14.04.2025 Demolition man.

 ~o~

  Monday 14th 44F/6.7C. Overcast with light rain or showers this morning. Reaching 13C/55F. Brighter later this afternoon.  

 Up at 6.15 after a busy night. I must have got up 8 times. The culprit, myself, for my weakness. I consumed a beer and coffee after dinner. 

 Plans for today? Continue with the demolition, fetch more logs, visit the surgery to renew my prescriptions.  

 8-8.45 A walk around the spray tracks out on the fields. Spring has brought a sudden flush of foliage. The birds are calling and singing everywhere. Lots of Greenfinches but no swallows yet. Though I have seen perhaps half a dozen birds of prey over the last few days. Mostly Red kites but a couple of kestrels too. 

 I cannot understand why there aren't more roadside hedgerows being planted. There is much talk of planting forests to combat climate change. Hedgerows are multipurpose, beautiful and arguably more beneficial than newly planted forests. 

 Hedgerows don't usually take up farmer's valuable land. Since the verges are usually rough grass and weeds. Which could easily become cycle paths too. If the will and funding was there. 

 Not only do these hedgerows supply habitats and wildlife corridors. They shelter cyclists from the wind. Prevent snowfall from drifting across the road. Absorb road noise including tire roar. Noise is now considered a major cause of human ill health. There is often no escape for its billions of victims.

 I rode the superb cycle path on the eastern border of Assens yesterday. As I have done countless times over the years. Superb protection is provided from traffic noise and the cold wind. Simply by the quite narrow strip of woodland separating the cycle path from the busy main road. 

 It is always a pleasure to ride this path. As it winds uphill, or downhill, through the rapidly maturing tree and shrub growth. It is popular with cyclists, joggers and walkers alike. Often the elderly can be seen walking their dogs here. I always ride slowly to avoid disturbing other users as I pass them. Do nothing which could make other people nervous, afraid or angry. It could literally change their habits, or their lives.

 Back to the demolition. I have removed two long uprights and some joists. Using the Morris to provide the pull which I cannot. Even so, I am still very breathless. I am acutely aware that the four heavy lengths of 4x4 timber, forming the pier, are hanging over my head. Now held in place only by one short length of flooring. [Arrowed] 

 I managed to remove the lower board. The entire building has moved slightly away from the workshop and is no longer resting on the gutter.

 10.15 Back in for a rest, to cool off and to get my breath back. It has become very dark with sprinkles of rain. 

 11.30 I renewed my prescription and drove back to continue the demolition. The building has moved forwards but the pier will not pull free. Working within the structure is very risky. 

 So I am using the car, carefully and gently, to pull individual timbers away. Using two long ratchet straps joined in the middle. No metal parts to fly under tension and hit the car. Nor go straight through the rear glass and hit me.

 The bayonet saw could cut through the timbers but again this is very risky. I would be under the overhanging timbers. The entire structure is currently held up by the front left joists. Which are resting on the earlier heap of timbers and plywood. I am not quite sure how best to proceed. There is no obvious, quick fix. 

 14.15 Patience is a wotsit. Though it doesn't keep me cool. I sawed through the bases of the timbers still held by the steel work. This freed the pier timbers enough that the car could pull them individually free. Now stacked to the left in the foreground. Another major hurdle overcome. I seem to have seriously overbuilt my observatory.

 I am making no effort to save all the "electrics." They have been in use for eight years in damp conditions. Open to the elements for some of that time. Why take the risk in saving a few items? Which can usually be obtained cheaply at most supermarkets.

 14.30 58F/14C. Sunny periods. I had better have a rest. 

 16.30 Finished stacking the logs I just collected in the trailer. A wheelbarrow full is piled on the floor. As there was no room for more. I am hot and tired after a busy day.

 

Dinner:  I had a pack of organic sausages in the fridge past their best by date. So I decided to cook them all. Keeping it simple with a two egg omelette poured over the top. 

 It seems they let out the most dangerous inpatients from the lunatic asylums for the Paris-Rubaix. Mathieu van der Poel was hit with a full drinks can. As well as having beer thrown over him. The drinks can incident should attract a charge of attempted manslaughter or even attempted murder. The beer thrower charged with assault with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm. Make an example of these sick, raving fuckwits and put an end to their evil behaviour. They think it's all about them. Let's make it all about them. Throw away the key! Let them rot!

 

 ~o~