I think I've caught a bug

2023. Most of June continued to be hot and sunny. Working outside in those conditions can be challenging, so the most strenuous tasks are either undertaken first thing or planned with location in mind.

One such task was sorting out the yard behind the lodge. This area has quite a bit of shade, especially in the morning. We managed to shift quite a few items to open up more space and generally provide easier access around the yard. 

In preparation for the arrival of the funfair, there was work to be done to facilitate the route for the HGV lorries and trailers. Turning into the parkland by the lodge requires plenty of space, so several of the log posts lining the drive were removed. Due to the height of these vehicles, we also 'raised the crown' of a few trees between the carpark entrance and the parkland turning point (crown raising simply means the removal of the lower overhanging branches).

It was a wet start to June 29th, and my waterproof is not as waterproof anymore! Hey-ho, once you're wet it can't get any worse, unless you're lopping sycamore branches.

Having recently cleared the pathway on Oak Lane, we were back to sort out the low branches and holly along the approach from buttercup meadow to the car park. In order to cut back as far as possible, I (being the taller one) got hold of each branch and pulled down so that Amy could lop further up. Bearing in mind that it's still raining, we get a further soaking from the leaves as each branch was removed 😀. 

Also, we discovered that the leaves on the sycamore branches were swarming with greenfly, so every time one of these got lopped it created a cloud of the pesky pests and we were covered from head to toe 😝. The good thing about being wet meant that it was easier to brush off the greenfly each time. It's nice to think positively!

With a couple of short breaks to dry off a bit and fetch more tools for clearing up, it took us most of the morning.

2023 BC? (before cutting)

    

          2023 AD (after drenching!)

Thankfully by lunchtime the rain had stopped, so we ended the day with a large litter pick, mainly along the west woods and the fence-line of St Faiths Road (always the worse affected area). 

It's now July and the funfair has been replaced by Circus Cortex, I remember them from last year as they have the largest percentage of Ukrainian artistes in the UK 👏.

With the recent wet weather, there was plenty of strimming and mowing to do. I started with the ride-on mower in an area just in front of the lodge. 

The Hall School was hosting its annual fun day there, and was using the picnic area for the various games and music.

Then it was off to the Victorian Pond for strimming whilst Amy carried out other strimming around the many park benches. It is sensible to take care when strimming, even with headgear. It is not unusual to be caked in the flying grass but it won't be the first time that I've been stung by bits of nettle. There is also hogweed and the like, the sap of which can cause blistering, especially if you're wearing short sleeves (the fun never ends 😀). 

It's always amazing how quickly it grows!

 




       I wonder how long that will last!

I finished the day back at the picnic area, mowing the various pathways and edges that had started to become overgrown.

All in all it's very enjoyable being a volunteer.