View allAll Photos Tagged MARYLAS
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
GST Voles day at Ampthill Park 28/4/2015 TL0238
Hi Tim & Fellow Voles
Excellent day around Ampthill Park. I did a bit to help the Voles but managed to avoid those fattening doughnuts. Hopefully the cattle fencing is now secure and lovers can safely kiss at the renovated kissing gate. Over in Maggs Field the West Gang of the Eastern Voles were mending a fence hidden under some Hawthorn bushes, luckily a loud call from Sue "Pitzy" revealed their presence. It was good to see Maryla and Charlie for first tea, C gets bonnier every week.
My snaps are up on flickr see www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
Not much wildlife but still excited by a highflying Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk. There were a few nice flowers and insects, the stars were the trees clothed in bright green.
It was good to hear that our missing Voles John & Colin are feeling better and it will be good to see them both back with us. Stavros is off again to Cyprus.
Hope that you enjoy the snaps.
Cheers
Pitzy
(John/Tim) Please forward to other Voles.
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
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST day at Dawson Wam, Flitwick Moor pulling the last remnants of Himalayan Balsam 15/7/2014.
St Swithun's day survived without a drop of wet stuff (except in the River Flit) so hopefully all our Tuesdays thru to September will be dry!
Here are a few snaps from the day and as usual all are now on flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The moth Malcolm found in the tea tray was a Large Emerald (Geometra papilionaria).
Unfortunately I was a little late arriving but conveniently it allowed me to help Mr B set up and later set down (pack up). Maryla was even later but it was good to see you to catch up.
Although you may not believe I did pull an armful of HB whilst hunting bugs in the Phragmites, Stinging Nettles and Comfrey but I didn't ever find a Vole working anywhere so no action snaps!
Thanks go to Malcolm for excellent cherry buns. I shared mine with Jock who seemed to have a magnetic attraction to them and gazed at me until I relented.
Thanks too to Mr B for another successful hotpot and very enjoyable Rhubarb & custard coldpot. I hope Audrey enjoyed the Lavender fields and a good cup of tea at Hitchin.
Finally good news. My very kind neighbour and retired vet has found some venison and pheasant in his freezer so in due course I shall pass it on to Mr B for our future delectation.
Have a good week.
Hi All,
Thanks to those who came down to the task at Sandy Smith yesterday; fortunately the weather was better than I had seen forecast!
It was a good task; it was nice to see so many of the tree we planted last year surviving and also to see more trees planted to reinforce them. The ditching crew also did a good job and Malcolm demonstrated that a little mud and water can go a long way!
There will be NO TASK next week because of Easter. After that normal service will be resumed with the ‘tartan mowing’ task at Maulden Heath on Tuesday 10th April; meet at the Picnic Area at 10am.
Have a nice Easter!
Tim
Tim Spencer
Countryside Ranger
The Greensand Trust
Malcolm J Willis
13:09 (11 minutes ago)
to Andrew, David, Wendy, daveathaynes, David, James, Steve, peter.staffert., Erika, Tim, dewinterann1, bazbreed, colinatkins23, DAVID, hgebler, janebreed, John, me, Maryla, Roger, Ros, grahamyoung1942, Tim.Chamen
So as we gathered together for morning prayers little did we expect the bombshell that was about to shatter our dreams and aspirations. Mr. T. spared nothing in blatantly announcing that we were only to work until lunchtime! This was to get us acclimatised to not working at all next week. Well, the little group of Dave’s cuddled together whimpering, holding hands, their little knees and chins quivering in the wind. Couldn’t we stay just a bit after lunch if we promised to be good and do what we were told. ‘No’ came the stern reply in Mr. T’s eyes. We could tidy up the two tree enclosures, plant another 20 trees, a few of us could play in the mud but then we would have to leave.
So we trudged off to woods. Mr. T’s heart softened a little and he let us form a ‘bucket line’ to take water from the ditch and fill a couple of large plastic Trugs so we could water in the 25 trees we were to plant. So we all got a chance to play in the water.
Three of us went off to clear another ditch of obstructions and see who could get the muddiest while the remainder cleared away the undergrowth that was overgrowing the fences and plant 15 trees in one and the remaining 15 in the other.
And so by lunchtime all 40 trees were planted and it was time to leave. The Moffatt tried to do a runner, taking a hand saw and disappearing along the bank in search of offending tree roots to remove but eventually he was called to heel. Mr. T. finally took pity on us and allowed us to take home a few logs to play with over the Easter break.
Many thanks to all who came, hope you get over the withdrawal symptoms and see you in two weeks time for some tartan mowing - och aye the g’nu.
And yes, Jackie did make me strip off on the patio before putting my clothes in the washing machine and hosing me down!
Malcolm
Admirable summary Mr W and cakes too were more than admirable even though I restrained myself from partaking in the fruit cake. (Mr T's donuts were also highly desirable) Hope you are feeling better and will soon regain your country seat.
It was good to have the great WC back with us again and Dave of the Arctic Lowe back from his Norwegian Saga.
Snaps are at usual place. www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/ and start at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/26181942417/ and left click all way to www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/40344026944/
See you on 10th April for Tartan Mowing.
Cheers
JP
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
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Sandy Smith NR 7/3/2017
Mr T.: (rummaging in the back of the land rover).
Okay we haven't had a task in the Wet Fen before so before we start I just need to explain a few things. Firstly as you can see it's very wet here at the entrance so I will not be taking the land rover in. We will have to carry everything in from here. I want four of you strimming the few sparce areas of rushes to the right hand side and one of you mowing a few clearings on the left hand side. The rest of you can help me clear away various metal rubbish in the copse area and then start raking and forking up what's been cut. There are some drag bags here for you. Plus I shall be cutting down a small birch tree which can be cut up and burnt. So I'll need you to take......
Mr. T. turns around to see he is by himself, the voles having walked off into the distance, (well this is SSNR and we always walk off into the distance).
A little later in camp.
Mr. T.: Are you okay to strim *****? (name removed for legal reasons). Just make sure you don't break anything. Are you okay to use the mower ^^^^? (name removed for same reasons). Just make sure you don't break anything.
Right, I just need to go back and get a few things that you lot 'forgot' to bring over with you.
Mr T. returns.
*****: The strimmer's broke.
Mr. T.: Right, I just need to go back and get the tools to mend it for you.
Mr. T. returns.
^^^^: The mower's broke.
Mr. T.: Right, I just need to go back and get the tools to mend it for you.
Mr. T. returns.
Anon.: We haven't got any forks.
Mr. T.: Right, I just need to go back and get them for you.
Mr. T. returns.
Another Anon.: We need drag bags.
Mr. T.: Right, I just need to go back and get them for you.
Mr. T. returns.
Yet another Anon.: Must be time for a tea break.
Mr. T.: Right, I just need to go back and get my bag.
The voles settle down for a drink and a few cakes.
Anon anon anon.: Who's going to tell Mr. T. he's forgotten the donuts?
Sobbing could be heard in the distance.
Some time later on this long, drawn out morning.
Mr. T.: It's no good, the rushes are too damp to burn, we'll have to drag them into the copse and pile them there.
Mr. T. walks away.
^^^^, (don't worry Clarkie, no one will know it's you), immediately strips to the waist, covers his chest in cow dung, (last week's having dried out and beginning to flake off), turns and spits into the northeast wind. Rubbing the spittle off his face he calls out to Logi, the Norse god of fire. "Hey up lad we could do with a bit of help down here." So saying he sets light to a box of fire lighters and throws them into the smouldering embers. Flames immediately rise into the bright blue sky as the fire worshipper dances a merry jig and begins to feed the flames.
And so to lunch.
Mr. T.: No more cutting now we just need to rake up what's been cut and either burn it or pile it in the copse.
Volunteer Warden (no experience necessary): Nah, we can strim loads more, there's plenty of time.
Mr. T.: No, we need to let the fire burn down before we leave tonight.
Volunteer Warden (no experience attained): Nah, we'll have finished in half an hour.
Two hours later.
Mr. T.: Most people have left, how is the fire?
Volunteer Warden (basically no experience full stop): (kicking mud onto the flames) Nearly out, could have cut loads more. Gets dark quickly these nights doesn't it?
Any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental and has nothing to do with the perpetrator of Myths and Legends in Bedfordshire, (out of print).
Thank you to everyone who came along and dragged their heels, ankles, toes, etc. in the mud. Special thanks to those who kept pulling Wendy out of the deep bits. Nice to see Maryla back with us for a short while (obviously having to build up to it again).
Malcolm
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Ampthill Park 28/4/2015 TL0238
Hi Tim & Fellow Voles
Excellent day around Ampthill Park. I did a bit to help the Voles but managed to avoid those fattening doughnuts. Hopefully the cattle fencing is now secure and lovers can safely kiss at the renovated kissing gate. Over in Maggs Field the West Gang of the Eastern Voles were mending a fence hidden under some Hawthorn bushes, luckily a loud call from Sue "Pitzy" revealed their presence. It was good to see Maryla and Charlie for first tea, C gets bonnier every week.
My snaps are up on flickr see www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
Not much wildlife but still excited by a highflying Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk. There were a few nice flowers and insects, the stars were the trees clothed in bright green.
It was good to hear that our missing Voles John & Colin are feeling better and it will be good to see them both back with us. Stavros is off again to Cyprus.
Hope that you enjoy the snaps.
Cheers
Pitzy
(John/Tim) Please forward to other Voles.
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
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
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
John P
Dear Fellow Voles
Those who were on task this week will recall it was a stormy, stormy day with the occasional glimpse of the sun. The task was to open up the woodland on the north face of the Greensand scarp under Katherine's cross. I am afraid I was a tad late having overslept and when I did arrive the hill was alive with sounds of sawing and strimmers. Drat bad timing though I missed first tea. However there was some excellent mince pies purloined by TWF at the weekend to fortify my energetic efforts to record the work in hand and throw a few sticks on the conflagration, a dangerous task as flames burst from the fire and singed anybody unwary enough to stand too close. Fire was not the only hazard as rabbit excavations and the odd stump could catch out an unbalanced vole. By lunch call most of the task was complete so we had plenty of time for an excellent and relaxed repast/hotpot (with lashings of tea) courtesy of TWF which was taken on a very windswept hillside. Then we had a few words from Maria, what are going to do about Maria, Earthships indeed! Do have a look at her video at earthship.com/education.
After lunch the weather got even worse but luckily most of the cutting and slashing was complete, leaving a few of us to rake out the fire and admire the glowing embers as each gust of wind turned them into a fiery gold. I am not sure what else I have missed but I have probably nattered on enough anyway.
Oh and don't forget to pay Colin Atkins for the Christmas meal.
Cheers
John P
Hi All
Late again with my report, as I was this Tuesday. Cannot get the hang of getting my act together this year, must be the cold my youngest grandson gave us the weekend before Christmas! I know that I am not alone here but hopefully things will get back to a normality soon.
Well having said that Tuesday was like a Spring day, mild, still and occasionally sunny when that cosmic observer was not obscured by the smoke and flames rising upward from the valley floor as more gorse, blackthorn and broom were added to the pyre of 2012. Fire raising was the most popular job of the day but quite a lot of post festivity energy was unleashed on dragging material to the fire from where it was stacked before or had been newly cut on top of the ridge to create a cleared space along the perimeter barbed wire fence by the furious hacking and sawing brigade.
The highlights of the day, apart from the appeasing of the ancient fire gods, was the cutting of Jim's New Year 2013 cake, complete with decoration and celebratory squib, various pieces of Stollen cake from Maryla (homemade) and me (Mr Tesco) and of course yet more vanilla and sultana buns from Mr W. Add to this Mr B's Bambi hotpot and Audrey's badger sponge and custard. We are clearly set up for the rest of this week and so should be fighting fit for the next GST extravaganza wherever it may be.
Very little wildlife about, some nice lichen of course and the odd bit of fungi, oh and some mysterious holes clearly made by some wee beastie. Answers on the hole mystery gratefully received please. My guess is some form of dung beetle?
All the best for 2013.
JP
GST Voles day at Ampthill Park 28/4/2015 TL0238
Peter Gateley That is a typical (and welcome) sight at this time of year, the plant is Sweet Vernal-grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum.
Stephen Prosser12:38pm May 1
With Anthxanthum odoratum in the background.
Comment History
Peter Gateley
Peter Gateley12:35pm May 1
Indeed, in the foreground.
Phil Wilson
Phil Wilson12:11pm May 1
and some Luzula campestris
Hi Tim & Fellow Voles
Excellent day around Ampthill Park. I did a bit to help the Voles but managed to avoid those fattening doughnuts. Hopefully the cattle fencing is now secure and lovers can safely kiss at the renovated kissing gate. Over in Maggs Field the West Gang of the Eastern Voles were mending a fence hidden under some Hawthorn bushes, luckily a loud call from Sue "Pitzy" revealed their presence. It was good to see Maryla and Charlie for first tea, C gets bonnier every week.
My snaps are up on flickr see www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
Not much wildlife but still excited by a highflying Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk. There were a few nice flowers and insects, the stars were the trees clothed in bright green.
It was good to hear that our missing Voles John & Colin are feeling better and it will be good to see them both back with us. Stavros is off again to Cyprus.
Hope that you enjoy the snaps.
Cheers
Pitzy
(John/Tim) Please forward to other Voles.
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
Hi All
Late again with my report, as I was this Tuesday. Cannot get the hang of getting my act together this year, must be the cold my youngest grandson gave us the weekend before Christmas! I know that I am not alone here but hopefully things will get back to a normality soon.
Well having said that Tuesday was like a Spring day, mild, still and occasionally sunny when that cosmic observer was not obscured by the smoke and flames rising upward from the valley floor as more gorse, blackthorn and broom were added to the pyre of 2012. Fire raising was the most popular job of the day but quite a lot of post festivity energy was unleashed on dragging material to the fire from where it was stacked before or had been newly cut on top of the ridge to create a cleared space along the perimeter barbed wire fence by the furious hacking and sawing brigade.
The highlights of the day, apart from the appeasing of the ancient fire gods, was the cutting of Jim's New Year 2013 cake, complete with decoration and celebratory squib, various pieces of Stollen cake from Maryla (homemade) and me (Mr Tesco) and of course yet more vanilla and sultana buns from Mr W. Add to this Mr B's Bambi hotpot and Audrey's badger sponge and custard. We are clearly set up for the rest of this week and so should be fighting fit for the next GST extravaganza wherever it may be.
Very little wildlife about, some nice lichen of course and the odd bit of fungi, oh and some mysterious holes clearly made by some wee beastie. Answers on the hole mystery gratefully received please. My guess is some form of dung beetle?
All the best for 2013.
JP
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy