Knives out

 

Well a game of two halves today, though the first half was very short, for me.

Within the first half hour I managed to gash my leg with a hook-bladed craft knife. A really stupid bit of behaviour, but "accidents" are inevitable, and this was the worst cut we (!) have dealt with. Several of us had first aid kits, and I was securely strapped up by Hap and taken to A&E by Jessica. 8 stitches and a tetanus booster. A cautionary tale for all. I am going to go back to using my much more blunt fixed short blade Mora knife. I won't be able to do myself the same degree of damage with that, hopefully.

We were at Scammonden again removing stakes and guards.

Those remaining carried on working. They were: Geoff, Sue, Adrian, Sophie, Tanya, Hap, and Jess.

Sue loves a wild mushroom, and found a special birch tree mushroom.

https://youtu.be/2Lpw3yMCWro

Gigantic!

Scammonden, again, again. More guard removal and reclamation. This week we were; myself, Tanya, Jess, Sophie, Dave, Ben, Kati, Adrian and Steve. That pile of trash guards is getting big.

https://youtu.be/2B6qerZlczw

We moved along Sledgegate and took a few remaining guards off in an area next to the road just above Baker's Stonecote, then moved to the far end of the road and entered the plantings next to the mature conifer plantation. This area, planted around 2010, along with the birch that stretch down from it on a small exposed ridge, is the last site on this side of Scammonden that requires significant guard removal. It is not so easy to get onto the site as it is overgrown, steep and chock-a-block with nettles, but once there it is a secluded and lovely young woodland with quite a special feel: the much larger Italian alder are doing a great job at providing a shelter belt for the oak. Weather was fine and pleasant, if a little cold for the time of year. We were: Geoff, Jess, Lee, Sophie, Ben, Kati, Hap, Adrian, Jonathan and Tessie.

Going up

 

Dianne, Jon and Sophie, and some guards.

Back to Scammonden for more guard and stake removal/retrieval. Maybe not as glamorous work as actual tree planting, but important if we are to plant new trees sustainably and responsibly.

Good turnout this morning with; myself, Dianne, Tanya, Jon and Tessie, Adrian, Hap, Geoff, Dave, Sophie, and Steve.

Lots got done and the heavy rain held off until we were back at our cars at the end.

There was some discussion about the various ways of pronouncing "up" by group members (received, estuary, and yorkshire).

https://youtu.be/L2xEKA0bw9k