Ken (on ground) and Mackie (up the ladder) are shifting scaffolding for the annual painting and lime- washing of the house. Mackie has worked his way around from the front courtyard to the back, painting chimneys, crowsteps, rones and a few windows. They decided to do it the old-fashioned way this year : no Octopussy 1465.

Mackie's height above the ground leads to some 'interesting' wildlife encounters. This week he's had a 'bird's-eye view' of sparrows nesting under the eaves, met some wasps at close quarters, and watched Bramley chase a mouse (pinching peanuts from the bird feeder) through the heather bank.