Tuesday 11 December 2018

Even damper underfoot, but sunny overhead


As soon as we heard which village we would be travelling to for this week’s session, we had a pretty good idea what the task would be.  And therefore what footwear would be appropriate, regardless of the sparklingly clear sunshine:



Wellingtons for the workers, because sure enough, the main task was, as anticipated, in this home to the old watercress beds, water-channel clearance.  That might have been why, when he spotted the opportunity to do something different, one worker instantly leaped into action, to clear the pathway to the gate.  Or maybe he was just keen!



There certainly was an awful lot of surplus watercress (and other vegetation) to remove:




On such a lovely day, though, workers could hardly but smile as they set to:





Meanwhile, on the other side of the bridge, further downstream there was some more willow-coppicing to tackle:



The best plan seemed to be for Green-Gymmers to cut from either side:




Occasionally, it was best for volunteers to work as a pair – one either side of a recalcitrant branch.  Some targets looked quite alluring, only to prove to be the most difficult to take out.  [“Ever fallen in love? (Love???) / In love with someone / You shouldn’t’ve fallen in love with”? – Ed.]

The temptations at tea-break consisted of four different kinds of truly excellent home-made bakes:




After that, volunteers returned to work with even more vigour.  People must have been having a ball, because a pile of willow-rods grew steadily. 

25 per bundle.
– That’s rather a lot, isn’t it.
– Yes, it’s a special offer for this time of year ; 



Upstream of the bridge, there were by the end of the ball some wonderfully clear channels, and some very contented-looking workers:





 



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