P1120596
Another interesting day and one where our extroverts have a chance to don rubber and splash about while the sensible dry-landers slashed and burned. As we had not been given any specific directions on this task poor old SS Ranger Squire scratched his head for a bit and left the pond larkers to retrieve a virtually new and still rideable bike (Jim rode after putting the chain back on!) and a mighty pile of pond weed while the landlubbers attacked a Blackthorn hedge and nearby shrubby undergrowth and piled the results for burning on a nice roaring bonfire that later provided at least one of our sub-aqua team a glowing heat to revive them after their efforts. The water was unusually deep this year and "Tiny" Willis had a job keeping himself above water at times. There was the usual litter pick but only 2 big bags this year, all the usual druggy paraphernalia and bottles. In the virtual absence of anything wilder that "Tiny" Willis :), even I did a bit removing a few twigs of willow from the reed-mace at the pond edge. These few twigs had rooted themselves and grown to a good height and if left until next year would have been bloody great trees!
Luckily and as usual we had excellent refreshments (Coffee cream sponge (Maryla), masses of molasses buns (Malcolm) for first brew) followed at lunch with a chilli hotdog hotpot followed by an amazing apple crumble and custard from that talented duo John & Audrey.
The weather was mostly kind and the fire kept the ambient temperature at a nice level and I am now running out of silly ideas and lists of food consumed. Oh thank you to Roz for the pears and last week for Sue's beetroot. What surprises will turn up next week? Unfortunately I will not be there to find out but have a great day anyway. Cheers JP
P1120596
Another interesting day and one where our extroverts have a chance to don rubber and splash about while the sensible dry-landers slashed and burned. As we had not been given any specific directions on this task poor old SS Ranger Squire scratched his head for a bit and left the pond larkers to retrieve a virtually new and still rideable bike (Jim rode after putting the chain back on!) and a mighty pile of pond weed while the landlubbers attacked a Blackthorn hedge and nearby shrubby undergrowth and piled the results for burning on a nice roaring bonfire that later provided at least one of our sub-aqua team a glowing heat to revive them after their efforts. The water was unusually deep this year and "Tiny" Willis had a job keeping himself above water at times. There was the usual litter pick but only 2 big bags this year, all the usual druggy paraphernalia and bottles. In the virtual absence of anything wilder that "Tiny" Willis :), even I did a bit removing a few twigs of willow from the reed-mace at the pond edge. These few twigs had rooted themselves and grown to a good height and if left until next year would have been bloody great trees!
Luckily and as usual we had excellent refreshments (Coffee cream sponge (Maryla), masses of molasses buns (Malcolm) for first brew) followed at lunch with a chilli hotdog hotpot followed by an amazing apple crumble and custard from that talented duo John & Audrey.
The weather was mostly kind and the fire kept the ambient temperature at a nice level and I am now running out of silly ideas and lists of food consumed. Oh thank you to Roz for the pears and last week for Sue's beetroot. What surprises will turn up next week? Unfortunately I will not be there to find out but have a great day anyway. Cheers JP