Peeling back the layers

Just when when we thought that getting a drain to flow in the right direction was a glorious moment, now we have another job needing our urgent attention. Rescuing the little farmhouse from layers and layers of vines that had succumbed the exterior of both the entrance-genkan and the extension area. In a funny way it felt like we were allowing the house to breath again. As you will see under all that vine there are aluminum doors and there was no way we could open them with the vines entwined all over them. Remember its been 8 years since we did any major clean up on the place, so this is what time can do.

Over the years it shouldn't be of any surprise that people were dumping unwanted items at our front door. After all it was the sad, neglected little farm house. However a big thank you to the person who left a very useable ladder behind and the blue tarp you can see weighed down with a rock. We would be needing that for later! And that ladder came in very handy for pulling our friend the vine off the roof.

After a bit of pulling and slashing at the vines, the extension door finally opened. We enjoy the small accomplishments at Oba chan chi's! 

But there was so much more to go until it was finally cleared. We even got into those side trees. Years ago, the pathway beside the house where you can see the lopped tree stumps was the original road, yes I said road! This is Japan after all. 

So I guess Oba chan planted these trees as a kind of barrier. The plan is to finally pull them out for a spoon drain along the side of the house, but that is for another day and another post. It's time for another onsen!