THE DECK BUILDERS; A BOWERBIRD & BOB

Recently I have been struck by the similarities in building style between our local  male bowerbird and my partner Rob, aka Bob the Builder. The pair are simultaneously  constructing ‘decks’ here in the Blue Mountains at Blackheath. It’s all about precision, and never settling for second best. Time spent on the projects appears to be of much less consequence.

A FEW CENTIMETRES MIGHT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

Are you sure you have measured that correctly Bob?

I’LL TRY IT HERE FOR THE MOMENT.

Meanwhile, back in the park a longer beam seems to be required. By the way, I suspect most of those milk bottle tops are the result off my addiction to hot milk and Baileys.

Next morning…and Bob is now concentrating on boards of shorter length.

IT’S A WORK OF ART!

The bowerbird’s deck seems to be taking precedence over the bower itself. It will soon be as high in the middle as the bower!

This is what he should be doing; putting some finishing touches inside!

Oh dear me, the same thing could be said for Bob. How long has that picture been sitting there?

Look as this, something I have never seen before. Mr Bowerbird has started moving all his blue treasures to the outer perimeter of the deck. That’s very odd. What effect will it have on potential partners who visit?  Apparently. as they say on TV cooking shows, he wants the deck to be the hero.

I think he would do well to remember that the whole object is to lure local ladies into the grass boudoir. (This does not apply to Bob I hasten to add.)

Good grief, it seems Bob the Builder has had the same idea re peripheral decorations. And would you believe it…they both have a penchant for shades of creamy yellow and blue.

I couldn’t resist a little joke.  Mind you, within half an hour the bowerbird had pinched the lot.

BOB’S BOTTLETOPS

A  HAZARD  FOR A HUMAN IN DECK BUILDING 😨

Alas, one of Bob’s planks ended up in his finger.

After trying to get it out himself and making a complete mess of things  he had to give in and go to our local GP.  By now his finger was so swollen that Dr. Ali couldn’t find the splinter either, so it was off for an ultrasound. We feared the next step might be day surgery in hospital, but fortunately Dr Ali, guided by the ultrasound pic, was able to do the job himself  then pop in a stitch. The removed wood might be useful in plugging any small gaps in the finished deck.

Post surgery!

There is no logical place to end this piece. Do you know why? Because despite their hard labour and enthusiasm,  the completion of the work is nowhere in sight for either Mr Bowerbird or my Bob. 😎