Road Closed!

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Today we have the somewhat exciting operations of what is termed "Heavy Plant" in full swing outside our house. Actually, the machines look more like alien life forms or enormous yellow dinosaurs than large trees or pumpkin vines or other such weighty vegetation. The biggest machine by far is at least 50 feet long and supported by four caterpillar tracks. It has a long neck like a diplodocus which vomits the results of its operations into a truck. When at work, it lowers its belly onto the road surface and planes a couple of inches off it with its horrendous rotating teeth. I am astounded and fascinated by the skill with which one man drives this monster. Not only does he control the four independently swivelling caterpillar tracks but he also has to direct the nose of the beast so that the gritty results of its eating go into the waiting lorry and not anywhere else. I have tried to take photos of the progress of this very complex project of resurfacing the entire High Street but I can never seem to be in the right position to take good, clear shots. The picture here is one from Wikipedia. The whole project involves a great deal of planning (as well as planing!) because, of course, people must be allowed to get in and out of their driveways as much as possible whilst the work is in progress. I have to say that the consideration and politeness of the workmen has always been exemplary and it's only today, when they are laying the final surface, that we are either house-bound or have to park our cars elsewhere!