For some time, years in fact, our front fence has been in need of repair. Peeling paint, rotted posts, rusted bolts and a gate held shut by orange twine.
A carpenter does the serious work removing the pickets, dismantling and then rebuilding the posts and rails with new timber before refixing the pickets.
Our task seemed so simple, to paint the new timber and then clean, sand and paint the 190 pickets. I never knew it would take so long.
Each day begins with a watchful eye on the weather. Winter rain and the small size of our backyard means the painting is spread over weeks rather than the expected days. Hard to believe that some people find this sort of activity satisfying or therapeutic.
