Just how far is a jiffy?

The weather was not looking too bad when we arrived on site.  A pity the photographer was initially pointing the lens in the wrong direction!

   

We should have guessed that where the sheep were in the way, that was the way we should be heading.  Not for the first time at this site, the first task was to persuade these ladies that they were not going to take advantage of a gate being opened to let a landie through with our equipment:

Having got to the correct location, we found that there was a little ‘shaving’ to be done: cutting back invasive scrub so that chalk grassland remains chalk-grassland habitat.  Did we have any doubts we would clear our assigned area?  Of course not!  (“We’ll have that done in a jiffy.”)  The main force naturally split into two main groups, “to surround the enemy and catch them in a pincer movement – or should that be a lopper movement?”

   

Meantime, the Fire Master was investing some time and effort in his P&P.  Some Green-Gymmers may have had their doubts as to whether he would get a decent blaze going, but in this, as in so many areas of life, planning & preparation really are key to success:

“Where did I put the matches?”

“That’s better: more like a proper fire.”

“And now it’s almost burning faster than we can feed it: more hands needed to feed the beast!”

Inevitably, one Green-Gymmer found trouble followed her around:

So far so good: reaching the parts that other loppers cannot reach.

“Oops!  Have we overextended ourselves?”

Is that a pair of loppers looking fixed?

Yes it certainly was: well done, our toolmaster!

In the skies above, Red Kites were keeping a close eye on progress.  Doubtless it was not so much us they were interested in, as the possibility that as the scrub-patch shrank, this might have flushed out something good for dinner:

Our own refreshments were taken in a decidedly exposed location:

After the break, we were glad that most of the action was a little further down the scarp.  In some cases, very close to the scarp.  No, the scene below is not an accident, nor “another fine mess you’ve gotten me into” situation.  This was a “sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits and .... cuts down trees!” moment:

Having had success in beating the ‘scrub island’ into submission, the main party moved on to another area needing “a full back & sides”.  By this time, there was a distinct touch of moisture in the air.  But it was a question of collars up and press on, reflecting that it was nowhere near as bad as some other occasions we have been here:

By session end the weather had dried up again, the bonfire could be reduced to a safe condition to leave, the site warden was well pleased (“was a great session, and a lot of scrub was bashed – which is … great!”) and we too could see where we had been, as well as where there might just be a little bit more to do another time: