Hackfall Wood: 26-04-2022

Back to the old routine...

Now that the tree planting and scrub removal season has come to an end, it was business as usual this week. Having had a week off, as an Easter treat, to recover from the dash to beat the calendar, the NCVs were able to visit Hackfall Wood today for a regular woodland maintenance session. It is a good time to visit this beautiful wood - the trees have still to come into full leaf so the woodland flora is able to take advantage of the warmer temperatures and higher light levels.

Let's see what jobs lay in store for our brave workers. 

PS - Many of this week's captions have been provided by Osian (thanks for that!!)

Another glorious day in the NCV office.

The latest conservation fashion footwear from

 the dapper birthday boy (70 but looking not a day over 21).

He was so preoccupied with getting the 

birthday cake to the NCVs he forgot his boots!!

First a briefing for 11 intrepid souls....

...then it was off downhill to see what lay in wait.

1st job - an epic sawing adventure taking 

the puff of 6 NCV lumberjacks...

...kneeling...

 standing...

...and squatting.

Also 5 NCV counterweights were 

needed to finally shift this obstacle.

Good job that tea break was augmented with some 

cracking, unctuous, rich, iced fruit cake

 from the stylish birthday boy. Mucho gusto!

The next job was clearing a drainage pipe 

the 'down and dirty' way with improvised, 

naturally sourced drainage rods.

What a brave man!

Result? One unblocked pipe and a stone filter constructed,

 with helpful indicator stick for quick pipe

 location next time clearing is needed.

Lunch was taken on the top path, enjoying the vista.

(No - not the back of Dave and Ken's heads.)

After lunch Will set about trying to remove some bench graffiti.

He was ably supported by the many eclectic items 

from The NCV Man About Woodlands' (Paul's) bag.

This photographic evidence shows that a combination 

of baby wipes, toothpaste (yes - toothpaste), water, 

rotten wood, hand sanitiser and stones does the trick.

Sort of....

The next (and main) job of the day was to reinstate 

and significantly upgrade the Alum Spring hurdle.

Keep going guys.

It ain't pretty but by God you'd need to be Red Rum to get over it. 

(Note from the ed- you may find that some 

members of the public will manage it!!)

Next the team took a short interlude to assess SS AONB's 

maiden voyage across the Alum spring pond.

Uh Oh! Time to abandon ship?

After a little footpath pruning the team had an early finish 

in anticipation of next week's apparel from

 the fashion conscious birthday boy.