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I don't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes - the NCVs had a Victor Meldrew moment on reading the task email this week.
We were being invited to survey parts of the River Nidd, and some of its tributarie,s in the upper part of the dale, searching out Himalayan Balsam which, Liz assured us, was in an advanced stage of development in places. Oh no! How could that possibly be? So soon? It seems like only yesterday that we pulled up the final stem in Pateley Bridge.
No - that was a year ago. Balsam is on the up and surveying was needed to see where different community groups, such as the scouts and Nidderdale Anglers, could be deployed to 'Rid the Nidd' of this invasive pest.
The NCVs split into four small groups and were sent off to survey different transects. Here's a few snapshots of the day....
The weather was beautiful - as was the view
for those who were dispatched up to Greenhow.
The same group had to contend with a number
of obstacles across their water courses.
Come on Friedy - lift that leg a bit higher.
That's it Dave - careful over the wire.
Paul and Andrew had come on their bikes
so were sent to do the Gouthwaite
reservoir check from the road.
Paul did find a couple of stems, so thought
that he would pull them up while he was there.
Parts of the Nidd were wet.
Other parts were dry.
Occasionally just a little bit of balsam could
be found - but nothing mega.
Slowly the battle is being won!
Alistair decided to try out his laser beam powered gaze, staring at any balsam
in the hope that it would spontaneously combust.
No Paul - you won't find any up that tree.
Although, you never know. Best check it out.
"Excuse me Mrs Duck. Any balsam on your side of the stream?"
"Sorry - too busy looking after my
ducklings to notice. Quack."
"Well - what about you lot? Any over there?"
"No - none here."
Now that's a lot of large eggs -
But no balsam.
Anita and Rachel didn't find much balsam but they did find the largest ladybird in the world.
They also narrowly escaped the gaping
jaws of the monster fox at Studfold farm.
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