The end of sleeping beauty's castle

Where I grew up everything is green, moist, mainly overcast, and lush.

Where I live now we do not see clouds for about 9 months of the year. On the one hand, the endless sunshine

is wonderful. On the other hand, water is scarce and things tend to grow very, very slowly.

So whenever something is green in my garden it doesn't get touched. I know that this is not the best approach.

I also know that plants do (allegedly :-) ) better when they get cut back regularly.

Still, I just can't bring myself to do it.

The bougainvillea in front of the house has been growing unhindered since we moved in 7 years ago, and has

turned the stoep into a castle for sleeping beauty (she can be found there most Sundays, sporting a book and a

cup of tea):

Unfortunately, it got too heavy for the roof beam, and we ended up with this (I wedged a board underneath, and then

went on to happily ignore the situation for a couple of weeks):

But last Sunday I got evicted from my favorite winter reading spot (the sunlight just dapples through the leaves and

it is soooo comfy!), by two men carrying big gardening shears:

Despite some feeble protest I knew that it could not be avoided any longer. After apologizing profoundly to the plant,

I took Eva and the dogs for a long walk.

When we got back the bougainvillea had gotten a serious haircut, and my stoep had turned from a secluded, secret place

into an open and very visible area:

To be quite honest, I do not like it one bit. But I know it had to be done. I also know it is far from finished yet.

My man and a friend installed a similar (but much more elegant) version of my quick solution.

When we have some money left over the whole construction will have to be replaced:

Hopefully, by then I will have gotten used to being lazy in plain view of the common folk ...

Lots of love,