Rooster Bridge

Rooster

Rooster Bridge is named after our first rooster. He was the subject of a university bonding and imprinting experiment. He came to live with us just when he was fully feathered.

Rooster started off being a good gardening companion. He would poke around and peer into planting holes, and I'd have to hide any worms I uncovered. As he was hand-reared, he was totally tame.

I remember one windy day when he helped me paint the fence with brown stain. He got rather speckled.

Looking Downstream

Bad Rooster Habits

Then rooster reached puberty, and he developed some rather bad habits. He grew spurs, and became totally pecky. Unattached gumboots or plastic cat bowls would be subjected to displays of sexual passion.

White gumboots were considered to be a rival rooster (he himself was a large white) and if the wearer tried to kick him away he would attack with full rooster force. He was hilarious, but at the same time quite dangerous, and had to be contained on the other side of the water race.

There was a narrow old bridge covered with slippery broken planks, which led to the old Hen House. Stephen did some major repairs, and then designed a gate midway across. Wheelbarrows could still fit through, but roosters were definitely banished to the other side of the water race. He couldn't quite gain enough altitude to fly across.

Rooster Bridge in Spring

The area over the water race has been further developed since these photos were taken.

Rooster Bridge and Gunnera

Gunnera Plantings

Rooster Bridge links the top of the Wattle Woods to the Hen House Gardens, with a path leading over the bridge. There is a seat nearby to enjoy the bridge and the plantings around it. Two large original flaxes at the water's edge take pride of place.

I've planted some Gunnera alongside Rooster Bridge, but at a distance, since I know how huge it will grow here.

On the other side of the bridge, there is a clump of ferns and some arum lilies in front of a coloured flax. This is a delightful area of the garden to work in, as it's shady and secluded.

I'd like to sleep out on Rooster Bridge one night. A foam mattress would just fit. I wonder if I'd hear some ghostly crowing in the moonlight...