"What was our Boss Tim contemplating as he sat alone gazing at the fire" P1270225

GST Voles Day at Maulden Roundhouse Field 27/2/2018 TL0638 & specifically TL069384

Hi All,

 

 

 

Thanks to those who came down to Maulden Heath for the task today - it was certainly a cool one!

 

 

 

Despite the cold we achieved everything that I had hoped to and were able to beat an early retreat once the snow started.

 

 

 

Next week’s task is at Ampthill Park; meet in the West Car Park at 10am.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

Tim

 

 

 

Tim Spencer

 

Countryside Ranger

 

The Greensand Trust

Hail Tim & Fellow Voles & Supporters

On Tuesday and in light of the weather prognosis I decided to risk yet another "late on parade" reprimand by starting at Maulden Church and enjoy a amble to the Roundhouse field where I found a merry band of Voles cutting Blackthorn regrowth on the path at the NE corner. In the distance I could hear mechanical noise and see wisps of smoke from a nascent bonfire. The Voles had already fully loaded a tarp ready to drag to the fire but I could get no willing helpers to assist me in that job so I sulked off to the other activities and helped Big Jim tidy away from the fence line a big pile of rotting pine trunks so that there was access for the Land Rover fencing team. There were also several newly felled conifers to dismember and clear away to the fire. Away round the rim of the field there were more felled trees of Oak and a Cherry and all through the day through blizzard and sunshine Voles staggered back and fro to the central fire and Jane's small team of stokers.

Obviously it was not just hard graft all day and in addition to the welcome jam and custard donuts we had the delightful jam scones lovingly prepared by Helen's Brownies to fend off the arctic conditions. with our first T Up call.

It was good to have with us our old mate Maryla for the morning and it was good to catch up.

Lunch break arrived just as the sky darkened and the the world resumed blizzard conditions from the gloom and snowflakes appeared an almost hysterical Erika (and Carolyn?) who was having the most fun ever almost cavorting around the bonfire and through snow flakes like something from "The Scottish Play". For some reason E wanted photographic evidence of the Voles madness and I hope we shall see our happy band on a screen near you very soon.

Just as quickly as the blizzard came the sky changed to a bright azure blue decorated with puffy nimbus but having almost finished most of the tasks set for the day orders were given to retreat and so I staggered my way back to Maulden Church past frozen ponds and paths feeling happy but properly exercised by saw, lopper and tarp, hopefully not painfully so.

See you next week and hopefully you will enjoy some of my snaps as usual at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/26651616618/in/datetaken/ and left clicks from there.

JP

Thank you John,

 

Some cracking photos, showing 4 seasons in a single day.

 

Also....What a hardy bunch?....drinking tea and eating buns in the snow.

 

Also raises lots of questions , such as what was our Boss Tim contemplating as he sat alone gazing at the fire, Just how many bananas did Andy have, what was in Mike's bag, What was in Jim's yoghurt[?] pot, and was Dave Clarke frozen to the spot given his position In 3 photos was the same?

 

We can all look forward to a repeat next Tuesday,

 

Respect,

 

Barry.

Done