Gardening

One of the issues that one of the neighbours have had is that there used to be a row of tall cupressus trees that screened them from the rectory. That meant people could visit the rectory without the neighbours knowing and gave a degree of privacy to people who wanted to consult  the vicar. The bottom branches of the trees have largely been taken out and now the neighbours can see who is coming and going. In a small village they feel that's information they don't need.

So on Sunday (after an 8.00 communion service) we were planting shrubs between the cupressus and the neighbours (it's a big garden with plenty of room) that will grow into a bit of a screen. In the photo lined up and ready to plant they look quite impressive, but planted they're going to need to grow a bit!  There's an interesting lot of fungi growing. Anyone recognise this?

Inside the house work is till racing ahead. Today the builder said that the work inside should be about finished by the end of this week, other than fitting a kitchen and bathroom. 

Foxy Lady

That's the name of one of the beers brewed and sold at The Fox, one of the two pubs within walking distance of Hanley Rectory (actually the only two pubs in the whole of the six villages that make up the Teme Valley South group!). And very pleasant the beer is too.
We went there to eat yesterday evening after spending the latter part of the afternoon & early part of the evening gardening. We managed to liberate an acer which had become almost entirely overgrown. The work on the inside of the house is gathering pace. After a slow start the builders are now cracking on and have promised to pull the stops out to have it done by the date they originally promised.
Thursday morning I had a useful meeting with churchwardens sorting out details of the licensing service and what's happening in November and December.