Old Spring Wood: 14-07-2020

We've reached the end of the rainbow.

Pot of gold? No - just bracken - and some bubbles!

This week, after 20 long weeks of not being able to do any official AONB volunteering in Nidderdale, the NCVs got the go ahead to resume normal duties. 

"HURRAY!" they all cried on 9th July when the email came around. Perhaps you heard the shout?

Having dutifully done their homework and read the three risk assessments and protocol documents, 13 joined Liz at Old Spring Wood for a day of much needed bracken bashing.  There they were issued with new gloves, bottles of sanitiser and numbered sticks with STRICT instructions on how to stay safe. It was lovely to see everyone again and took a real effort not to go around hugging each other!! 

Once we had got over the initial excitement of being out with the gang again everyone was allocated to a work 'bubble' and the task began. Here are the pics to what went on....

Everyone stood apart to be given their orders.

Some brought their own bashing sticks from home.

Labelled of course.
(This notice ended 'possible risk of contamination.')

The bracken was blooming - really juicy and just ready for bashing, 
both at the top of the wood and at the bottom.

 And bashed it was - by bubble A, 

...bubble B,

...and bubble C. 
Alistair leant on his beating stick to admire their handy work.
The place looked as if a herd of elephants had been on the rampage.

It wasn't all plain sailing. In one section of the wood the 

floor is covered by decaying cut conifers.
These are all hidden by the vegetation.

A number of us found this a real challenge.

"Lift your leg a bit higher Ros!"

"Now, who's that hiding there?"
"Don't know but he looks a bit shifty to me."

In amongst the bracken were foxgloves.

This one must set a world record for height.
Paul is over 6' tall and the foxglove was bigger than him!

There were other things to be found.
Better not bash these little fellows.
Leave them for the rabbits.

The bracken itself was on the tall side in many places.

What's behind this lot?

Ah - just more bracken.

At least it's already been bashed so that's saved me a job.

Breaks were taken in a socially distanced way.

Some were far more distanced than others, which made photography rather difficult.

A panoramic lens would have been helpful!

Anita was very well prepared for hand cleaning.

She had brought her flask of warm water, soap, a towel and the kitchen sink.
Top marks that woman!

By the time we finished everyone's bashing arm was feeling a little on the achy side. 

"Home for a hot bath Anita?"

 "No - I'll just fill up my kitchen sink again, right here in the wood, and have a good old soak."