Monday - Seed collecting
Four NCVs joined Kelly at the barn for the afternoon of seed collecting. The first job was to fill the seed sucking machine with petrol and see if we could get it working. We failed miserably. Luckily it didn't matter as it was intended as a collection method for the tiny seeds of Germander Speedwell - something that eluded us in a 'ripe for picking form' all afternoon.
all to no avail. The seed sucker was not going to be sucking seeds today.
At Blazefield we managed to harvest a good deal of Pignut, Sorrel and Cat's Ear before moving on to Greenhow where we collected plenty of Lady's Mantle whilst overlooking a fantastic view in glorious sunshine.
Jan and Anita start filling their sacks.
Careful now - we don't want any of the precious seed
to drop on the ground.
NCvs wend their way back up the hillside at Greenhow,
weighed down with their treasure.
Two equine onlookers waited expectantly for any tasty morsels
that we may have had in our sacks. They were sorely disappointed.
Ros E.
Tuesday - Bryan's Wood
What else is there to do in Bryan’s this time of the year – yes, indeed: bracken bashing.
Right gang. Off we go again.
Bash and bash and bash again.
The NCVs are soon lost amongst the vegetation.
Phew - time to go back to the shelter for the mid-morning cake break!
These two have found a fallen star underneath the bracken.
Lunch was taken in front of the hut basking in glorious sunshine and enjoying more of the great cakes baked by Alwin. (Thanks Alwin!) What else could a volunteer ask for - of course, more bashing after lunch.
Most NCVs seek out the shade for their lunch.
Jan demonstrates how to do ground cycling and
Colin rolls up his trousers ready to join in.
Meanwhile Sleeping Beauty decides to have a post prandial nap.
Eleven volunteers set about the task and we covered another large area. Unfortunately it is still not completely finished - that will have to wait until next year.
Thank you all!
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