So last week:
Tuesday we were down again at the Hermitage of Braid, carrying on with the weaving of hurdles to try and reconstruct the river bank and combat erosion.
Despite telling everyone that we would be working in, by and near a river; nearly everyone had to go back to the van to get wellies once we’d surveyed the site!
The weaving was suprisingly good fun – if somewhat awkward to try and get each piece round this way then that way.
Every so often there would be a *snap* followed closely behind by a ‘**!??**!!!’ creating a nice sort of rhythm.
Well done to Kate and Rob who completed the third hurdle in about half an hour! Such speed!
Once the hurdles were completed and put in place, the back filling began. Good old type 1 barrowing (mixed with some soil) and boom! There’s your path – good as new (if not better).
On Wednesday we were back at the dreaded Polkemmet Pond. Still clearing out the mud and vegetation from inside the pond; with some vegetation clearance outside of the water also being an option. It was really tough going in the pond – the mud was neither solid nor liquid and could not (or didnt want to) be removed. There were 2 ccontestants for ‘Muddiest Person’, myself and Dave (Adams)!We were all smelling of l’eau de Polkemmet by the end of the day.
After lunch – during which it rained heavily – 2 very successful nature walks took place – going round the aforementioned pond and up the river past the mausoleum of the last owners of the Polkemmet Estate. Many species spotted. Most should not have been there.
Thursday was the final day at Donkey Field Orchard. We were all suprised to find the fence in the same state as we had left it the previous week – nobody had wrecked the gate!
Work continued on the fence: slats being measured, cut, painted and screwed in to place. Looked fabulous by the end of the day.
To view photos of past and present projects and our volunteers in action please click here