Over the last couple of days, some of our big trees came down, creating new horizons. If you have stayed with us at Vineyard Cottages, you will know just how lucky we are to have so many stunning native and European trees throughout the property. A friend’s husband who is a professional arborist, came out when we took over the property and was in awe of the variety of trees we had in our charge. One Saturday morning we went around the grounds with note books in hands and he named each and every tree, shrub and plant. There were over 50.
I struggled and struggled when it came to having some of the big guys removed. For years they have towered above the cottages, providing shade in the summer, blossoms in the spring, amazing colour in the autumn and stark contrast in the winter. But it was time to say goodbye to some and prune others to allow new growth to flourish. Luckily we have a great local team of arborists on hand who rolled in early on Wednesday morning and got to work creating space. It was goodbye to the huge lilly pilly (monkey apple) next to Sauvignon Blanc Cottage which had grown so large it cut most of the light out in the corner of the drive. Once it was down, we could see to the back fence line and the collection of native trees that runs along the creak. The property instantly felt longer and more open and as hard as it was to see it down, the creation of so much space is wonderful.
The hardest tree to say goodbye to was the large Ash in the middle next to the plum trees. Over the last few years it has cracked and dropped its limbs on the driveway. The moment the first rains came after long bouts of heat in the summer, cracks would appear in the branches. The glorious carpet of leaves it would drop on the drive was the real signal winter was on its way, but I was beginning to get nervous about it causing damage. It was time to go. This morning I was in the vineyard with the dogs and looked out across the roof of Sauvignon Blanc to discover a whole view I had not scene before. It had been hidden behind the beautiful ash tree, but without it, we can see for miles and miles. So while I worried about losing the big guys, we have been able to give a whole load of little trees room to grow and we can see fabulous new horizons. I think there is a lesson to be learnt in that!
So if you’ve been thinking about coming to stay, nows the time! The winter special is on. Book two nights and stay for three!
