Lucifer over Lancashire

Hap (with bucket) Philip, Peter and a bit of Geoff (I think).

I don't know why, but Hap holding that bucket is hilarious. He just found it in the field. And we were all very, very wet at the end of a windy and wet morning. Lancashire sent us this evil weather from the West. So that and the sad demise of bandleader Mark Smith explains this week's song title.

We were: Hap and his bucket, myself, Philip, Peter, Geoff, Dave, Tanya, Stephen, Ben, and our host, Audrey.

We were right up the head of the valley, hence our exposure to the worst weather Lancashire could provide.

Cake was provided by Audrey, and it was lovely.

We planted 100 Common Alder, 50 Aspen, 50 Downy Birch and 30 Goat Willow.

https://youtu.be/5cwdSIvWpo0

Fox on the run

There was a fox in the Nursery when I got there this morning. Bold as brass.

Anyway this morning we were at Lower Green Owlers, way up at the head of the valley. We planted 50 Hazel, 25 Dog Rose, 50 Oak, 25 Aspen, 25 Rowan.

We were: myself, Hap, Lee, Jess, Dianne and Lizzie the dog, Geoff, Philip, Dave, Adrian, Stephen, Cath, Steve and Ben.

Cake was ginger (like the fox).

https://youtu.be/VP2umy6TdEU

Pale shelter

Very rare instance of proper before and after photo's today.

We were planting a classic farmland shelter belt up above Butterley reservoir, Marsden. When grown these trees and shrubs will give livestock some respite from the cruel winds and rains coming from Lancashire.

We were: myself, Hap, Neil, John, Steve, Philip, Dave, Stephen O., Geoff, Susan, Cath, Stephen K., Ben, Dave. Peter, Jess, and Steve.

I was spoilt for choice for the shelter theme'd tune. But went for classic 80's.

https://youtu.be/l_kN_DJQJ3U

Heaven

Dean, Lee, Steve, Adrian, Ben and Sue. And Marsden

Today we were back in the clough above Crowther Laithe Farm, Marsden. We added 100 Scots Pine, 50 Oak, and 30 Gorse to the older (and struggling) trees already there. Thanks to Dave's efforts we used almost entirely recycled tree protection for today's planting. And retrieved more for future re-use.

We were: myself, Philip, Adrian, Dave, Geoff, Dean, Sue, Tanya, Ben, Lee, Guy, Ros, Stephen, and Steve.

Cake was coffee walnut.

This week's tune is here partly because I was playing it in the car on the way there. I had another one of those Proustian moments where a tune moved me unexpectedly, reminding me of being much younger. That happens a fair bit these days. Sheesh, being 56. But lyrically the song might also be taken to describe the Colne Valley!

https://youtu.be/9bKW7JkHKm8

Myself and Philip hatch a cunning planting plan.