While the cat's away......
In spite of Coordinator James being away on holiday for two weeks it was certainly not a case of 'the mice will play' this Tuesday. No - not a bit of it. Now some of our readers will say that this is because volunteer task leaders Osian and Ros E kept everyone's nose to the grindstone; that the team were worried that if they did play then they would get reported; their pay would be docked. Those readers would, of course, be wrong. The NCVs are far more professional than that. They work hard every Tuesday - even if no-one is in charge!
They were back in Fishpond Wood again to help Peter Brambleby clear an area of ground in preparation for an eco learning shelter he is planning to construct near the ice house. Here's how the day panned out....
The team waited at the lakeside for Peter to arrive.....
...and used the time to do a bit of bird watching.
Can you spot the heron? Perhaps not a photo to enter
into the 'Wildlife Photography World' magazine's competition!!
Up beyond the ice house the nature of the problem became apparent.
Brambles and nettles had to be cleared.
We started with loppers....
...but then found it more effective to simply
pull (or dig) everything up by the roots.
Lots of NCVs spent the day bent double.
Alistair demonstrates the nature of the beast
that we were battling against.
Nettle rhizomes spread underground for metres!
A number of Muffets sat on their tuffet
to eat up their curds and whey at lunchtime.
After lunch we each adopted one of the new trees that encircled
the area and focused on clearing the ground around them.
Each one breathed a sigh of relief as it was freed of the strangling vegetation.
Gradually the team dwindled in numbers as backs became stiff.
These were the last ones standing (just about).....
...who then left wood owner Peter to deal with a nasty case of piles.
Whilst the above was going on, Osian and the students used the afternoon to light a fire to burn some rhododendron brash at the other end of the wood:
An impressively quick and promising
start to fire lighting by the students.
But in wet conditions no amount of blowing, dry cardboard,
encouragement or praying can get you a roaring bonfire.
A damp squib that promised much but delivered little.
So - no partying after all. I never thought there would be with such a team of hardworking, conscientious mice. I'm sure that the cat will be pleased once he returns from his trip abroad.
Tit Bits:
Thanks must go to Jan, Phil and Colin who spent all Monday morning sharpening tools. They should be paid overtime this week.
Additionally:
The wonderful owl box that Jan constructed recently was collected this week by the Summerstones Estate game keeper. It is now to be erected somewhere near the top of the dale. Let’s hope that a pair of barn owls, which we know are regularly seen in that area, approve of their new premises, made to the specification of the Barn Owl Trust.
A very pleased Roy with his smart new owl box.
It's almost big enough for him to camp out in!
And finally - an update.
The second day of hedge laying training last week saw the completion of 45m of the Longside hedge. A good start for this winter's laying task.
Before...
...during...
...and after.
Another day well spent laying around in a hedge.....
...or getting to grips with your phone.
Dave - will you put that mobile away and go get busy with a bill hook?
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