Fishpond Wood - once more into the Valley of Bog rode the NCVs!

With the onset of cooler damp autumnal weather there was a good turnout with 18 NCVs, six Heritage Skills students and their two tutors at The Barn. Today only one task beckoned, the third instalment of scrub clearance at Fishpond Wood.

After last week’s unsuccessful bonfire lighting Terry and fire starter Leo dedicated themselves to the task, ably assisted by Will providing reams of starter material and kindling.

 First job of the day - Terry gets busy with a match.

The group split into several locations, those high up attacking rhododendron, the energetic students at the far end of the lake, and the main group attacking pond-side scrub with the bog hoppers cutting down larger trees near the island.

After three weeks there are only so many ways you can say rhodies were cut down but path-side brash piles were elegantly constructed and wellies squelched satisfyingly.

The rest get busy with the rhodies. Again!

Precious corrugated iron sheets and a pallet 

are used to help reach the centre of the bog. 

 A rope is strung across to help bog ridden NCVs
extricate themselves from the mire. 

In the meantime the bonfire trio had successfully created a smoking giant that would intermittently develop into a flaming fire, a notable achievement considering the amount of green fuel.

Eventually the fire starts to look promising and 

Leo keeps a watching brief over lunch.

During lunch the forecast drizzle appeared and, as wet weather gear was donned, we watched the modest bonfire regress into a smoky pile of brash. Paul demonstrated the alternative use of a wheelbarrow as an armchair and informed the Fishpond-weary collective that we were likely to return for the next 2-3 weeks.

During lunch some old photos of the lake were scrutinised to see 

what it used to look like. It's nice to know what we are aiming to achieve!

With a weather shortened stint after lunch the trees surrounding the island were cleared, brash efficiently and neatly piled path side and logs stacked. Graham and Ros E. demonstrated their Isambard Kingdom Brunel bridge building skills over the bog of doom.

This week’s sacrifice to the god of the bog was Julia who suffered a near miss in the wellington boot overspill department. Fortunately a major welly infill was avoided.

Osian