Longside Farm, Ramsgill: 14-03-2017

Did you know that, according to Wikipedia (and who am I to question that august publication?!), 14th March is PI day. Apparently this is "an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi Day is observed on March 14 (3/14 in the month/day date format) since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant digits of π."

So, what has this to do with the NCVs? Well, I had hoped that someone in the group, who is up to speed on such knowledge and a good baker to boot, would arrive on site shouting “Happy PI day!” whilst carrying a plentiful supply of pork or apple pies to supplement our lunch boxes. Whilst this was not the case, we were well supplied in the goodies department with another tin of Audrey's flapjacek AND a box of homemade biscuits from Anita.
☺(Thanks ladies!)

Here's the precious biscuit box. 

Anita and Ros K. decided to sit on thrones this week

 instead of acting as bookends.

Perhaps not such a good idea as the cap on 
one of the stool's foot got lost in the mud.
Yeuck!

The photos below show the last part of the job for 2017. We have done very well but there is plenty left to continue with next year. For now we must leave the hedge to the nesting birds and the blossoming hawthorn.

Ros E.

Once again the tools had to be sharpened the day before.
Can you spot 'Oscar', the honorary NCV, keeping a beady eye on things?

Right folks - you know the routine.

Plastic spirals to be removed, outward growing branches to be pruned out first.

 That's right - now down on your knees to get the stems cut ready for pleaching.

Graham had brought some cardboard sheets to lay down on. 

Alistair and himself that is - not the hedge.
I wonder how long the integrity of the cardboard will hold up?

Only until coffee time!

Pleach and lay. Pleach and lay.

Everybody likes to pleach and lay.
(If the video doesn't work then click HERE.)

This was a particularly awkward pleach but Ros K. 

was up to the task and simply sat inside
 the hedge to get the angle right.

Stem too thick for a bill hook?

Then just call in James and his chainsaw 
and you'll soon have a perfect hinge.

Yes - that section can be railed off.

Thank you Jan.

One nail. Four men.
Over staffing?

There she blows - hang on to the hedge chaps!!
A stiff wind blew away the clouds and almost 
took with it the newly cut stems.

The last three women standing.

A good day's work. 

In fact - a good 5 days' work this season. 100 m of hedge laid overall.
Perhaps we'll manage to finish the rest next year?