Although not mentioned on any National Awareness Day listing, today was 'Back to Balsam' day for the NCVs. After a few weeks' welcome relief of bracken bashing, gravel laying, biosecurity training and barn clearing, it was business as usual at Azerley. The supply of balsam on the estate is plentiful - but well made up for by the equally plentiful number of tasty pheasant sausages that are always provided at lunchtime by Kevin and his wife, Emma. (Thanks folks!).
The photos below show yet another day's progress against the invader....
Before we got going we had a knobbly knee parade
from three of the NCVs.
Then there was the long trek over to the woods
where the balsam hides out.
As usual - the cows were curious to know what was going on.
Walking through the woods to where we left off last time
was a rewarding experience - hardly a balsam plant to be seen!
Luckily the balsam was taller and often in flower now.....
...so easier to spot and pull out.
This island was covered with the stuff.
But in swept the NCVs....
...and there it was - gone.
Tom dealt with this patch of 8' high balsam single handed.
It was a bio-security nightmare. with Burdock burrs....
...and Cleavers seed adhering to all our clothing.
This was apart from the Balsam seeds that may have been
lurking in the mud on your boots.
At lunch time Osian stretched out in the shade....
...showing off his Muppet themed socks....
...which were specially vented underneath to help him
control his foot temperature in this hot weather.
Some of the balsam was right down by the water's edge.
This led, on occasion, to some extreme balsam pulling situations.
Let's hope your belt doesn't give way Richard!
Although there was plenty of balsam still left standing
at the end of the afternoon we had the satisfaction of retracing
our steps over swathes of uprooted and crushed stems.
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