snow blower. Hopefully I will never have to use them, but best to be prepared. I agree that you should go to the Book Festival. If he can't change the date, is it really that bad to have messy bushes for a while? Would hate for you to miss the festival.
ReplyDelete"Do what you must do first, then if you can, do what you want to to do." My motto for life w chronic illness, but it works for life in general. Ditch the book talk thing. Sorry.
ReplyDeletelizzy
I got myself a battery strimmer for use at the van, it is brilliant. So much better than waiting for man power to use a big petrol one.
ReplyDeleteDo not ditch the book thing! Leave him a picnic lunch if the only day he can come is the Saturday. You do not HAVE to fit in with everyone else's lives ... especially when it comes to book ;-)