Maintaining themes....
Regular readers of this blog will know that 2020's NCV tasks have, so far this year, followed two basic themes that were established in the last two months of 2019 - namely:
- Removal of unwanted vegetation
- Working with hedges
This week was no exception. The workers were back at Wood Hill Farm, Clifton to carry on where they had to leave off last March. The start of the nesting season had then prevented them taking out the last section of old and unwieldy hedge to allow the planting up of a new one. Well - the birdies are all out of the way at the moment so, while the bird's away the NCVs will play......
There was no doubt about it - the hedge was one that loomed,
covering a good part of the field.
And when a hedge looms then you just need to sort it out.
No matter how thick the stems.
Of course - no de-looming can take place unless
there is a good fire to get rid of the result.
Andy got one going asap.
Brash piles sprang up all around the fire,
awaiting their turn to be sacrificed.
Copious amounts of prickly holly, blackthorn and hawthorn
had to be penetrated before the large stems could be reached.
Once cleared Liz and her chain saw were able to get
cracking and the job sped up.
Not sure if this NCV is flinging brash or beating the fire into submission.
Towards the end of the day's work the fire needed a bit of tidying up.
Andy came and got busy with his fire tending equipment.
At lunchtime Ken was in a relaxed frame of mind...
...whilst a trio of absolute beauties sat nice and tall to aid digestion.
At one point in proceedings a little chap came to join in the task.
Or was he just trying to wangle a piece of cake,
kindly provided by farmer Miles and his wife?
As the day wore on the hedge retreated.
By close of play there was still a lot of loom about,
but a good deal had been achieved by a small group of just 7 NCVs.
One last thing to do - walk up the long steep hill to the cars.
Well done gang!
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