P1310095
GST voles day at Maulden Heath clearing scrub 2nd December 2014
To My Fellow Voles
It was again another dismal dreary and windswept day on that blasted heath as the Voles attacked, the gorse, blackthorn and Hawthorn scrub along the fence line of
the "Adder" field. Late again, along with the lovely Helen G we arrived just in time for tea and Malcolm's mince pies (really tasty and energy filling). Getting there was
a bit of a challenge as the last few feet of almost vertiginous mud bank caught me out, allowing me not once but twice to fall flat on my face into the glug and sheep's
droppings. Fortunately my dear readers Jane (Breed, not my wife) didn't catch this moment of ignnominy for posterity so my dignity, photographically speaking, is
retained.
It was lovely to have not one but two bonfires and these by my arrival crackling (and smoking quite a lot) away and the field was reminiscent of that closing scene
from Dad's Army. The task was not without dangers with lethal thorns from all the scrub under attack. One or two heavyweights, you know who I mean, decided to
take on some of the small pines trees and these gave all concerned quite a good workout although none of these were quite big enough (trees) for Jim's totem pole
he wants to have a go at carving.
Shortly before lunch break I had a wander to the far side of the field and was impressed by those new brache piles for our slithering friends. There were a good
number of very good lichens and fungi over there and back in the woods where we have worked in previous weeks. I also had several "close encounters of a
sheepish kind" during my post lunch perambulation which may amuse fellow sheep admirers :) .
Lunch was another feast (and perhaps one of our last for a short while) with an interesting hotpot (meat balls & sausage shaped bits) followed by one of Audrey's
famous apple and pumpkin pies + custard of course --- so the Voles were fighting fit for the afternoon ship. Thanks to all for todays excellent feasts.
Another comment I must make is to congratulate young Steve Jones on his Gold award in the 2014-15 RPS photographic competition. A magnificent achievement
and one that has me both envious and full of admiration for this. His photo will appear in the RPS travelling exhibition from early in 2015. See RPS website for more
information.
Well that is enough of my rambling. I must go and powder my nose for tonight's celebration at the White Hart .
Cheers
John P
P1310095
GST voles day at Maulden Heath clearing scrub 2nd December 2014
To My Fellow Voles
It was again another dismal dreary and windswept day on that blasted heath as the Voles attacked, the gorse, blackthorn and Hawthorn scrub along the fence line of
the "Adder" field. Late again, along with the lovely Helen G we arrived just in time for tea and Malcolm's mince pies (really tasty and energy filling). Getting there was
a bit of a challenge as the last few feet of almost vertiginous mud bank caught me out, allowing me not once but twice to fall flat on my face into the glug and sheep's
droppings. Fortunately my dear readers Jane (Breed, not my wife) didn't catch this moment of ignnominy for posterity so my dignity, photographically speaking, is
retained.
It was lovely to have not one but two bonfires and these by my arrival crackling (and smoking quite a lot) away and the field was reminiscent of that closing scene
from Dad's Army. The task was not without dangers with lethal thorns from all the scrub under attack. One or two heavyweights, you know who I mean, decided to
take on some of the small pines trees and these gave all concerned quite a good workout although none of these were quite big enough (trees) for Jim's totem pole
he wants to have a go at carving.
Shortly before lunch break I had a wander to the far side of the field and was impressed by those new brache piles for our slithering friends. There were a good
number of very good lichens and fungi over there and back in the woods where we have worked in previous weeks. I also had several "close encounters of a
sheepish kind" during my post lunch perambulation which may amuse fellow sheep admirers :) .
Lunch was another feast (and perhaps one of our last for a short while) with an interesting hotpot (meat balls & sausage shaped bits) followed by one of Audrey's
famous apple and pumpkin pies + custard of course --- so the Voles were fighting fit for the afternoon ship. Thanks to all for todays excellent feasts.
Another comment I must make is to congratulate young Steve Jones on his Gold award in the 2014-15 RPS photographic competition. A magnificent achievement
and one that has me both envious and full of admiration for this. His photo will appear in the RPS travelling exhibition from early in 2015. See RPS website for more
information.
Well that is enough of my rambling. I must go and powder my nose for tonight's celebration at the White Hart .
Cheers
John P