Glasshouses verge update:27-08-2019

THIS AT THE BARN ....

OR THIS AT THE VERGE?

Anyone who was on duty the day when the barn was first taken over by the NCVs (pre-blog days) would have viewed this week's alternative job to further work on the verge at Glasshouses with absolute horror. 

Why? Because the alternative was dusting off all the cobwebs from the roof and shelving of the barn - that's why!

"Not likely - it was bad enough first time", they would have thought.

"I came home with dirt in every nook and cranny of my body - including my mouth, nose, ears and other areas that can't be mentioned", they would have remembered. 

"It's definitely the scythe or the rake for me", they would have decided.

In the event nobody got around to doing any dusting. There was too much grass control to do and too few NCVs to do it.

So - did they finish the scything job? Let's see....

The day started with a knobbly knees competition due
 to the hot weather conditions.
What a pretty sight!

Trailer man Andy once again was on duty and no sooner
 did the trailer arrive at the verge than it was full of grass cut last week.

 The scythes were all sharpened and ready to use so...

....4 scythers got busy scything.

...and the remaining 3 other NCVs got busy pitch-forking and raking.

The grass was - of course - added to the ever growing heap behind the barn.
"Any room for another fork full?"

All of this activity, it must be remembered, took place in the blazing sunshine which beat down mercilessly on the toiling workers. Sun cream was applied. Water was drunk.

And once or twice NCVs were seen taking a moment to stop and have a chin wag. 
The combined movement of three chins created a cooling breeze which swept 
around the bare knees and lowered body temperature nicely.

The verge stretched out, ready and waiting into the distance.

But any NCVs looking back could take heart from how far away 
they were from the starting point at the picnic tables.

Talking of which - these tables offered a welcome bit of shade for coffee and lunch.

They also offered a good crop of juicy blackberries that were 
added to yogurt to enhance a lunchtime dessert.

Tony managed to snap this dragon fly up close on an ash twig. 
What a pity that the tree looks as if it might have ash die-back.

Eventually the scything was complete and everyone then lent a hand with the grass gathering.

6 trailer loads were transported but 0.1 mile of the verge 
(that's about 3/4 of the second half) still needs the roadside heaps clearing.

This large swathe of lovely Bird's-foot-trefoil was spared the scyther'sblade
It still needs to set seed before mowing.

By 2:30pm the team were just too hot and tired to rake another wisp of grass. 

So - it was back to the barn with the final load.
My goodness - that compost heap has certainly grown since last week!!

Tools were put away and scythes were dismantled.
No more scything until next August!