juggling time

A disjointed couple of weeks...
Unpredictable and often intense or continuous rain has left me behind on a few outdoor tasks at home and at the field.
The grass (and weeds) have grown a fair bit and the longer grass has layered a bit with all the rain.
I took some time out for visits here and there, noseying through relatively local landscapes.

The National Vegetation Classification grassland study day locally was excellent. I'll definitely be looking at more courses - handy being less than a couple of miles from my plot too.

An independent survey carried out on the orchard, a few more tasks to carry out correcting and protecting whilst things are still relatively young. (A few more apples on the trees than I would have liked so early in their life-span, I'm sure I nipped more buds out).

A decent book picked up after coffee & cake in Oswestry - A Northern Marches Pomonia.
Whilst over that way, a visit to some woodland I helped replant and look after.

The Austrian scythe is excellent, I'm really pleased with it and it has proved quite useful at the field.

A weekend away at The Secret Garden Party Festival - not much gardening (initially a lot of rain on the Thursday), but quite a scenic and interesting setting and a good lecture on alternative modern farming in one of the fringe tents.

Back at the field and it has been intensely sunny for a few days. Some time spent clearing vegetation from around the fruit trees, ther looks to have been quite a bit of vole activity.
At home some more of the tree stocks potted on and a minor bit of machinery and implement tidying and maintenance.
Next week another big mow if we have a few sunny days on the run...

time marches on

I've had the meadow 2 years now, although planning and preparation to be a custodian of a small project plot of land has been over a longer period...

Two summers in succession appear quite different, last year was rather dry, the newly planted fruit trees requiring additional watering. This year there are flood alerts at what should be the height of summer.

I'm stuck at work at the moment, some weather delays and other issues could overlap into next week's shift change, I'm hoping the travel backlog rapidly clears.
Uncle gave the field a look over, certainly increasing grass growth and a bit damp. The trees with apples on seem to be doing well.

I had a quick look at The Hampton Court Flower Show on T.V. There were a few locally made Gabriel Ash glass-houses in various show gardens.
Timing and my work rota means I haven't been able to visit many shows this year.

Locally, I looking forward to be on a habitat / vegetation course, near to the field with Wildlife Workshops.
The weather will dictate what I do for the rest of June outdoors.

Forestry Panel Report

After the public outcry last year at the proposed Forestry Commission break-up and sell off, the 72 page Independent Panel Report was published today.
The 'Save Our Woods Campaign' has also published a response...

On Twitter and in the media, at least one NGO The Woodlands Trust, has been quick to comment at the report publication.
It is a shame that NGOs were reluctant to comment at the proposed forest estate sell-off until the public disquiet had reached a noticeable critical mass.
Some have speculated a general silence at the time on the issue by major conservation organisations was because of an interest in carve-up opportunities.

It will be early 2013 before (if) the Government act on what are at present recommendations in the report.
I have singled out The Woodland Trust above, as I'm seriously considering my membership. Their inertia regarding a stance on the proposed sell-off and more recently their corporate sponsors.
These include Ikea and Forest Holidays.
Controversial revelations suggest Ikea's timber extraction business has compromised swathes of former USSR forest in an unsustainable manner.
Forest Holidays (this years corporate sponsors of the Woodland Trust) have a controversial planning application for holiday homes in Delamere Forest here in Cheshire.

Working full-time in the oil & gas industry, I must consider all this from a pot and black kettle scenario with respect to looking after my own 2 acre plot with conservation leanings... One thing is certain, money doesn't grow on trees, so I understand the need of an organisation for fund-raising above just membership subscriptions. Alternative funding shouldn't compromise principles though.

Another swathe of public estate that changed this week (almost un-noticed in various media) is the former British Waterways which has become the Canal & River Trust.
There have been various proposals to sell off and fragment the canal network since it's nationalisation and commercial / industrial decline.
In recent years it has seen a boom in leisure business and like the Forestry Commission more than broke even in it's entirety. I cynically wonder what will happen to potential development land along Britain's canals and properties which at present endow the canal network in a financial level of sustainability?

Closer to home (or at least the plot), there are proposals for a 1 giga-Watt gas power-station on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.
The first I had heard of it, trying not to be too N.I.M.B.Y.istic, I couldn't help but look if large gas-lines or power-lines were going to plough across my field.
The east side of the Industrial Estate around Ridley Wood / Bowling Bank might end up with some large gas-main excavations.

work and weather

Busy on a remote island with the proper job at the moment.
Back at home, the rain continues and the grass continues to grow. At least the River Dee level remains sensible.

There seems to be a small rural crime wave.
From Cheshire Police Western Rural web pages:
Friesian cows stolen
Tractor thefts
Also, actor Ricky Tomlinson's caravan stolen - this from just up the river from the meadow.

A little more background research on some of the more obscure fruit trees I've planted and some revision through the old established books of J.C. Loudon.