Blackroc - Hard times

So we were back for our second and thankfully final week at Black Rock Mills. The ground remained very hard and hard going, with little topsoil for most of the planting area. We also had some problems applying the landscape architects planting plan in terms of the areas to be planted. But in the end, after some unnecessary stress and disagreements amongst ourselves, we think we got it done.

We were: Hap, Stephen, Adrian, Jess, Dave, Geoff, Philip, myself, Rob, Dianne and Lizzie the dog, and Ben. Plus two very willing and able Scouts.

Today we planted: 75 Dogwood, 75 Dog Rose, 75 Elder, 75 Hazel, 50 Rowan, 25 Bird Cherry, 25 Hawthorn, 45 Holly, 50 Sessile Oak.  495 plants total. Most of these were protected with canes and spirals. The larger tree varieties received 75cm stakes and guards.

Nice tune this week, both artist name and title appropriate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY-T_-Az_z4

Looks benign, but was actually a thin coat of soil on shale rock.

Today was first day of planting at Black Rock Mill site. We were: Stephen, myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Adrian, John, Peter, Susan, Ben, Cath, Steve, and Hap. We were joined by local councillors Rob and Nicola, and by a small but effective number of Scouts, and one member of the local Linthwaite volunteers.

We planted a total of 625 trees and shrubs. made up of: 25 Rowan, 25 Silver Birch, 25 Bird Cherry, 125 Elder, 100 Dogwood, 100 Dog Rose, 75 Field Maple, 25 Hawthorn, 100 Hazel, and 25 Holly.

Several of us were hard at work today, Thursday. Hap and Stephen went to Wessenden to try and finish off up there. Myself and Dave were at the Nursery to receive, count, sort and heal in the annual tree delivery. 3500 odd trees stakes and guards. There were some shenanigans over the order, but we got what we got given, rather than what we had really hoped for.

So macho!

Hap broke his mattock. Like it was a twig.

Back to the far end of Wessenden to attempt to finish there (didn't quite).

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

We did take 30 Hazel, 90 Oak, 15 Willow, 15 Birch, 30 Rowan and 15 Birch Cherry. Unfortunately, due to rocky ground (and Hap's cavalier approach to tool care) we did bring back  11 Bird Cherry, 9 Willow, 20 Hazel and 26 Oak.

https://youtu.be/s7DqwRKqyMk

For the record, there are 350 deer guards, 400 deer stakes, 50 short guards and 50 short stakes stashed near the cliff.

Happy Birthday!

Enjoying sunshine and parkin.

Almost forgot, but this is the 10th Anniversary of the start of this blog!

Back to Wessenden to plant 150 Oak, 30 Hazel, and 15 Birch.

We were: myself, Ben, Geoff, Philip, new person Neil, Cath, Lee, Jess and Lizzie the dog, Tanya, Stephen, Peter, Dave and Susan.

Cake was parkin. Weather was unseasonably mild and sunny.


https://youtu.be/6t1vaF50Ks0

Little people making a big difference.

This morning we were at Wessenden again, and as you can see, from the photo, there is good reason for us to be there week after week. A monumental task for a small but dedicated crew.

We planted a further 150 Oak and 30 Hazel

We were: myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Adrian, Cath, Tanya, Hap, Peter, Stephen, Andrew, Adam, Ben and Solo the dog.

Unfortunately the morning was overshadowed by Solo being taken suddenly very ill at the end of the session. Ben and I had to leave abruptly to get him to a vet. Very sadly, there was nothing that could be done for him.

Solo will be sorely missed by everyone.

Fashion

Just a mock up - not a real thing, yet.

https://youtu.be/GA27aQZCQMk

Big decision

Peter chooses carefully.

Today we were back at Wessenden, planting 150 Sessile Oak and 30 Hazel.

We were: myself, Andrew, Dave, Ben and Solo the dog, Dianne and Lizzie the dog, Jess, Lee, Hap, Steve, Adrian, Peter, Sue, and Geoff.

Cake was coconut and cherry sponge.

https://youtu.be/iXAfWKOgo2Q

Black dog

Solo

First week of the new season's planting, and we were up the Wessenden valley, stumbling around on a bracken covered slope. Weather was mixed, with sunshine, showers, rainbows, and a brisk wind.
Cake was a revolutionary nutella bakewell, a cake in need of a proper name I think.

We were Guy, Jess, Duncan and Harvey the dog, Philip, Hap, Adrian, Steve, Tanya, Ben and Solo the (black) dog, Dave, Peter and Stephen.

Jess thought Solo looked a bit morose today, hence the song.

We planted 210 trees. Tanya took the nice pictures.

https://youtu.be/TTbw0kzEaxE

Philip, me, and Hap

White punks on dope

The Tubes!

Highly misleading post title, but the connection is in the name of the band this week.

Up to Butterley this morning for some reclaim and re-use work. Taking tubes and stakes off sturdy young trees, and stashing them for future use on the same hillside.

We were: Adrian, Hap, Steve, Geoff, Sue, Geoff, myself, Ben and Solo the dog.

Cake was ginger.

This week's tune has to be seen to be believed. Please watch. Legend has it, Geoff's band the Academic Hamiltons were a lot like this.

https://youtu.be/rs9wuaVV33I

Here there and everywhere

Solo, solo.

Dave, Dianne, Lizzie, Dean and Geoff

John and Adrian

Funny old morning this one.

Philip, John and Adrian went to Fieldhouse, to mow brambles.

Guy, Ben and Solo the dog, Dean, Jess, Lee, Dianne and Lizzie the dog, Geoff, Dave and Hap went to Marsden to remove tree guards.

That left myself and Susan at the Nursery, she had flu, I am still nursing my sprained ankle. Then Susan went home. That left me on my own.

Until I was joined by Corey, very young grandson of Sharon from the adjacent terrace. Corey was very enthusiastic about helping me cut up logs and split them with the log splitter (under very careful supervision). He also picked apples, and rode his bike round the paths. I ended up spending longer at the nursery than I anticipated, because I couldn't get rid of Corey. Finally he got tired/bored, and went to his nan's.

Then I came home and wrote emails to this year's planting site landowners.

Later on, I was deluged with lovely photos.

https://youtu.be/ZdeNcqvfV0I

Didn't it rain

Ben, gathering rainclouds.

This week we ventured all the way over to the far side of Scammonden to do some weeding of Japanese Knotweed.

We were subjected to heavy showers, and only had Cadbury's mini rolls to sustain us.

But we had a good time.

We were: Steve, Adrian, Hap, Philip, myself, Ben and Solo and Geoff.

https://youtu.be/2jLOvkNRIB4

Blanket of weeds

Before

After

This week we were at the nursery battling the Mares Tail, making space for storing this years saplings. We were: myself, Geoff, Hap, Ben and Solo the dog. Cake was scones with Jam made with berries from the nursery.

Another tune for Philip.

https://youtu.be/2hfkHbneoUc

Cheap sunglasses

Jess and Geoff, both cutting a dash, in their own ways.

Back to Butterley for more bashing this week, the last week of this?

We were: Ben and Solo the dog, Geoff, Dave, Philip, myself, Tanya, Jess, and Robert.

https://youtu.be/97bMX7KV8d4

The long and winding road

Geoff making strides.

Back at Wessenden for further bracken based activity. We were: myself, Philip, Geoff, John, Stephen, Adrian and Robert - plus Dave somewhere in the valley with the mad dogs.

Its a long walk in, 25 minutes before we can even begin work. But it was a nice day.  As you can see.

https://youtu.be/8noiJUhJ3E8?list=RD8noiJUhJ3E8

Tears are not enough

Hap,overwhelmed.

Though he claims he had something in his eye, I think Hap was overwhelmed today, by the camaraderie, the wonders of nature, and the Eccles cakes.

We were far up Wessenden valley bracken bashing, and we were: myself, Hap, Philip, Adrian, Sue, Dave, Stephen, John, and Guy.

We got a lot done, and the sun shone at the end. A stiff breeze kept the midges off.

https://youtu.be/6lazXg2pAXk

Three imaginary boys

Just myself Philip and Hap this evening, out for a spot of bracken bashing on the banks of Butterley.

https://youtu.be/PDVzELTbHPg

The Numbers

Dave versus a million bracken plants.

See that picture, just Dave versus a world of bracken. We are not getting the numbers on Saturdays for bracken bashing. There were five of us this week: myself, Philip, Dave, Robert, Geoff, Ben, and Solo the dog. Three line whip for next Saturday, as we move up Wessenden.

Was a nice morning though, coffee cake, and no rain.

This weeks song was mentioned a the pub afterwards, and is a nice tune recorded in someone's back garden. Well worth a watch/listen.

https://youtu.be/Ti6qhk3tX2s

Raised on robbery

Ben and Philip

Another day back cutting down Bracken at Butterley Res. We were: myself, Philip, Steve, Geoff, Ben and Solo the dog. Cake was very nice Raspberry buns. Solo robbed one when Philip dropped it. Bad dog. Bad Philip. The sun shone, and a nice breeze kept the midges off. Ideal.

https://youtu.be/TjbfsKaG86g

Turned out nice again.

First day of bracken bashing of the season. We were: Hap, Philip, Adrian, Geoff, myself, Robert and Jess. Cake was chocolate. Looked apocalyptically rainy first thing, but turned out nice again.

https://youtu.be/P0qyrnGLnsw