Storm damaged tree

We had an electrical storm last Saturday afternoon (15 Dec) that came with strong wind gusts, rain and hail. Later we discovered that a large branch from our large Liquid Amber tree had broken off and fallen onto our neighbour's driveway. Fortunately there was not a car underneath or trapped. Together with a large area of northern suburbs of Sydney, we lost power for more than 24 hours.

The fallen branch did not appear large from our side.

But the neighbour's driveway was totally blocked.

We rang the SES (State Emergency Services). As expected, they were inundated with calls and ours was a minor problem in comparison with many urgent cases where properties were damaged. Still, they were able to come first thing on Monday morning. Their task was to clear free up the driveway and prevent the branch caught up in the tree from falling and injuring people.

A man was sent to the top of the broken branch, hauled up by the crane.

The branch was broken up piece by piece, each brought down by the crane.

On the ground three men cut the branches into manageable sizes.

Cleared driveway

In an hour it was all done and the driveway was cleared.

Where the branch broke.

Some of the debris were mulched but large pieces are left on the neighbours' lawn. We will arrange for these to be cut up and moved to the kerbside to be collected by the local Hornsby Council,

Fort Canning

We found time during a short Lunar New Year stopover to visit Fort Canning. We found a hidden gem, especially after the spruce up of recent years. The historic stuffs are still there, including the Battle Box (where the farcical defence of Singapore during the World War II was managed) and tombstones of old graves (remains exhumed). We enjoyed the walk along the well prepared paths, which was very comfortable with the gentle morning breeze and in the shade of the tall trees. The spice garden of nutmegs, cloves, curry leaf trees and pandan plants, as well as the old kramat were pleasant surprises.

General Percival has not been forgotten, with a road and a flight of steps kindly named after him.

Mythical animal on retaining walls.

Walking path

Percival Steps - downhill all the way (to Stamford Road)