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Original poster

We're trapped in the house!

321 replies

Frequency · 15/01/2023 22:06

A hedge has fallen in front of the gate and we cannot get out of the front garden. And Amazon cannot get in to deliver the chain saw we ordered a couple of days ago when we noticed the hedge was starting to look a bit out of control and the branches were too thick for the hedge trimmer.

I'm thinking if we use the hedge trimmer on the smaller branches and try a normal saw on the thicker branches we might be able to get it small enough to climb over/through but we cannot start until it is light and it doesn't get light until after DD leaves for school.

I can't tell the school the truth can I? They won't believe DD cannot get to school because she can't get out of the front garden, will they?

OP posts:
Tiani4 · 15/01/2023 23:22

Why can't you climb out a windows at the front?

Of course you can tell school they you have had a bush fall down and block your exit and you are trying to get that sitter but she won't be in

But really if you are absolutely trapper in your house then it is a welfare issue that you can report and the fire brigade will help

PriamFarrl · 15/01/2023 23:23

Perhaps I’m not getting the scale here, but why can’t you just drag it out of the way?

justgettingthroughtheday · 15/01/2023 23:24

Tiani4 · 15/01/2023 23:22

Why can't you climb out a windows at the front?

Of course you can tell school they you have had a bush fall down and block your exit and you are trying to get that sitter but she won't be in

But really if you are absolutely trapper in your house then it is a welfare issue that you can report and the fire brigade will help

How would climbing out a window help? 🙄
The hedge is blocking access into her front garden. She can get out of the house just not out the garden!

Tiani4 · 15/01/2023 23:24

I just can't see how an adult can't loom out of and climb out of the front window to try to move it. ? Bushes aren't heavy and even if you knocked on a few doors you'd get some help to move if

TrashyPanda · 15/01/2023 23:24

Loppers can get through quite sturdy branches. Would be better than a hedge trimmer and quicker too.

do you have a saw you can use?

it’s amazing how effective hand tools can be on hedges and tree branches

Original poster
Frequency · 15/01/2023 23:28

I tried pulling it out of the way after Just Eat phoned. The branches move but there's too many of them to pull it far enough to the side to get through the gate and too many to force your way through them. I think the weight of the lighter branches falling from the top has pushed the thicker branches (the ones we ordered the chain saw for) further down.

This has happened before but the branches were thinner then and we could push our way through and use the hedge trimmer on it. It's grown since then.

Someone was meant to come and cut it down completely just before Christmas but they got Covid and canceled and we never got around to rearranging it.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 15/01/2023 23:31

very glad it didnt fall on top of anyone!

justasking111 · 15/01/2023 23:34

@Frequency is anyone in your home proficient in the use of a chainsaw?

twoandcooplease · 15/01/2023 23:35

I'm here for tomorrows chainsaw updates. I wonder if the Amazon driver will think their boss is testing them about throwing it over your fence

Noodlehen · 15/01/2023 23:35

Tiani4 · 15/01/2023 23:24

I just can't see how an adult can't loom out of and climb out of the front window to try to move it. ? Bushes aren't heavy and even if you knocked on a few doors you'd get some help to move if

why would she climb out the window when she could just walk out her front door? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Crispynoodle · 15/01/2023 23:42

Doesn't help but after my 10 year old DD gave her 5 year old sister a haircut one evening before school I had to take the younger one for an emergency hair cut. I sent her in late to school saying 'sorry Felicity is late she was having a bad hair day' Grin

DanFmDorking · 15/01/2023 23:45

I would contact 'Fire and Rescue' (used to be 'Fire Service' now called 'Fire and Rescue Service')

Their duties are:
extinguishing fires in their area. protecting life and property in the event of fires in their area. rescuing and protecting people in the event of a road traffic collision, and. rescuing and protecting people in the event of other emergencies.

Tell them the situation and they might well come out and help you.

Original poster
Frequency · 15/01/2023 23:48

I really don't think it is an emergency. We're warm and dry, have food and water, and a plan to escape tomorrow. And like I said if the need was dire we could scramble our way through/over the rose bushes.

The dog might start classing it as an emergency tomorrow when he can't get his morning walk.

OP posts:
BrutusMcDogface · 15/01/2023 23:49

The most important question that I can’t believe nobody has asked:

Did you get your Just Eat delivery in the end?! Was it thrown over the top of the rose bushes?!

DanFmDorking · 15/01/2023 23:50

@Frequency - I'm not saying it's an emergency - just tell them the situation - "I'm sorry to bother you but I can't get out ..."

Original poster
Frequency · 15/01/2023 23:55

Yes, we got our food. It was gently dropped over the rose bushes. The straws for the drinks were a bit soggy because the drinks tipped but only a bit leaked out.

OP posts:
BrutusMcDogface · 15/01/2023 23:55

Phew! I’m so glad for you! Good luck with the escape mission tomorrow!

BeGentlePeeps · 15/01/2023 23:57

I love the escalation drama of this thread.

sorry for you guys- you sound eminently sensible! hope forecast is good for the morning and I’m sure school will be gentle.

For those shouting ‘call firebrigade, it’s a hazard’- I suspect same as those needing emergency on day doctor’s appointments for ingrown toenails in case it causes sepsis. Please pause and reflect.

Best wishes and happy sawing tomorrow OP and fam!

U1sce · 15/01/2023 23:58

If you have rose bushes you must have secateurs yo trim them back - so can you not trim back the roses (its the right time of year to reduce them by half anyway) enough to get into that gap on the left side of the pic? You can always lay blankets over the sides of the roses that you'll have to pass between to avoid being hurt/snagged by the thorns

DanFmDorking · 15/01/2023 23:59

@Frequency - please tell me what county you're in, I'll get you the 'Fire and Rescue Service' non emergency number and 'PM' it to you.

PriamFarrl · 16/01/2023 00:00

U1sce · 15/01/2023 23:58

If you have rose bushes you must have secateurs yo trim them back - so can you not trim back the roses (its the right time of year to reduce them by half anyway) enough to get into that gap on the left side of the pic? You can always lay blankets over the sides of the roses that you'll have to pass between to avoid being hurt/snagged by the thorns

Or cut back the problematic bush.

Schnooze · 16/01/2023 00:02

How exciting!

Nightfeedwatcher · 16/01/2023 00:04

Tiani4 · 15/01/2023 23:24

I just can't see how an adult can't loom out of and climb out of the front window to try to move it. ? Bushes aren't heavy and even if you knocked on a few doors you'd get some help to move if

How can she knock on a few doors when she can’t get out…the whole point of this thread 😂

Oakbeam · 16/01/2023 00:05

it’s amazing how effective hand tools can be on hedges and tree branches

And with much less risk of inadvertently chopping off bits of your anatomy than a with chainsaw.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 16/01/2023 00:07

Oh for God’s sake. Surely no-one can be this pathetic or attention-seeking?