Winter is coming

Not that "Game of Thrones" winter but the more realistic season of snow and cold weather.
As we walked out of the forest this tractor was moving along the road. First it drilled a hole next to the road, then an arm picked up a stick and inserted it forcefully into the hole. Each stick has a spray of reflective paint on it so the cars and snowplows will be able to see the edge of the road when darkness and that winter eventually arrive.
The marker poles have evolved in the last 15 years. At the start they were all made of orange plastic. Those are now reserved for special places, the start of a crash barrier, a bridge etc. Next the majority of the markers were made of bamboo. More environmentally friendly and undoubtedly cheaper. This year evolution continues and the bamboo poles have been replaced by locally grown wooden staves, as seen in the picture.
It all felt a little strange as we stood watching this preparation for winter, dressed in our shorts and preferring the shade to the sun because it was so warm!
The extra picture shows Claire and some of her 70th birthday cake.