Azerley Estate: 05-07-2016

Whilst down in Wimbledon this week people were asking "Anyone for tennis?", up in Nidderdale AONB the NCVs were being asked "Anyone for himalayan balsam pulling?" Strangely enough, thirteen of them said "Count me in!" I wonder if this had anything to do with the promise of a BBQ? Possibly. 

It was certainly a BBQ that was worthy of the trip out to Azerley Grange estate. Kevin the gamekeeper and his wife, Emma, did us proud with masses of hot pork rolls, beef burgers, apple sauce and stuffing and a lovely sponge cake as well. (Thanks Emma!) We all ate so much that it was a real effort to tear ourselves away from the beaters' workshop afterwards for a second go at the balsam. I think that many of the shorter stems got ignored on purpose to save ourselves the discomfort of having to bend over to reach them during the afternoon.

NCVs enjoy the delights of an Azerley Grange BBQ 

only to find that they needed a larger size 

in trousers once they had finished.

The photos below show the progress that was made with the pulling of this invasive species. Unfortunately lots of it was growing amongst thistles and nettles, so many of us went home with bands of 'fizzy' skin around our wrists where the nettles had managed to break through our arm protection and sting us mercilessly. Still - all in a good cause.

Ros E.

NCVs start the day with a nice cuppa whilst 
Ned the dog waited impatiently to be on the way.

En route to the work site we passed the hedge that we 
laid early in the year. It's really growing up well now.

Once down by Kex Beck we could see that there was 
plenty of HB to keep us busy.

 Everyone got to work and were difficult 
to spot amongst the vegetation.

Look - here's a bit down here....

 ...and here's a lot up here.

Ha! Not any more!

 These two ladies worked hard on this area...

 ...as did these two gents on this one.

Some of us got into the beck to attack the HB 
from the front, with Ned lending a paw at all times.

 Jan and Laura kept smiling in spite of the HB wall ahead.

They soon made short work of it...

 ...and left behind an area completely bare of vegetation 
(apart from deceased HB). 
Hopefully now the other plants will move in...

...such as this gorgeous orchid.

One NCV ignored the advice that on no account should she stand for more that a millisecond on the muddy bed of the beck whilst crossing, in case her boots got stuck. 
She did - and they did - and now her trousers look like this!