Our House!

Whilst out in the garden today, Angus Says Hello!

YEDL our electrical supplier were fiddling with the electrical supply again today! So I stayed at home to "baby-sit" the fish house, whilst it was on generator power from 8am this morning, supply was back on at 2.30pm.

So I decided to cut our massive hedge, we have a number of hedges that surround the front garden, there are two hedges that border the driveway, a typical hedge-row of blackthorn, hawthorn, bramble etc and a privet hedge, if only I knew someone with stick-insects they would have food for a year! Total length of hedge which needs cutting is approx 300ft, and the driveway has been rapidly disappearing, with the warm/wet weather. Another typical hedge-row of blackthorn, hawthorn, bramble etc surrounds the front garden, this has grown over 10ft in height!

My brother an RHS Qualified Garden Landscaper at Groundscaper recommended I purchase a Stihl HS45 Petrol Edger (West Country slang for Hedge Trimmer!).

Although expensive, it cuts through my hedges like a knife through butter. You have to be a bit careful with the privet hedge, because before you know, you've cut two foot off without noticing! Although it weighs approx 4.9kg with fuel, it's Anti-vibration system and ergonomics make it easier to cut with for long periods of time.


A view down the drive from house, before privet-hedge was cut


A view up the drive towards house, before privet-hedge was cut. The hedgerow on the rights has already been cut.


A view up the drive towards house, before privet-hedge was cut.


Close-up of privet-hedge before it was cut


Privet-hedge after the hedge was cut taken from the house looking down the drive. Another tip from my brother an RHS Qualified Garden Landscaper at Groundscaper, before cutting, lay a tarpuline under the hedge to collect, hedge trimmings, move along the hedge as you cut, quick and easy to clear-up afterwards!


Privet-hedge after the hedge was cut taken from the house lookign down the drive. In the distance is the green reycycle bin to take to the tip, with hedge cuttings. It's not difficult cutting hedges, it's all the clippings you need to tidy up afterwards.


Privet-hedge after the hedge was cut taken from the house looking down the drive.


Privet-hedge after the hedge was cut taken towards the house looking down the drive.


Close-up of the privet-hedge after cutting.

It was a very early morning start on June 15th 2008, we were up at 4.50am, to meet the Balloon recovery crew at Naburn Locks, Naburn at 6.00am. The morning was warm/cool and very calm, no wind. I helped inflate the envelope (the bit above the basket!) for 10 minutes before, the burners were switched on to inflate the envelope fully. We took off at approx 7.00am, and the balloon flight lasted about 1hr 15mins, and we reached a maximjum altidude of appropx 1000ft.

Anyway, watch the video highlights and have a look at the photographs. I've had to split the video into two parts, because YouTube, only now allows 10 minute videos.



Andy's Hot Air Balloon Adventure Video Part 1
Part I includes setting up and balloon and inflating the envelope.



Andy's Hot Air Balloon Adventure Video Part 2
Part 2 includes some views during flight and coming into land, although cameras and video had to be stowed before landing.

Here are the photographs of the Hot Air Balloon flight.



Andy's Hot Air Balloon Adventure Pictures from June 15th 2008

Video to come...

Good Luck to Elliot Minor with the Release of "Time After Time" and their Upcoming 2008 European Tour!