Bridge and house update

Here are more pictures of the work on the bridge. Sorry for the blurriness of the first, I'm not a great camera-on-the-phone picture taker... They've supported the old wall now with telephone poles and created a concrete frame. They've also put up black erosion barriers on both sides of the road down by the water on the 151 side of the bridge and one just to the left in this first picture on the house side.

The brook is even lower, I didn't have to get my feet wet at all crossing this time: and the slippery moss on the rocks is drying out.

As for the yard/house: Bob and I mowed the yard (it was very healthy and long) and the field. I went in the house and put all the storm windows down, closed up the attic windows, and turned off the water heater. I turned on the heat to 52 degrees. I put the patio chairs in the barn. (The orange fish is still in the pond). We're supposed to have a brush of Tropical storm Hermine, and get the wind and rain, so I thought I should go ahead and do this. Hope that's okay. 

I checked the oil tank level while I was in the basement: it is between 3/8 and 1/2 full.

Then, since it was nearing supper time, we went over the the Haddam Neck Fair for supper and wandering. Of course we ran into family: had a very nice talk with Connie. And a great conversation with the guys in the Middlesex Land Trust booth who immediately remembered Dad and Aunt Sandy and the work Uncle Chuck did to get the land preserved in the first place, when I told them who I was. That was so comforting.

It's a cool 62 degrees this morning: Fall is coming!

Bridge work started

Here are some pictures of the bridge work. Bob and I went down this evening to check it out. We crossed the brook easily (it is still very low) to go up the hill and check on the house as well. The grass is long, but the house is fine. We brought home some of the perishable food (bread, potatoes, butter) that David left. The fridge is still on, but needs to be emptied: not sure of Eric's plan so we left it running. However, we did turn off the water but NOT the hot water heater yet. And the attic windows are still open.

Here are the pictures:

Looking towards the house

 We're standing on the edge of the bridge looking at the hole. The rocks appear to be from the old foundation.

Looking down into the hole.

 

 You can see the edge of the bridge in this picture. Bob is on the left.

 These are rocks falling down the embankment. See the backhoe up and to the left?

 We are under the bridge standing in the brook

 This is from the down stream side of the bridge

 Now we've crossed the brook and climbed up the hill. That's our car 'Bert' across the way.

 You can see the old foundation abutment under the old concrete slab here.

It's a not-too-hot August day. I stopped by to check on the house/yard and who should be there? David Whiteside! He was packing up to leave after spending parts of 2 1/2 weeks. He appreciated the opportunity to be there. We had a great time catching up together. He said he'd met Rene who was just down to check on the house and wander in the woods, and 2 of the bridge guys. They were checking the upper road to see if they could bring down some heavy equipment that way. David wasn't sure what they decided. We've had some rain, so the lawn looks green and is growing again.

Here's an update of Bob's and my visits to Thicut over the last couple weeks:

• The lawn's been mowed, twigs, etc cleaned up a bit around the crabapple tree, Bob's mowed the field around the fire pit.
• I've moved the calla lilies outside to get some sun and they are thriving: I watered the pot today.
• Mail keeps being delivered to the mailbox. When I checked today, it seemed to mostly be solicitations for donations and something from GEHA which I kind of recognized as NOT junk mail so I opened it and it's from your health insurance, Aunt Sandy. 
• There were a few messages on the answering machine from folks who don't know the new Bethesda number. I'm not sure if they're people you know or not, except several from Hilary Whittaker, someone in your phone's contact listed as 'JM' and someone named Gordon Schwen. There were also several messages from the CVS in Bethesda to renew a prescription. 
• Otherwise the pond has two huge frogs, I didn't see any fish this time.
• And: are you coming up for Valerie's wedding, Aunt Sandy? Let me know and I'll get a room ready here :)

Tree's cut up and welcome to summer!

 Rene and two of his employees came down yesterday and sawed up the tree. I have offered him some of the wood.

I brought bread, english muffins, eggs, and milk and some SoG coffee to get you going in the morning. Welcome to CT, Cynthia!

Quick update:
Rene Desjardins just called to apologize for not cutting up the tree sooner.(!)  He's very busy with his asphalt business, etc, etc. He went down to reconnoiter and saw the work Eric/Bob/Matt did. He'll try to go down early next week before you come and finish up... I told him not to worry it'll get done; he felt bad, and wants to give back for you letting him hunt and enjoy the woods, Aunt Sandy.
I went down earlier this week and got the milk you left and took home the eggs. I'll replace the eggs before you come again. Anything else I can stock before you come?