Friday, November 4, 2011
November on a Bright Day
November is not the favourite month of the year, but yesterday was very bright and cheery. A few more outdoor jobs were done and some beautiful spots noticed.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Our Not So Great Electrical Adventure
Sunday, Oct30th saw north eastern Nova Scotia being treated to an early season NorEaster. Most of Sunday was wet, but not very stormy. That seemed to change in the evening when strong winds came up. About 8PM we heard a terrific bang and the power went off. When we investigated, we discovered the entire electrical mast and meter had been torn off the house and the power pole in the front yard was down. Further investigation saw quite the destruction of our electrical panel.
A large branch from a maple tree had fallen on the power lines and pulled down our old and somewhat rotten pole.
James found all the external bits about 50-60 feet down towards the gully.
Our plight was reported to NSPower via our neighbor's phone since the phone lines were lying on the ground as well. Late that evening one of the willow trees completely uprooted just as James was driving down the driveway. He had his chain saw, so cut away part of the blockage then and there. He removed the rest the next morning.
An electrician was lined up to inspect the panel first thing Monday morning. That resulted in the need for an entirely new installation of both internal and external electrical stuff.
By late afternoon the new panel and associated parts were installed and inspected by the NS Power rep.
We were heartened to also see the big truck bearing a new power pole arrive mid-afternoon. We were somewhat concerned how this access to the pole site might happen without cutting down more trees or totally wrecking garden areas.
The tracked excavator was able to travel up the driveway, around the front lawn and "park" just above the gully bed to deliver the new pole and remove the old one.
The lawn received some "tracking", but this wasn't too serious. Bill went out yesterday and raked things smooth and tamped it down a bit. New grass will grow!
Remarkably, he managed not to demolish one of our favourite rhodies or a couple of Hydrangea.
Hole #1 was dug where the old pole came out and the pole lifted and put in place and back filled. I suspect there are some rather dishevelled Oriental Poppies in the immediate area!
Hole #2 was dug to install an anchor, the hole is about 5 feet deep.He managed to insert this in the bed rather than the lawn, so it may not be so "in the way". Aesthetic, it is not! Maybe I will paint the bright yellow sleeve green come spring.
The upheaval to this bed may have been a mixed blessing, since we have been trying to get some renovation done in this area.
It was late Monday and the Power guys hadn't come to hook up the new wires, so we spent another night in the cold and dark. Our generator didn't get used, but the fridges and freezers fared all right. Some camp stove coffee making was about the only heroics involved. Our neighbor very kindly invited us for supper on Monday. Our darkened house didn't see any Halloween visitors except Ava for a few minutes after her visit to town.
The linemen were on deck first thing Tuesday morning and very efficiently installed the new wires.
We were powered up by about 9AM.
Telephone service has been scheduled for repair Wednesday afternoon. All in all we were glad that no more damage was done.
A large branch from a maple tree had fallen on the power lines and pulled down our old and somewhat rotten pole.
James found all the external bits about 50-60 feet down towards the gully.
Our plight was reported to NSPower via our neighbor's phone since the phone lines were lying on the ground as well. Late that evening one of the willow trees completely uprooted just as James was driving down the driveway. He had his chain saw, so cut away part of the blockage then and there. He removed the rest the next morning.
An electrician was lined up to inspect the panel first thing Monday morning. That resulted in the need for an entirely new installation of both internal and external electrical stuff.
By late afternoon the new panel and associated parts were installed and inspected by the NS Power rep.
We were heartened to also see the big truck bearing a new power pole arrive mid-afternoon. We were somewhat concerned how this access to the pole site might happen without cutting down more trees or totally wrecking garden areas.
The tracked excavator was able to travel up the driveway, around the front lawn and "park" just above the gully bed to deliver the new pole and remove the old one.
The lawn received some "tracking", but this wasn't too serious. Bill went out yesterday and raked things smooth and tamped it down a bit. New grass will grow!
Remarkably, he managed not to demolish one of our favourite rhodies or a couple of Hydrangea.
Hole #1 was dug where the old pole came out and the pole lifted and put in place and back filled. I suspect there are some rather dishevelled Oriental Poppies in the immediate area!
Hole #2 was dug to install an anchor, the hole is about 5 feet deep.He managed to insert this in the bed rather than the lawn, so it may not be so "in the way". Aesthetic, it is not! Maybe I will paint the bright yellow sleeve green come spring.
The upheaval to this bed may have been a mixed blessing, since we have been trying to get some renovation done in this area.
It was late Monday and the Power guys hadn't come to hook up the new wires, so we spent another night in the cold and dark. Our generator didn't get used, but the fridges and freezers fared all right. Some camp stove coffee making was about the only heroics involved. Our neighbor very kindly invited us for supper on Monday. Our darkened house didn't see any Halloween visitors except Ava for a few minutes after her visit to town.
We were powered up by about 9AM.
Telephone service has been scheduled for repair Wednesday afternoon. All in all we were glad that no more damage was done.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Hydrangea...gripes and goodies
There are various Hydrangea that are still putting on a reasonable show.
One of the most peculiar performances is from 'Quick Fire'. It blooms a bit earlier than the regular PeeGee hydrangeas and turns a much darker pink.
It has this habit of putting out very vigorous shoots in the mid-season. It has been said these may bloom late, but I have seen no hint.
They have a tendency to give the plant a rather asymmetrical appearance, although the shoot is very attractive.
We have been quite pleased with the performance of our "ditch" Nikko Blue this year. There are still some nice fresh blue trusses, even though the older ones are turning a murky pink.
Perhaps the most annoying "Hydrangea non-event" is the steadfast refusal of 'Endless Summer' to bloom. It has grown well, but has shown no flower buds on either new or old wood.
Perhaps I will have to find a new home for it next year.
We have a large number of Hydrangea arborescens 'Grandiflora' that have been spectactular. Very large trusses were produced all season and there are still quite fresh white ones.
Our new pink H. arborescens seems to be settling in, so hopefully it will do well next year.
One of the most peculiar performances is from 'Quick Fire'. It blooms a bit earlier than the regular PeeGee hydrangeas and turns a much darker pink.
They have a tendency to give the plant a rather asymmetrical appearance, although the shoot is very attractive.
The PeeGee Hydrangeas are in the process of turning pink, and also some are quite droopy.
They often put on a lot of new growth with large , heavy trusses that inevitably fall after a rain or wind event. Perhaps a lighter pruning might mean smaller trusses.
We have been quite pleased with the performance of our "ditch" Nikko Blue this year. There are still some nice fresh blue trusses, even though the older ones are turning a murky pink.
Perhaps the most annoying "Hydrangea non-event" is the steadfast refusal of 'Endless Summer' to bloom. It has grown well, but has shown no flower buds on either new or old wood.
Perhaps I will have to find a new home for it next year.
We have a large number of Hydrangea arborescens 'Grandiflora' that have been spectactular. Very large trusses were produced all season and there are still quite fresh white ones.
Our new pink H. arborescens seems to be settling in, so hopefully it will do well next year.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Is white a fall colour?
Check out the link for some September Whites.
Is white a fall colour? - Garden Gallery - Canadian Gardening Forums
Is white a fall colour? - Garden Gallery - Canadian Gardening Forums
September Images
Finding spots of colour isn't as easy as it was earlier in the season. For more September pics , check the link...click slideshow mode.
September 2011
September 2011
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