Thankless task

This morning when I ncrossed the carpark Andrew was pushing the "Billy Goat", our mechanical leaf sweeper up and down clearing the leaves. By the time I returned half an hour later it was as covered with leaves as an hour ago, but in reality much had changed. He had in fact filled three big bags and although they seemed to be falling faster than he could collect clear them he must be making a difference- or so I tried to convince myself.

In reality the weather has been  absolutely perfect for clearing leaves off the trees, dry and crisp with just enouigh breeze to help usher them to the ground. Its a shame its not a wee bit stronger and we could simply wait and collect them all from the side of the fence by the hill. One year sometime ago I managed to persude a helicopter pilot who was dropping some guests off to leave rather more cautiously and take a spin round the house, we simply stood by untill he had departed and with a small team rushed out and collected the large piles which had ammassed. In truth it was job done in one afternoon. However this year there are no friendly pilots and it will be a long thankless task- except that we do appreciate it really!