Prickly Work!
The NCVs were warned to wear long trousers this week due to the nature of the task.
Actually, armour plating may have been more appropriate as they were working in one of the woodlands at Day Ash farm, clearing back nettles, thistles, wild rose, brambles and holly from the footpath edge to ensure that walkers could see which way to go.
And here they are. Happy in their work, despite the prickles - and, eventually, the rain....
Hey Ho! Hey Ho!
It's off to work we go....
The vegetation along the path
was long but, luckily, landowner
and fellow NCV Andy C. had put
in markers to show the way.
Then he and Liz got going with
the strimmers to clear a 2m wide path through.
That left the NCVs free to make a
start on the trees that needed
attention. The path ran straight
through these two (prickly) hawthorns.
And this monster holly, bramble
and rose conglomeration was
right in the way.
No problem - we can sort that!
Yes. And we can use the brash
to mark out the path with a dead
hedge down one side.
That's it Brenda. Make it nice and thick.
The rose thorns were particularly evil
and made you relieved when you
only had holly to shift.
Once you got past the holly
you walked below a veteran oak.
However - there was an old stone
wall base in the way.
Andy H, Julia and Anita soon
shifted the offending stones and
used them to edge the path.
Nice one guys.
At least the stones weren't prickly!
Meanwhile Osian headed up another
small team of stone shifters.
This time the rocks were of gigantic
proportions.
After much iron bar action, and heaving
and sweating, they had managed to clear
a way through for walkers.
Definitely time for coffee
(and a lie down)!
Andy C. handed round a tin
full of tasty, home made shortbread.
Thanks Andy!
Not long after coffee the rain started.
Luckily Liz had brought a plastic sheet
to cover the rucksacks.
Rain didn't stop play.
Work continued with that holly
and other holly trees further down the path.
The monster holly was finally reduced
to some beetle rich standing
deadwood and a bird perching post.
By 12:30 everyone had to take shelter
under the oak tree for lunch.
Time for an early finish.
We'll come back next week
to continue the fight against the prickles.
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