Mrs Down's Diary April 29 2009

I even got into a bit of a hissy fitty spat with a friend about it '“ low level '“ as she thought it was a great idea and sent off for a bundle of the things. Which, as she says, she promptly forgot about and stuffed into a drawer and did nothing about. Till this week.

Jess, my granddaughter, and I had been to stay with these friends for a few days. They run a livery service and, as an ex riding instructress, I knew Jess would enjoy, riding under the tutelage of my friends expert advice.

Jess had a brilliant time. Totally in change of three lads older than herself, 12, 15 and 20. Each of them willing to indulge her in games of football, junior monopoly and scrabble, collecting eggs and feeding the rainbow trout. Heaven.

From a distance we could see the boys at work with their father cutting down branches of trees in their woods to make up into bags of logs for wood burners. Two of the boys came in to drive into town with us.

My friend's husband carried on with other work until time came to take their daughter for a driving lesson. The eldest son, left to go off into the woods to carry on chopping back branches. Alone. "Make sure you wear your goggles" his brother said. "Take your mobile with you so you can get in touch if you need anyone" his Mum added.

"Yeah yeah" came the response. "I'll ring if I need a wosses wambulance to go to wospital", and off he set.

As we returned later in the day, debating the merits of a McDonalds for the children (a heavy favourite) or home made macaroni cheese instead (a definite no) we had a phone call from my friend's daughter. "Has Daddy been in touch?"

"No"

"He's at the hospital with Steve . There's been an accident. They're in A and E and Steve is having to have his face stitched up and his eye. A branch flipped back into his eye and he had to walk home as he hadn't got his mobile and couldn't tell anyone what he'd done."

My friend was utterly calm. We decided to get the McDonalds and then at least the children were fed, and I would make tea for everyone else whilst she went to hospital. But being brothers how cruel could they get. "Wosses wambulance eh?" "We'll tell him what for. And he's going to get macaroni cheese and we're having a McDonalds".

Steve was a very lucky lad. Nearly blinded a cheek full of stitches, much bruised, torn tear duct that may or may not repair but fortunately no damage to his sight. My friend rushed to find the baler band knots to tie in every place she could think of that will present a danger. Accidents will happen on farms and with frightening speed at times. It can happen even if you are aware and told about the dangers. Even if you tie a knot of band around everything in sight.

And the brothers? Some sympathy as they could see how shocked their sibling was and the fact that he did look dreadful. But. "Serves you right. Perhaps you'll listen next time." Oh the joy of being virtuous and scoring one over on your brother.