The Plank

The Plank is actually wooden two planks, balancing on top of each other. The cats and I walk the Plank when we want to cross the water race to the newer gardens by the Willow tree.

Planting by the Plank

It is the last bridge on our twilight walking circuit, a bit bouncy and on a bit of an angle. Cats don't notice this, but humans can get a bit of a surprise.

The Plank - an Early Picture

Walking the Plank

The Plank was first thrown over the water race well before any gardens existed on the other side. The position chosen was quite arbitrary, and it was used for walking access. This soon changed to walking-with-wheelbarrow access, after the gum trees over the water race were chopped down (in the winter of 1999).

In the Spring of 2000 the new gardens started quietly spreading along the water race, and The Plank became an important landmark, chosen to mark the end of the Dog-Path Garden.

Jerome on a Mission

Low to the Water

The Plank is the lowest bridge to the water. It's fun to stand sideways in the middle watching the water rushing past, as The Plank springs gently up and down like a diving board. Jerome often stops half way across to sit in a cat trance. When people do this they are usually dreaming about the meaning of life. Jerome's mid-plank dreamings would be much more down to earth.

A Wobbly Plank

I've become reasonably good at wheeling heavily laden wheelbarrows over The Plank, both forwards and backwards, though once I did tip two bales of pea-straw mulch over the side. Another time the whole wheelbarrow overbalanced and went down. I felt so guilty as the weedy contents floated off downstream. I have fallen off The Plank into the water once - it was in a super-wobbly mood.

In heavy frosts the Plank can be icy. Taj-dog found this out on one of his winter morning walks, sliding sideways into the water race. It was a timely reminder to his walking people companions, who were not even wearing sensible shoes.

Water-Side Garden Borders

Now The Plank marks the division between two colourful waterside garden borders - the Dog-Path Garden to the left and the recently developed Willow Tree Garden to the right. I am resisting all suggestions to replace this piece of Moosey memorabilia.

The Plank Closed for Repairs - February 2005

Urgent Update - The Condition of The Plank

In late January 2005 one of the approaches to The Plank washed away, catapulting a startled garden visitor into the water. As of writing, The Plank is closed for repairs.

Sifter Crossing the Plank - From the Archives

The Plank may have to be relegated to the Moosey archives, like Sifter the cat (who left us for greener pastures some years ago).