Now, I have driven tractors before but never on proper roads, and today, I got the chance too. It was certainly different. I now completely understand how farmers feel now when they have to drive along A roads. I was quite nervous when I set off. It sounds stupid but I really hate holding people up so as you can guess, when in a tractor, its inevitable that you end up going a lot slower than everyone else on the roads.
We had our Wednesday volunteers out today so it was a really busy day. We were working in Cheddar Gorge today, cutting bramble and small samplings to improve the limestone grassland.
A great walk up through the Gorge
Half of the Gorge is owned by Longleat. They have been doing their annual Rock inspections the past few weeks which has meant that some of the rock has been removed from the sides of the Gorge - perfect for going into Drystone Walls :D Hence why I was driving around in the tractor today. The rocks that we claimed, then went up to the top of Crook Peak.
Over 15 years, volunteers have been renovating a drystone wall that climbs up towards the top of the peak. There is still a small stretch to complete so we hope to get up there in the new year.
What a lovely weekend to be out and about in the Fresh Air. Took myself for a little bike ride this afternoon along the cycle track to Axbridge. I did have to look twice when I was riding as it runs alongside a football pitch then behind that is the reservoir. Whilst the guys were busy with a game of football, it looked like there were sailing boats on the pitch too. I stopped myself mid thought and realised that this is Somerset I have moved too and its flat... very flat. Meaning a) boats can't float on land and b) they were therefore floating on the 'Cheddar Pond' as they call it round here.
The Friday just gone I was on the Polden Hills working with a chap from the Somerset Wildlife Trust and another chap from the Clarks Trust/ Millfield School. We were clearing a small area of scrub and doing a spot of hedge laying - this turned into tree felling and coppicing as some of the hazel was to big. I cant remember at all what the site was called but its very close to Walton and Collard Hill. The site is great for the white letter hairstreak butterfly and hopefully very soon; the Large Blue Butterfly. I had a great day as it gave me chance to use the chainsaw. I am not too keen to use it when we have loads of volunteers about as it isn't exactly a 'social, nice, quiet day in the countryside' when using it. However, we didn't have any vols out with us so I got plenty of practise learning different techniques and learnt loads from it.
I think next week will be pretty full on again. Monday I am going to be doing the prep work for the hedgelaying that we will be doing on Wednesday, (cutting hazel stakes for the hedge.) If things go to plan, (sometimes as a ranger, things quite often don't go to plan may I just add) myself and George will be going to Glastonbury Tor to finish off the kissing gate in one of the Orchards - improving access for the public who walk around the Tor.
Tuesday I have got a really exciting day as we have the first of hopefully many days with the Autistic Society. We will be going to the top of the Cheddar Gorge to do some much need scrub cutting. Doing this will improve the quality of the Limestone Grassland - unfortunately a declining habitat due to changing farming practises and ever encroaching scrub.
Anyway, that's enough from me, I am sure you have had enough of reading about my adventures for the day. Lets hope the weather stays nice so we can complete the work at the Tor tomorrow.
