Hackfall Woods: 04-02-2020

A first visit in more than one sense…..

This week the NCVs were back at Hackfall for their first visit of 2020 – AND their first since the UK took the next step towards a life outside the EU. Whilst there may be many uncertainties about the future of Britain post Brexit, there were few about what the day at Hackfall would consist of. There would most probably be culverts to clear of mud, encroaching vegetation to prune, fallen branches to shift (thanks to the recent high winds) and plenty of mud to slither around in. Were the NCVs correct in their forecast? Let’s take a peek…..

Muddy paths to slither along?

Check.

Fallen branches to clear?

Most definitely!!

The log across the stream was just one section 
of an enormous larch tree that had blown down the hillside.

 It had left oceans of brash below the Alum Springs stepping stones...

 ... and all the way up the opposite bank.

Up at the root ball end of the tree there was a disaster zone.
The path had been completely demolished.

Walkers had already  established a detour around a neighbouring tree.
It was very steep and very muddy. Not safe at all.

WHAT ON EARTH WERE THE NCVS GOING TO DO?????????
WHERE ON EARTH SHOULD THEY START?????

Leave it to us.
We'll sort it.
Somehow.

David made a start with some mighty mattock wielding.
Soon the job was in full swing.

Half the group stayed with the root ball disaster....

 ...and the other half got busy with the mess at the bottom of the slope.
Good flinging skills were needed here.

Slowly but surely brash was removed from the stream...

It was then collected up and stacked very tidily on a handy flat area nearby.

No wonder Anita looks so pleased!

By the end of the afternoon the stream and platform above it was all but clear - 
apart from the tree trunk that needs a contractor to deal with.

Yes - that really is looking better.

The brash laying all over the opposite side of the stream was 
heaved up the slippery steps and put in the second brash pile.
Brenda and Dave manage to find the energy to smile in spite of being exhausted.

 Everyone was smiling at coffee and lunchtime...

...especially when Angela turned up with 
a box of delicious date, apple and walnut cake.
Thanks Angela!

Throughout the day, up at the disaster zone, things moved on....

Pieces of wood started to be deployed to shore up the path and fill in the hole.
Embryo steps started to appear on the detour.

NCVs could be seen scavenging for appropriate logs.
This will do nicely - I'll have that.

Ken and Dave did a brilliant job with the steps.



What about the hole?

Well, by home time, it was not as deep as it was at the start of the day 
and the path was less likely to collapse.

Well done gang. You can all go home and have a nice long soak in the bath now.

The mud filled culverts will have to wait until next time!

In addition to this outdoors task two other NCVs worked at the barn fixing the Old Spring Wood interpretation panel and building a prototype for a sign that NCVs can erect when they are working. 

On yes Jan - that prototype will do very nicely indeed.