Steadily busy with work and with a bit of extra wildlife here 150 miles from land.
Too late for bare-rooted trees now, but Thompson & Morgan had some fruit trees on offer in pots, so I got a Cherry 'Sunburst' and a Victoria Plum and a grape vine for novelty.
No need to worry about water for the trees in the field for now with the rain back at home. The River Dee levels up too for the first time since January's mild flooding.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
A quiet week...
A noticeable 'greening' of vegetation at the field.
All of the pear trees are in blossom, the quince not far behind and the 30+ varieties of apple varying from just about to break open buds, through to leaves and blossom. The mulberries and walnuts are still without leaf but the hazels are progressing. The hawthorn and willow in the hedges are well into leaf, including those newly planted.
Quite a few things still to plant throughout the year ahead from stock in pots, including some stuff donated by friends from local seed. A couple of visitors during the week - always pleasant to have a chat about what's happing with the field and also generally locally in the village and just over the border on the Welsh side of the river.
One negative event was local teenagers up and down the footpath on a mini-motorbike and then riding around through a neighbour's crop and disturbing the horses in the next field, the police are apparently aware...
The 'copse' part in the name meadowcopse (a northern European term for pasture / woodland margin) has had some further planting on the narrow east shadier side of the field - this opens out onto a common hazel hedge, before the 6 metre grid planting of the orchard starting with nut trees...
A few more low spots in the grass levelled from last months lorry of topsoil and some work along the gateway planting up gaps with more hawthorns and reducing the spread of soil onto the access track, then reseeding bare soil with a native northern hedgerow wildflower seed mix. The first proper cut of the grass for the year, mainly as with last April to reduce dandelion seeds proliferating, partly backed up by root extraction. 1/2 an acre of grass is left long to the west side, for cutting later in the year (with patches of meadowsweet already breaking through as well as cuckoo flower in a couple of places).
All of the pear trees are in blossom, the quince not far behind and the 30+ varieties of apple varying from just about to break open buds, through to leaves and blossom. The mulberries and walnuts are still without leaf but the hazels are progressing. The hawthorn and willow in the hedges are well into leaf, including those newly planted.
Quite a few things still to plant throughout the year ahead from stock in pots, including some stuff donated by friends from local seed. A couple of visitors during the week - always pleasant to have a chat about what's happing with the field and also generally locally in the village and just over the border on the Welsh side of the river.
One negative event was local teenagers up and down the footpath on a mini-motorbike and then riding around through a neighbour's crop and disturbing the horses in the next field, the police are apparently aware...
The 'copse' part in the name meadowcopse (a northern European term for pasture / woodland margin) has had some further planting on the narrow east shadier side of the field - this opens out onto a common hazel hedge, before the 6 metre grid planting of the orchard starting with nut trees...
A few more low spots in the grass levelled from last months lorry of topsoil and some work along the gateway planting up gaps with more hawthorns and reducing the spread of soil onto the access track, then reseeding bare soil with a native northern hedgerow wildflower seed mix. The first proper cut of the grass for the year, mainly as with last April to reduce dandelion seeds proliferating, partly backed up by root extraction. 1/2 an acre of grass is left long to the west side, for cutting later in the year (with patches of meadowsweet already breaking through as well as cuckoo flower in a couple of places).
Sunday, 8 April 2012
A busy week ahead
Back in Cheshire late last week and recovering from night-shifts. Quite a noticeable difference after two weeks away from land...
A few hours at the field Thursday and Friday, mainly levelling soil in a few low spots ready for more grass seed.
An over-proliferation of dandelions (fortunately a lot less than last year), have had an attack on two fronts: flowers and leaves sliced with the strimmer and where possible, extensive roots extracted with the Fiskars tool.
A couple of visitors, always a pleasure to share ideas and outlook.
Quite a bit of wildflower growth in the hedgerow coming through and a mystery flower to identify?
A busy week ahead with odd jobs and landscaping to progress.
Meanwhile, a weekend of Goth music in Sheffield before a return to things pastoral...
Just about finished reading a book 'Gardening - philosophy for everyone' some parts are a bit heavy, but more than a few essays overlap wilderness and cultivation with arcadian thoughts and imagery.
A few hours at the field Thursday and Friday, mainly levelling soil in a few low spots ready for more grass seed.
An over-proliferation of dandelions (fortunately a lot less than last year), have had an attack on two fronts: flowers and leaves sliced with the strimmer and where possible, extensive roots extracted with the Fiskars tool.
A couple of visitors, always a pleasure to share ideas and outlook.
Quite a bit of wildflower growth in the hedgerow coming through and a mystery flower to identify?
A busy week ahead with odd jobs and landscaping to progress.
Meanwhile, a weekend of Goth music in Sheffield before a return to things pastoral...
Just about finished reading a book 'Gardening - philosophy for everyone' some parts are a bit heavy, but more than a few essays overlap wilderness and cultivation with arcadian thoughts and imagery.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Shopping list...
Looking to fill a couple of gaps in the orchard and hedgerow with nursery pot-grown specimens of the following:
Rosa mollis / villosa (soft downy rose)
Rosa stylosa (short styled field rose)
Sorbopyrus auricularis 'bulbiformis'
Sorbopyrus auricularis 'malifolia'
(Shipova / Bolwyller pears)
I'm struggling to find specific suppliers?
(I have 1 Sorbopyrus auricularis from Cool Temperate Nurseries)
Rosa mollis / villosa (soft downy rose)
Rosa stylosa (short styled field rose)
Sorbopyrus auricularis 'bulbiformis'
Sorbopyrus auricularis 'malifolia'
(Shipova / Bolwyller pears)
I'm struggling to find specific suppliers?
(I have 1 Sorbopyrus auricularis from Cool Temperate Nurseries)
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
The orchard
The present orchard layout detailed on a spreadsheet...
(detail is 'work in progress')
The 'normal' job interrupts planting activities for now, but that also is suffering a few distractions.
:
(detail is 'work in progress')
The 'normal' job interrupts planting activities for now, but that also is suffering a few distractions.
:
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Spring
A busy few weeks at the field...
Most of the lorry-load of topsoil now used for levelling a couple of low spots
and for planting the last for now of the nut and fruit trees in a traditional orchard setting.
A fine full moon and reasonable weather meant an opportunity to work quite late a few nights:
Although I'm sure the conversation "I think there's someone in that field with a wheelbarrow and shovel..." for the random car that turned up one night down the track at 9pm might have caused the amorous occupants some concern.
Chestnuts, walnuts and a line of named variety and hedgerow hazels now form one edge of the orchard.
A couple of willing helpers moved things on with the planting and preparations:
The overhanging young willows along one boundary have been taken vertical.
This is to get to the blocked ditch and to fix the fencing (and also re-seeding with a native hedgerow wild-flower and grass mix beneath.
A few trees planted too.
The 'copse' part towards the corner of the gateway boundary finally started, mainly with ash, but with a few oaks and others randomised in the mix. (The intention is to coppice in future years).
The east side of the field has had a new section of hedging put in along the side of the gate-way. Hawthorn with a dog-rose and some hedgerow plants.
Quite a noticeable amount of growth with the grass and along the hedgerows - anemones noticeable in the south hedgerow.
The almond tree is in full blossom:
The quince are the first of the fruit trees into leaf, with various bud development on the other trees, particularly pear and hazel.
Quite a bit of wildlife getting lively, lots of birds - the owls calling in the evenings, a woodpecker near by and small mammals in the hedgerows.
Various visitors over the last couple of weeks - welcome and otherwise.
Some interesting chat with regular and random walkers, but a bizarre situation last Saturday afternoon:
Three people, quite smartly dressed with a black & white terrier (a man and woman about 30 and another male about mid-twenties), walking down the access track, then lurking under the by-pass underpass for about 15 minutes and looking across now and then at me planting trees in the field...
They walked on into the field north of the bypass (not a public path, but often used between the riverside path and the trackway footpath). Something seemed 'odd' - I went to the other underpass along the edge of my field and the 30 year-old was just about to spray graffiti on the concrete structure. He tried to hide the can in his jacket pocket, a polite challenge and they went to move on - although the younger male protested "It's a public walkway!" (as if that made it OK and I pointed out that actually it wasn't).
Meanwhile, I've taken the damaged metal gate from the bottom of the access track for re-welding and repair and to securely refit as soon as possible.
More positively, further pleasant chat with locals and neighbours and a new private alllotment opened up on the Welsh side of the river - also swapped details with a few folk to communicate on suspicious activities and anti-social behaviour.
Most of the lorry-load of topsoil now used for levelling a couple of low spots
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
and for planting the last for now of the nut and fruit trees in a traditional orchard setting.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
A fine full moon and reasonable weather meant an opportunity to work quite late a few nights:
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
Chestnuts, walnuts and a line of named variety and hedgerow hazels now form one edge of the orchard.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
A couple of willing helpers moved things on with the planting and preparations:
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
The overhanging young willows along one boundary have been taken vertical.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
This is to get to the blocked ditch and to fix the fencing (and also re-seeding with a native hedgerow wild-flower and grass mix beneath.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
A few trees planted too.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
The 'copse' part towards the corner of the gateway boundary finally started, mainly with ash, but with a few oaks and others randomised in the mix. (The intention is to coppice in future years).
The east side of the field has had a new section of hedging put in along the side of the gate-way. Hawthorn with a dog-rose and some hedgerow plants.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
Quite a noticeable amount of growth with the grass and along the hedgerows - anemones noticeable in the south hedgerow.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
The almond tree is in full blossom:
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
Quite a bit of wildlife getting lively, lots of birds - the owls calling in the evenings, a woodpecker near by and small mammals in the hedgerows.
Various visitors over the last couple of weeks - welcome and otherwise.
Some interesting chat with regular and random walkers, but a bizarre situation last Saturday afternoon:
Three people, quite smartly dressed with a black & white terrier (a man and woman about 30 and another male about mid-twenties), walking down the access track, then lurking under the by-pass underpass for about 15 minutes and looking across now and then at me planting trees in the field...
They walked on into the field north of the bypass (not a public path, but often used between the riverside path and the trackway footpath). Something seemed 'odd' - I went to the other underpass along the edge of my field and the 30 year-old was just about to spray graffiti on the concrete structure. He tried to hide the can in his jacket pocket, a polite challenge and they went to move on - although the younger male protested "It's a public walkway!" (as if that made it OK and I pointed out that actually it wasn't).
Meanwhile, I've taken the damaged metal gate from the bottom of the access track for re-welding and repair and to securely refit as soon as possible.
More positively, further pleasant chat with locals and neighbours and a new private alllotment opened up on the Welsh side of the river - also swapped details with a few folk to communicate on suspicious activities and anti-social behaviour.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Get orf my (neighbour's) laand !
Thursday last week started busy - taking the sides of overhanging willow along the north boundary vertical - this is to allow access for fencing and ditch maintenance.
Hopefully when finished I'll be over-seeding disturbed ground with a hedgerow grass and wild-flower mix soon.
I took the opportunity of a fine day and favourable ground conditions to run a cambridge roll over the grass (the individual rings make turning on the plot geometry a lot less messy).
During this, a car came and lurked along the track a few times (Google still haven't taken the StreetView footage down) - It wanted to speed off when I came to the bottom of the field, but 5 people in a small hot-hatch with low ground clearance wasn't a match for the Landrover, even in low-ratio with 1 tonne of roller behind.
They said they were waiting for a mate with a quad-bike, "We've got permission."
"Who off?" "The farmer" "Which one?" (as I scribbled down their reg number) "The one from Farndon..." "Well you won't mind me phoning him to check will you..." "Erm, we were just going anyway."
Saturday was busy again, some ground clearance around the gateway for more hedging plants.
Another car in the evening tucked under the underpass, as I was up the other end of the field - they seemed a bit surprised as I drove down to sort the gates - they seemed quite eager to leave when they realised people were about...
(One of the neighbours has since mentioned suspicious activity and a recent break-in in the area, as well as teenagers larking about late at night at the castle).
The buds are breaking through on the almond and on the quince
First strim & trim of 2012 around the base of the orchard tree mulch, the grass noticeably coming up now.
A couple of pleasant riverside walks to Holt, thanks again to Deli-Fine and Hildegard's for keeping me going when I've not got the camping stove simmering away.
Working late last night with some ground levelling I saw something small move, a newt...
Some fascinating chat over the last few days with some of the regular walkers and people I haven't met before. Some one-off walkers from further away and a few people out of the village who have started to see the changes down at the field and were curious as to what it was about.
Wild birds are really noticeable now, the woodpecker can be heard, but 2 fields away this year, rather than returning of one of the ash trees in the hedge. The owls at night are calling at each other and the buzzards swooping high above and lots of diverse smaller bird life in the hedges.
Another chat with members from the local history society and maybe a bit of a project on the ground this year too...
Hopefully when finished I'll be over-seeding disturbed ground with a hedgerow grass and wild-flower mix soon.
I took the opportunity of a fine day and favourable ground conditions to run a cambridge roll over the grass (the individual rings make turning on the plot geometry a lot less messy).
During this, a car came and lurked along the track a few times (Google still haven't taken the StreetView footage down) - It wanted to speed off when I came to the bottom of the field, but 5 people in a small hot-hatch with low ground clearance wasn't a match for the Landrover, even in low-ratio with 1 tonne of roller behind.
They said they were waiting for a mate with a quad-bike, "We've got permission."
"Who off?" "The farmer" "Which one?" (as I scribbled down their reg number) "The one from Farndon..." "Well you won't mind me phoning him to check will you..." "Erm, we were just going anyway."
Saturday was busy again, some ground clearance around the gateway for more hedging plants.
Another car in the evening tucked under the underpass, as I was up the other end of the field - they seemed a bit surprised as I drove down to sort the gates - they seemed quite eager to leave when they realised people were about...
(One of the neighbours has since mentioned suspicious activity and a recent break-in in the area, as well as teenagers larking about late at night at the castle).
The buds are breaking through on the almond and on the quince
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
First strim & trim of 2012 around the base of the orchard tree mulch, the grass noticeably coming up now.
A couple of pleasant riverside walks to Holt, thanks again to Deli-Fine and Hildegard's for keeping me going when I've not got the camping stove simmering away.
Working late last night with some ground levelling I saw something small move, a newt...
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
Some fascinating chat over the last few days with some of the regular walkers and people I haven't met before. Some one-off walkers from further away and a few people out of the village who have started to see the changes down at the field and were curious as to what it was about.
Wild birds are really noticeable now, the woodpecker can be heard, but 2 fields away this year, rather than returning of one of the ash trees in the hedge. The owls at night are calling at each other and the buzzards swooping high above and lots of diverse smaller bird life in the hedges.
Another chat with members from the local history society and maybe a bit of a project on the ground this year too...
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Fallow fields
My 'proper job' puts a pause on progress at the meadow - despite grey and frosty weather over the last couple of weeks, the grass is noticeably green and wildlife seems sufficiently lively.
A few small bird species noticeable in the hedgerows and the woodpecker is back chiselling away high in an ash tree again. Two herons are regularly in the maize field behind and the buzzards calling from above.
An interesting programme on BBC 2 tonight, Bees, Butterflies and Blooms - mainly about the decline and reintroduction of perennial wild flowers.
A short while ago, a search on geo-tags brought up a link to some stunning local dragon-fly photos. One picture from around 2009 appears to have been taken on some meadowsweet in the field.
A couple of books on the go, I've just about finished Gardening: Philosophy for Everyone: Cultivating Wisdom - a series of essays that are wide ranging, from the Ancient Greeks, Versailles, The English Landscape Garden, Central Park and modern gardens from a philosophical standpoint.
The next book is The Making of the English Gardener: Plants, Books and Inspiration, 1560-1660
Locally, a Landrover and trailer have been stolen from near Malpas.
A few small bird species noticeable in the hedgerows and the woodpecker is back chiselling away high in an ash tree again. Two herons are regularly in the maize field behind and the buzzards calling from above.
An interesting programme on BBC 2 tonight, Bees, Butterflies and Blooms - mainly about the decline and reintroduction of perennial wild flowers.
A short while ago, a search on geo-tags brought up a link to some stunning local dragon-fly photos. One picture from around 2009 appears to have been taken on some meadowsweet in the field.
A couple of books on the go, I've just about finished Gardening: Philosophy for Everyone: Cultivating Wisdom - a series of essays that are wide ranging, from the Ancient Greeks, Versailles, The English Landscape Garden, Central Park and modern gardens from a philosophical standpoint.
The next book is The Making of the English Gardener: Plants, Books and Inspiration, 1560-1660
Locally, a Landrover and trailer have been stolen from near Malpas.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Sex and drugs and rock & roll
The downside of a remote rural plot down a quiet lane is occasional anti-social and illegal activity in the area.
Not much done this week, at least it was dry for a while with the frost and I was able to level some low spots on the field between the orchard trees.
Too frosty to transplant anything and the weekend started with rain turning to sleet.
A random white Transit flat back truck caught my eye on Friday. I was parked near the edge of the field and near the gate when I saw it drive down the track before it saw me - when it did, it rapidly reversed back and away up the by-pass. Maybe fly-tippers or someone up to no good (didn't get chance to get the reg number).
Saturday was spent at Erddig Hall with the Head Gardener running an orchard and pruning workshop organised through Cheshire Landscape Trust. Rather informative, although the weather was against us for practical sessions outside.
Back to the field late afternoon, but continuous rain prevented anything but a quick wander around. The track by the underpass had a bit of rubbish dropped from car windows (probably enough DNA sexual activity debris for half a TV crime series) and small empty bags of drug related substances - the Police pay a bit of attention to this area, so it's only a matter of time before they intercept someone again.
Back at home I've been going through a load of wild flower seeds in the fridge, but still too early to sow any (although compost and seed trays are stacked up in the workshop ready to go).
I'd hoped the last week would have been a bit more productive for stuff on the 'to do' list, but the weather and ground conditions put a stop to much.
A couple of days out: Oswestry and Sheffield via scenic routes, always inspirational for things in the landscape.
Not much done this week, at least it was dry for a while with the frost and I was able to level some low spots on the field between the orchard trees.
Too frosty to transplant anything and the weekend started with rain turning to sleet.
A random white Transit flat back truck caught my eye on Friday. I was parked near the edge of the field and near the gate when I saw it drive down the track before it saw me - when it did, it rapidly reversed back and away up the by-pass. Maybe fly-tippers or someone up to no good (didn't get chance to get the reg number).
Saturday was spent at Erddig Hall with the Head Gardener running an orchard and pruning workshop organised through Cheshire Landscape Trust. Rather informative, although the weather was against us for practical sessions outside.
Back to the field late afternoon, but continuous rain prevented anything but a quick wander around. The track by the underpass had a bit of rubbish dropped from car windows (probably enough DNA sexual activity debris for half a TV crime series) and small empty bags of drug related substances - the Police pay a bit of attention to this area, so it's only a matter of time before they intercept someone again.
Back at home I've been going through a load of wild flower seeds in the fridge, but still too early to sow any (although compost and seed trays are stacked up in the workshop ready to go).
I'd hoped the last week would have been a bit more productive for stuff on the 'to do' list, but the weather and ground conditions put a stop to much.
A couple of days out: Oswestry and Sheffield via scenic routes, always inspirational for things in the landscape.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
rain stops play
Recovering from 2 weeks of night-shifts facilitated an early start back at home.
Wide awake for 5am - too dark to do much outside, but catching day-break down at the field and moving some of the floated hedgerow wood debris from when the River Dee last came over its banks.
A couple of frosts, but not persistent enough to dry things up and sporadic rain has made the ground greasy underfoot.
Some of the nursery stock of young trees shuffled about at home and a little bit of levelling at the field of a low spot between the cider apple trees.
Another spell looking over the 1735 map and overlapping modern features in the landscape.
A couple of enigmas to resolve - a LIDAR aerial view and depressions in the ground match a 90 degree boundary marked 100+ meters further south than expected. The map also pre-dates alterations to 'Appleby's Drain' the ditch from Crewe-by-Farndon that drops into the River Dee.
A pair of herons again in the maize field behind.
Not much pencilled in for the weekend, other than organisational things...
Wide awake for 5am - too dark to do much outside, but catching day-break down at the field and moving some of the floated hedgerow wood debris from when the River Dee last came over its banks.
A couple of frosts, but not persistent enough to dry things up and sporadic rain has made the ground greasy underfoot.
Some of the nursery stock of young trees shuffled about at home and a little bit of levelling at the field of a low spot between the cider apple trees.
Another spell looking over the 1735 map and overlapping modern features in the landscape.
A couple of enigmas to resolve - a LIDAR aerial view and depressions in the ground match a 90 degree boundary marked 100+ meters further south than expected. The map also pre-dates alterations to 'Appleby's Drain' the ditch from Crewe-by-Farndon that drops into the River Dee.
 |
| From History |
A pair of herons again in the maize field behind.
Not much pencilled in for the weekend, other than organisational things...
Monday, 23 January 2012
and a parcel of meadow in Farnedon, pledged to him by Thomas Dicon and Wenthliana his wife
Somewhere in these old Deeds there might be reference to my field...
I have patchy access to nearly 400 years of documents with modern, tithe or old estate maps with direct plot detail.
Prior to 1735 it becomes difficult, although some of those linked in the National Archives are intriguing for their Farndon detail and descriptions.
I've managed to approximate a modern aerial overlay with the copy of the estate map from 1735 and 2 boundaries appear to be well established. The 'lost' track to the south hedgerow is marked as a narrow strip and part of the Leche of Carden estate.
The local long-standing family names of Barnston and Leche appear in strips within the existing boundaries...
The month of January of a new year has almost expired and most of my 2012 to-do list is still in my head - weather, seasons, time and ground conditions permitting for a range of jobs ahead.
The reintroduction of local native plant species at the field margins is a priority for spring, as well as eradication of Himalayan Balsam and a serious reduction in dandelions. Hopefully the existing Cuckoo Flowers will proliferate.
Fences, hedges, tree-planting and grassland management to get on with, as well as servicing some of the machinery used to manage it all.
Still a number of specialist fruit trees to go in... (1 acre of the 2 as traditional orchard at 6m grid spacing has rapidly filled).
Some days and nights ahead camping during longer work-scopes, as well as a few shared and social activities from a local history and wildlife and home-grown aspect and generally enjoying it as a big green open space.
In the nearer future, just a couple of night-shifts left before 2 weeks off work and a pleasant walk along the River Dee and coffee & breakfast at Deli-Fine now they are open again after their New-Year break.
I have patchy access to nearly 400 years of documents with modern, tithe or old estate maps with direct plot detail.
Prior to 1735 it becomes difficult, although some of those linked in the National Archives are intriguing for their Farndon detail and descriptions.
I've managed to approximate a modern aerial overlay with the copy of the estate map from 1735 and 2 boundaries appear to be well established. The 'lost' track to the south hedgerow is marked as a narrow strip and part of the Leche of Carden estate.
The local long-standing family names of Barnston and Leche appear in strips within the existing boundaries...
The month of January of a new year has almost expired and most of my 2012 to-do list is still in my head - weather, seasons, time and ground conditions permitting for a range of jobs ahead.
The reintroduction of local native plant species at the field margins is a priority for spring, as well as eradication of Himalayan Balsam and a serious reduction in dandelions. Hopefully the existing Cuckoo Flowers will proliferate.
Fences, hedges, tree-planting and grassland management to get on with, as well as servicing some of the machinery used to manage it all.
Still a number of specialist fruit trees to go in... (1 acre of the 2 as traditional orchard at 6m grid spacing has rapidly filled).
Some days and nights ahead camping during longer work-scopes, as well as a few shared and social activities from a local history and wildlife and home-grown aspect and generally enjoying it as a big green open space.
In the nearer future, just a couple of night-shifts left before 2 weeks off work and a pleasant walk along the River Dee and coffee & breakfast at Deli-Fine now they are open again after their New-Year break.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
An Englishman's home is his castle...
The land lies briefly fallow whilst I get on with my proper job for a short spell.
I'm surrounded by water for 150 miles in any direction at present, but fortunately back home the River Dee has dropped by a few metres.
The field was accessible last week, with a few inches of water in low spots and Monday saw just a large puddle. I'll carefully level and re-seed the grass where it is low around the orchard trees.
Noticeably, each time the river floods, ladybirds cluster at the top of fenceposts...
I was a little surprised to see the bees high up the hollow ash tree particularly active.
A couple of herons on the lower wet fields, geese and ducks noisy in the evenings and still the ocasional large bird of prey in the hedgeline that seems larger than the buzzards.
I'm now thinking the large paw print is not a badger, but a mystery - probably a large dog, as the only similar large cat would alarmingly be a puma!
An email from the County Records Office - 3 digital images now on CD of a large 1700s estate map showing good detail of various land holdings east of the River.
In my spare time, a little more local history and landscape research, although I'm particularly keen to liaise with the local history society regarding field walks and features in the landscape. Some intriguing hedgerow and track alignments spanning both sides of the river, particularly near the remains of the castle.
The Castle has a mixed history, such things tend mainly to be symbols of Welsh suppression, but the English haven't always had things their own way and some cross-border aliances and liaisons crop up in old deeds - although the drowning of two young members of historic Welsh aristocracy whilst under the guardianship of John de Warren in the 1300s leaves a folk tale of wailing voices beneath the Holt-Farndon Bridge on certain nights of the year...
While the river was up, I took some time at home to organise the remaining specialist orchard trees ready for the next planting session and considering the options for local variety wild-flower trial beds.
Then it was briefly off to Wiltshire, a stock up of some tools and consumables from Scats farm supplies at Salisbury, a few small items from a garden centre and a meander around a few riverside winter landscapes.
Some calendar filling for the year ahead - a few music festivities booked further afield, but some interesting local events on the horizon,
Whittington Castle (about 20 miles away) has a Green Fair, a Plant Hunter Fair and some interesting historical re-enactment days (as well as being an interesting place to visit near Oswestry). All the events I'm interested in are during spells when I'm away from my shift-work.
Not directly linked to my interests, but something in the news that wound me up, was the extradition hearing for Richard O'Dwyer where the US of A weren't happy (despite no UK crime) about his website hosting links to media downloads - he made a comparison to how Google works...
This reminded me that a Google Street-View vehicle had used and filmed along the gated private access track for which I have a legal right of use. I'll see how handy they are at acting upon a take-down request for privacy reasons...
I'm surrounded by water for 150 miles in any direction at present, but fortunately back home the River Dee has dropped by a few metres.
The field was accessible last week, with a few inches of water in low spots and Monday saw just a large puddle. I'll carefully level and re-seed the grass where it is low around the orchard trees.
Noticeably, each time the river floods, ladybirds cluster at the top of fenceposts...
I was a little surprised to see the bees high up the hollow ash tree particularly active.
A couple of herons on the lower wet fields, geese and ducks noisy in the evenings and still the ocasional large bird of prey in the hedgeline that seems larger than the buzzards.
I'm now thinking the large paw print is not a badger, but a mystery - probably a large dog, as the only similar large cat would alarmingly be a puma!
An email from the County Records Office - 3 digital images now on CD of a large 1700s estate map showing good detail of various land holdings east of the River.
In my spare time, a little more local history and landscape research, although I'm particularly keen to liaise with the local history society regarding field walks and features in the landscape. Some intriguing hedgerow and track alignments spanning both sides of the river, particularly near the remains of the castle.
The Castle has a mixed history, such things tend mainly to be symbols of Welsh suppression, but the English haven't always had things their own way and some cross-border aliances and liaisons crop up in old deeds - although the drowning of two young members of historic Welsh aristocracy whilst under the guardianship of John de Warren in the 1300s leaves a folk tale of wailing voices beneath the Holt-Farndon Bridge on certain nights of the year...
While the river was up, I took some time at home to organise the remaining specialist orchard trees ready for the next planting session and considering the options for local variety wild-flower trial beds.
Then it was briefly off to Wiltshire, a stock up of some tools and consumables from Scats farm supplies at Salisbury, a few small items from a garden centre and a meander around a few riverside winter landscapes.
Some calendar filling for the year ahead - a few music festivities booked further afield, but some interesting local events on the horizon,
Whittington Castle (about 20 miles away) has a Green Fair, a Plant Hunter Fair and some interesting historical re-enactment days (as well as being an interesting place to visit near Oswestry). All the events I'm interested in are during spells when I'm away from my shift-work.
Not directly linked to my interests, but something in the news that wound me up, was the extradition hearing for Richard O'Dwyer where the US of A weren't happy (despite no UK crime) about his website hosting links to media downloads - he made a comparison to how Google works...
This reminded me that a Google Street-View vehicle had used and filmed along the gated private access track for which I have a legal right of use. I'll see how handy they are at acting upon a take-down request for privacy reasons...
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
A start to 2012...
I saw new year in at the field and stopped overnight.
Rather than the tent, I'd been given a 6ft x 4ft garden shed that was surplus and with a bit of reconditioning, adjusted it to fit across the width of the plant-trailer on skids.
Together with the large picnic bench, base-camp was set up and a grey-squirrel stew on the go over a camp fire.
A couple of visitors saw a mild and relaxed start to the New Year, the spring oak-leaf wine ensured a very relaxed and comfortable retirement to a fishing bed-chair and thermal sleeping bag.
Morning came and just enough time to re-light the fire for tea and biscuits and a short walk along the River Dee until torrents of rain curtailed much for the morning. Giving up it was back to the sleeping bag with a book and nodding off.
A knock at the door (a novelty for a field in the middle of nowhere) - an old friend from school bearing mince pies just as the rain ebbed away...
A fire going again once the rain held back, then warm mince pies and hot drinks and a walk around the river and fields looking at landscape features and some interesting ideas regarding its history and approaches to the castle and river crossings.
Another night camping - a touch of frost but followed by rain, so a good cooked breakfast for Monday mid-morning. Another riverside walk, with the river level having come up a bit higher but the ground not too wet underfoot.
Some minor hedgerow tidying and a small oak seedling discovered in full leaf.
A little bit of soil levelling and then the trailer loaded up for home.
Tuesday came with automated messages from the Environment Agency regarding rising River Dee flood levels, during the day things remained dry on the ground, but a grey damp and cold day for getting anything done.
For the evening I took the chance to attend the public Parish Council meeting - efficiently and sensibly conducted...
Wednesday saw about half of the field with water up to about 8 inches deep, not much to do with it until the river levels subside.
Rather than the tent, I'd been given a 6ft x 4ft garden shed that was surplus and with a bit of reconditioning, adjusted it to fit across the width of the plant-trailer on skids.
Together with the large picnic bench, base-camp was set up and a grey-squirrel stew on the go over a camp fire.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
A couple of visitors saw a mild and relaxed start to the New Year, the spring oak-leaf wine ensured a very relaxed and comfortable retirement to a fishing bed-chair and thermal sleeping bag.
Morning came and just enough time to re-light the fire for tea and biscuits and a short walk along the River Dee until torrents of rain curtailed much for the morning. Giving up it was back to the sleeping bag with a book and nodding off.
A knock at the door (a novelty for a field in the middle of nowhere) - an old friend from school bearing mince pies just as the rain ebbed away...
A fire going again once the rain held back, then warm mince pies and hot drinks and a walk around the river and fields looking at landscape features and some interesting ideas regarding its history and approaches to the castle and river crossings.
Another night camping - a touch of frost but followed by rain, so a good cooked breakfast for Monday mid-morning. Another riverside walk, with the river level having come up a bit higher but the ground not too wet underfoot.
Some minor hedgerow tidying and a small oak seedling discovered in full leaf.
A little bit of soil levelling and then the trailer loaded up for home.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
Tuesday came with automated messages from the Environment Agency regarding rising River Dee flood levels, during the day things remained dry on the ground, but a grey damp and cold day for getting anything done.
For the evening I took the chance to attend the public Parish Council meeting - efficiently and sensibly conducted...
Wednesday saw about half of the field with water up to about 8 inches deep, not much to do with it until the river levels subside.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2012 |
Thursday, 15 December 2011
December
Back home and a few weeks off until mid-January...
A careful watch of the River Dee flood levels, after a couple of emails and automated calls of flood warnings and then an 'all-clear' at Farndon (for now).
The river is still within its banks for now, but Appleby's Brook and the ditches are up and some minor ingress at the south hedgerow low point.
A wander around this morning with no worries for now in ordinary boots.
After some of the weather from the last couple of weeks, I was keen to check the orchard trees. Fortunately everything was as I left it from two weeks ago.
The larger, recently planted cider apple trees have two Rubberloc commercial / amenity grade ties to hold them steady.
The frosts have finally turned the trees with late leaves left on. Rumours of snow on the way for the end of the week too...
Quite a bit of work to get done, but weather dependent. The waning moon and a couple of extra storm lanterns might compensate for a lack of daylight, but I'd like the river to subside at least another metre before contemplating the tent and wood-burning stove and picnic bench.
Jobs on the horizon including young native tree-planting at the field margins.
Six more fruit trees to go in (a 'traditioinal' orchard of ninety mixed trees could probably be considered substantial) and a small mixed collective of hazels to make a margin at the east side of the orchard grid.
Continuing the long-term boundary stock-proof fencing.
Hedge-row gap filling and rujuvinational pruning.
If the weather is less than favourable, then there is quite a bit of documentation and admin stuff to wade through at home and planning for next year's planting of appropriate native stuff in the grassland and hedgerows.
Continuing with landscape history research too...
A careful watch of the River Dee flood levels, after a couple of emails and automated calls of flood warnings and then an 'all-clear' at Farndon (for now).
The river is still within its banks for now, but Appleby's Brook and the ditches are up and some minor ingress at the south hedgerow low point.
A wander around this morning with no worries for now in ordinary boots.
After some of the weather from the last couple of weeks, I was keen to check the orchard trees. Fortunately everything was as I left it from two weeks ago.
The larger, recently planted cider apple trees have two Rubberloc commercial / amenity grade ties to hold them steady.
The frosts have finally turned the trees with late leaves left on. Rumours of snow on the way for the end of the week too...
Quite a bit of work to get done, but weather dependent. The waning moon and a couple of extra storm lanterns might compensate for a lack of daylight, but I'd like the river to subside at least another metre before contemplating the tent and wood-burning stove and picnic bench.
Jobs on the horizon including young native tree-planting at the field margins.
Six more fruit trees to go in (a 'traditioinal' orchard of ninety mixed trees could probably be considered substantial) and a small mixed collective of hazels to make a margin at the east side of the orchard grid.
Continuing the long-term boundary stock-proof fencing.
Hedge-row gap filling and rujuvinational pruning.
If the weather is less than favourable, then there is quite a bit of documentation and admin stuff to wade through at home and planning for next year's planting of appropriate native stuff in the grassland and hedgerows.
Continuing with landscape history research too...
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
history
For last Thursday night, a notice in a local shop mentioned Holt Local History Society putting on a talk "The making of the Maelor Saesneg"
A landscape history lecture for the area around the River Dee catchment area from South Cheshire and the border with Wales and Shropshire. A touch further south than the field, but still an insightful talk on an area with interesting landscape that I've spent a good few years exploring.
Afterwards, a good chat with some of the Society members regarding the more immediate landscape around Holt and Farndon. Modern geophysics techniques have been utilised including magnetometry and Lidar maps - as well as field walks. Access cooperation with local landowners around Holt Castle is being looked into, hopefully an area I can help with regarding the field.
Whilst planting the trees recently, the west half of the field which appears slightly higher, has around 6 to 8 inches of silt / soil deposit beneath the present turf, but above a previous grass level. There is also the lump of sandstone to drop off with the museum that was in the ground near the junction of two tracks on the field boundary.
Another couple of frosty nights, but still the leaves are on a few trees - particularly the quince.
Quite a bit of time levelling and mulching around the fruit trees and fitting commercial grade amenity tree-ties to the stakes, then some time back at home looking after the landscape machinery.
A couple of visitors, looking at the trees as well as the wider landscape.
Also noticed increased Police visibility lately, on both the English and Welsh sides of the River. Hopefully this will reduce some of the random anti-social activities in the area.
Unfortunately in one corner of the field an entire wing, of either a tawny owl or pheasant?
A bit of time back at the day job, hopefully seasonal river flooding will hold off long enough for more groundwork, fencing and hedging during my next spell off - if the river level stays consistently low I might chance another spell camping before the year ends too...
A landscape history lecture for the area around the River Dee catchment area from South Cheshire and the border with Wales and Shropshire. A touch further south than the field, but still an insightful talk on an area with interesting landscape that I've spent a good few years exploring.
Afterwards, a good chat with some of the Society members regarding the more immediate landscape around Holt and Farndon. Modern geophysics techniques have been utilised including magnetometry and Lidar maps - as well as field walks. Access cooperation with local landowners around Holt Castle is being looked into, hopefully an area I can help with regarding the field.
Whilst planting the trees recently, the west half of the field which appears slightly higher, has around 6 to 8 inches of silt / soil deposit beneath the present turf, but above a previous grass level. There is also the lump of sandstone to drop off with the museum that was in the ground near the junction of two tracks on the field boundary.
Another couple of frosty nights, but still the leaves are on a few trees - particularly the quince.
Quite a bit of time levelling and mulching around the fruit trees and fitting commercial grade amenity tree-ties to the stakes, then some time back at home looking after the landscape machinery.
A couple of visitors, looking at the trees as well as the wider landscape.
Also noticed increased Police visibility lately, on both the English and Welsh sides of the River. Hopefully this will reduce some of the random anti-social activities in the area.
Unfortunately in one corner of the field an entire wing, of either a tawny owl or pheasant?
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
A bit of time back at the day job, hopefully seasonal river flooding will hold off long enough for more groundwork, fencing and hedging during my next spell off - if the river level stays consistently low I might chance another spell camping before the year ends too...
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Another weekend
Various mushrooms in the grass at the field:
A rather busy week, 15 young but rather large cider apple orchard trees transplanted...
Quite a bit of work to get them out with as much root as possible:
Also a lot of preparation work to get them planted and secured:
Many thanks to the donor who sadly was moving away from their location and thanks to a colleague from a few years ago that made the arrangements.
About 90 mixed orchard trees now, with only about 36 being apples.
Working into darkness to get the latest trees in, various mammals still moving about the undergrowth and an adventurous mouse looking around the mulch was briefly mesmerised by the head-torch - still about 5 owls to be heard at night too and the buzzards in the daytime.
There is also a large random domestic type cat (white & tabby mix) that is around day or night.
Driving to the field this afternoon, i noticed the River Dee noticeably higher, but still no concerns about Flood Warnings yet.
I think this time last year there was snow, bizarrely mild - although a chill stiff breeze was creeping in late afternoon.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
A rather busy week, 15 young but rather large cider apple orchard trees transplanted...
Quite a bit of work to get them out with as much root as possible:
 |
| From Orchard 2011 |
 |
| From Orchard 2011 |
About 90 mixed orchard trees now, with only about 36 being apples.
Working into darkness to get the latest trees in, various mammals still moving about the undergrowth and an adventurous mouse looking around the mulch was briefly mesmerised by the head-torch - still about 5 owls to be heard at night too and the buzzards in the daytime.
There is also a large random domestic type cat (white & tabby mix) that is around day or night.
Driving to the field this afternoon, i noticed the River Dee noticeably higher, but still no concerns about Flood Warnings yet.
I think this time last year there was snow, bizarrely mild - although a chill stiff breeze was creeping in late afternoon.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
The weekend
Towards the end of last week I spent some spare time looking back over the various Chancery Deeds from the National Archives for Farndon and Crewe by Farndon.
A slow start to Saturday (a combination of Crohn's Disease grumblings and a Goth night in Wrexham late on Friday). First stop was a light lunch at DeliFine in Holt, then over to the field to mark out more orchard plantings.
A sudden revision to the planting plan, due to the opportunity of transplanting a young, but established cider apple orchard of up to 15 trees (the owner, a specialist micro-brewer with CaMRA recognition is moving, but had put a fair bit of thought into what he had established for a premium small scale cider production and was understandably reluctant to abandon it).
I'd been put in touch by a respected work colleague from a few years ago who, since retirement has gone on to specialise in fruit tree culture and grafting.
Some sizeable holes for the trees were dug and with a few other minor jobs around the field, it was dark by the time I'd finished...
During the day, the chance to chat to a couple of respected local folk, the nearest neighbour mentioned that suspicious vehicle activity and anti-social behaviour at the top end of the access track / minor road was still a problem, dog walkers confirmed that the sheep 2 fields away were prone to straying (glad I put the extra wire net fencing up now) and at the edge of the village, the gift of a pot of local honey.
Quite a few pheasants about, yet more mole hills, and owl hoots as darkness falls.
Saturday was a mild evening, so I carried on into darkness. Then things got interesting...
My Cousin said he might call, I left the gate to the field open whilst digging holes for the trees. A car came part way down the track, then cleared off. Another vehicle, a 4x4 was making it's way through the darkness, through the gateway and I assumed it was my Cousin. For a laugh, I put my oil lamp down a hole, turned off my head-torch and lurked in another planting hole. Only when the 4x4 slowed by my Landrover and put it's full-beam on did I notice the blue and lime-green chequers and the word 'POLICE'
Hmm, this could get interesting explaining a wheelbarrow and shovels at my side...
Turns out to be an unrelated incident involving vehicle movements along the lane at the top of the track. They saw the funny side, as if it's normal to be planting trees in near darkness in the middle of nowhere...
On Sunday I took the Landrover and trailer to the Wirral to start extracting the orchard trees.
A fascinating conversation regarding specialist brewing and the desire for something good to come of the trees. 15 in total and ranging from 10 to 15 feet tall!
Varieties: 'Kingston Black, Chisel Jersey, Harry Masters and Broxwood Foxwhelp.
Initial digging was 'challenging' - the large garden of a traditional estate cottage, one end had at sometime had a path and the ground was a bit stony as I initially dug a very generous diameter around the first tree to establish root spread.
For replanting at the field, I'll be part filling the holes around the roots with Barker & Bland's composted wool and bracken mix and with a sprinkling of mycorrhizal RootGrow granules and the fine alluvial soil from the field mixed in.
I am a touch concerned by the size of the trees compared to the root structure after digging up, particularly as they still have some leaves on. I'm hoping that some fine fibrous new root growth might start before winter dormancy completely sets in. Because of the size of the trees, staking is essential for a few years (although they all impressively stood unaided when the planting holes were filled in at their final location in the field.
By Monday afternoon, 9 from the 15 were satisfactorily transplanted.
The final holes to dig on Wednesday and hopefully transplanting completed by Thursday and looking forward to a fruitful collaboration for small scale cider production in years ahead...
A slow start to Saturday (a combination of Crohn's Disease grumblings and a Goth night in Wrexham late on Friday). First stop was a light lunch at DeliFine in Holt, then over to the field to mark out more orchard plantings.
A sudden revision to the planting plan, due to the opportunity of transplanting a young, but established cider apple orchard of up to 15 trees (the owner, a specialist micro-brewer with CaMRA recognition is moving, but had put a fair bit of thought into what he had established for a premium small scale cider production and was understandably reluctant to abandon it).
I'd been put in touch by a respected work colleague from a few years ago who, since retirement has gone on to specialise in fruit tree culture and grafting.
Some sizeable holes for the trees were dug and with a few other minor jobs around the field, it was dark by the time I'd finished...
During the day, the chance to chat to a couple of respected local folk, the nearest neighbour mentioned that suspicious vehicle activity and anti-social behaviour at the top end of the access track / minor road was still a problem, dog walkers confirmed that the sheep 2 fields away were prone to straying (glad I put the extra wire net fencing up now) and at the edge of the village, the gift of a pot of local honey.
Quite a few pheasants about, yet more mole hills, and owl hoots as darkness falls.
Saturday was a mild evening, so I carried on into darkness. Then things got interesting...
My Cousin said he might call, I left the gate to the field open whilst digging holes for the trees. A car came part way down the track, then cleared off. Another vehicle, a 4x4 was making it's way through the darkness, through the gateway and I assumed it was my Cousin. For a laugh, I put my oil lamp down a hole, turned off my head-torch and lurked in another planting hole. Only when the 4x4 slowed by my Landrover and put it's full-beam on did I notice the blue and lime-green chequers and the word 'POLICE'
Hmm, this could get interesting explaining a wheelbarrow and shovels at my side...
Turns out to be an unrelated incident involving vehicle movements along the lane at the top of the track. They saw the funny side, as if it's normal to be planting trees in near darkness in the middle of nowhere...
On Sunday I took the Landrover and trailer to the Wirral to start extracting the orchard trees.
A fascinating conversation regarding specialist brewing and the desire for something good to come of the trees. 15 in total and ranging from 10 to 15 feet tall!
Varieties: 'Kingston Black, Chisel Jersey, Harry Masters and Broxwood Foxwhelp.
Initial digging was 'challenging' - the large garden of a traditional estate cottage, one end had at sometime had a path and the ground was a bit stony as I initially dug a very generous diameter around the first tree to establish root spread.
For replanting at the field, I'll be part filling the holes around the roots with Barker & Bland's composted wool and bracken mix and with a sprinkling of mycorrhizal RootGrow granules and the fine alluvial soil from the field mixed in.
I am a touch concerned by the size of the trees compared to the root structure after digging up, particularly as they still have some leaves on. I'm hoping that some fine fibrous new root growth might start before winter dormancy completely sets in. Because of the size of the trees, staking is essential for a few years (although they all impressively stood unaided when the planting holes were filled in at their final location in the field.
By Monday afternoon, 9 from the 15 were satisfactorily transplanted.
The final holes to dig on Wednesday and hopefully transplanting completed by Thursday and looking forward to a fruitful collaboration for small scale cider production in years ahead...
Friday, 18 November 2011
By dawn's early light
Back home in Cheshire after 2 weeks of night shifts, I haven't quite adjusted to daytime living yet.
Up at 4 am and down to the field for 6:30am before properly light.
The overhanging willows are trimmed back a touch along the bypass hedge to the north of the field. Hopefully enough room now to get in and clear a neglected drainage ditch.
Owls were hooting before daybreak and the sound of a buzzard coincided with small mammals scurrying through the undergrowth along the old trackway.
It looks like the sheep netting from last month has done its job keeping neighbouring sheep out. Traces of human activity are random small lumps of limestone hurled into the bottom quarter of the field from the track (now removed before they compromise the next time the tractor and mower come out. One random golf ball at the west of the field and minor extra graffiti on the inside of the west underpass - surprisingly the east trackway underpass remains clear since I repainted it late summertime.
The trees have lost their leaves or those remaining have autumn colours - apart from the quince, which are still quite deep green.
A fair amount of mole-hill activity while I've been away and the ground noticeably softer after a couple of weeks with rain.
Up at 4 am and down to the field for 6:30am before properly light.
The overhanging willows are trimmed back a touch along the bypass hedge to the north of the field. Hopefully enough room now to get in and clear a neglected drainage ditch.
Owls were hooting before daybreak and the sound of a buzzard coincided with small mammals scurrying through the undergrowth along the old trackway.
It looks like the sheep netting from last month has done its job keeping neighbouring sheep out. Traces of human activity are random small lumps of limestone hurled into the bottom quarter of the field from the track (now removed before they compromise the next time the tractor and mower come out. One random golf ball at the west of the field and minor extra graffiti on the inside of the west underpass - surprisingly the east trackway underpass remains clear since I repainted it late summertime.
The trees have lost their leaves or those remaining have autumn colours - apart from the quince, which are still quite deep green.
A fair amount of mole-hill activity while I've been away and the ground noticeably softer after a couple of weeks with rain.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Winter around the corner?
The field now gets a short rest whilst I get on with my proper job...
I sometimes wonder what the immediate impact on wildlife is when I spend time down there? (Longer term I'm hoping it is positive, although some of the hedgerow and grassland work is bound to have caused some compromises until re-established and stabilised. I do look into and assess what is around a while, before doing work).
Anyway, almost a week in a large tent and the daytime has birds from robins to buzzards and at night time there are about 5 owls, bats, badgers and foxes.
The bees in the hollow tree are still active on warm days and something has pawed up an old honeycomb of ground nesting bees.
I still wonder about the possibility of dormice - an old birds nest was full of dry hawthorn leaves and 'ropes' of twisted hay in a ball - unfortunately full of dry silt too as it was below the winter river flood level.
A diverse range of fungi have started to appear in the grass.
I didn't manage to get the 'thatch' from the scarifier removed as quickly as I'd have liked, due to rain as I was finishing the task and for most days I was free afterwards.
The Wessex collector works fine, as long as the surface debris isn't sodden.
Somewhat hurriedly, 150 metres of wire stock fencing has gone up (with very handy help from my Uncle), due to sheep reappearing for winter 2 fields away. Last year I'd have been happy for them to have stayed and grazed when they strayed in, but not now with the orchard and young native trees in.
The wire fencing is temporary and positioned to allow enough working space for filling gaps in the hawthorn and for work with a post borer on the tractor for a long term livestock proof fence along the hedge boundary.
Some interesting and good natured talk with local folk and interesting to consider the range of views of people who live and work in the countryside as well as the various walkers along the track. (A large walking group on Saturday were doing part of the Marches Way).
My first night in the tent last week coincided with a ground frost overnight, fortunately the woodburner kept the chill off until about 4am, although a Cadbury's Wholenut bar managed to melt some distance away from the stove.
I was quite pleased during the recent tree work to get a birds-eye view from the hydraulic platform.
Maybe more than coincidently, a carved pumpkin I left on the gatepost for a couple of nights seems to have kept some of the less desirable visitors at arms length.
For the next few months I'll have to be more mindful of the risk of flooding from the River Dee (the daily height trends are on the Environment Agency website and I get alert and warning notifications).
The next areas of work are hedges and ditches and planting clusters of native trees at either end of the field.
Dandelion reduction is back on track with a replacement removal tool swiftly sent from Fiskars.
Now the darker nights and less clement weather are here, a bit of catching up of paperwork and planning ahead, as well as delving into surrounding history.
I sometimes wonder what the immediate impact on wildlife is when I spend time down there? (Longer term I'm hoping it is positive, although some of the hedgerow and grassland work is bound to have caused some compromises until re-established and stabilised. I do look into and assess what is around a while, before doing work).
Anyway, almost a week in a large tent and the daytime has birds from robins to buzzards and at night time there are about 5 owls, bats, badgers and foxes.
The bees in the hollow tree are still active on warm days and something has pawed up an old honeycomb of ground nesting bees.
I still wonder about the possibility of dormice - an old birds nest was full of dry hawthorn leaves and 'ropes' of twisted hay in a ball - unfortunately full of dry silt too as it was below the winter river flood level.
A diverse range of fungi have started to appear in the grass.
I didn't manage to get the 'thatch' from the scarifier removed as quickly as I'd have liked, due to rain as I was finishing the task and for most days I was free afterwards.
The Wessex collector works fine, as long as the surface debris isn't sodden.
Somewhat hurriedly, 150 metres of wire stock fencing has gone up (with very handy help from my Uncle), due to sheep reappearing for winter 2 fields away. Last year I'd have been happy for them to have stayed and grazed when they strayed in, but not now with the orchard and young native trees in.
The wire fencing is temporary and positioned to allow enough working space for filling gaps in the hawthorn and for work with a post borer on the tractor for a long term livestock proof fence along the hedge boundary.
Some interesting and good natured talk with local folk and interesting to consider the range of views of people who live and work in the countryside as well as the various walkers along the track. (A large walking group on Saturday were doing part of the Marches Way).
My first night in the tent last week coincided with a ground frost overnight, fortunately the woodburner kept the chill off until about 4am, although a Cadbury's Wholenut bar managed to melt some distance away from the stove.
I was quite pleased during the recent tree work to get a birds-eye view from the hydraulic platform.
Maybe more than coincidently, a carved pumpkin I left on the gatepost for a couple of nights seems to have kept some of the less desirable visitors at arms length.
For the next few months I'll have to be more mindful of the risk of flooding from the River Dee (the daily height trends are on the Environment Agency website and I get alert and warning notifications).
The next areas of work are hedges and ditches and planting clusters of native trees at either end of the field.
Dandelion reduction is back on track with a replacement removal tool swiftly sent from Fiskars.
Now the darker nights and less clement weather are here, a bit of catching up of paperwork and planning ahead, as well as delving into surrounding history.
Friday, 28 October 2011
A busy weekend ahead...
Last week I acquired a Wessex sweeper for cleaning the field grass up behind the tractor. (now we've finally had a dry sunny day, I can get round to using it for collecting the residue the scarifier lifted).
The hedgerow tree work is done for now, including re-pollarding. Hedges and fencing to continue with next month.
The final handful of fruit trees to go in for this year, the unusual varieties I picked up earlier this month.
I've set the tent up (with integral woodburning stove), for a weekend at the field finishing off a few tasks...
A few interesting chats with neighbours and locals over the last couple of weeks - and a couple of random encounters with couples in cars getting a bit blatant in broad daylight with activities that are best left for indoors now the weather is getting colder!
I guess anti-social and illegal activities can be as much of a problem in a rural setting as in built up areas.
One night had particularly clear skies, so a mate with an iPad assisted with some celestial navigation.
Jupiter is particularly bright and there have been a few shooting stars.
All with the background sounds of owls and other creatures.
Each morning there are the remains of chewed corn-cobs across the grass - I thought maybe from a fox, but apparently badgers really like them.
In the daytime the buzzards are quite noticeable swirling high up.
The hedgerow tree work is done for now, including re-pollarding. Hedges and fencing to continue with next month.
The final handful of fruit trees to go in for this year, the unusual varieties I picked up earlier this month.
I've set the tent up (with integral woodburning stove), for a weekend at the field finishing off a few tasks...
A few interesting chats with neighbours and locals over the last couple of weeks - and a couple of random encounters with couples in cars getting a bit blatant in broad daylight with activities that are best left for indoors now the weather is getting colder!
I guess anti-social and illegal activities can be as much of a problem in a rural setting as in built up areas.
One night had particularly clear skies, so a mate with an iPad assisted with some celestial navigation.
Jupiter is particularly bright and there have been a few shooting stars.
All with the background sounds of owls and other creatures.
Each morning there are the remains of chewed corn-cobs across the grass - I thought maybe from a fox, but apparently badgers really like them.
In the daytime the buzzards are quite noticeable swirling high up.
Friday, 21 October 2011
autumn...
The leaves turning and colour changes and less daylight now noticeable.
I do however have a quince tree in bud and trees that have lost leaves also have advanced buds.
The dandelions have slowed down, but still prevalent on a sunny day - I bought a Fiskars removal tool - it initially seemed quite good, but broke after about 40 plants pulled up (their Customer Services sent a replacement within a week).
Whilst I was tidying up the broken bottles and thrown away beer cans and smoking debris I had found at the field, there was a hairdressers receipt amongst the rubbish that included: client name and address with 'under 15 discount 10%'
Only a couple of miles away, I dropped by and met his parents - they weren't amazingly impressed, but were quite sensible, civil and understanding about it and words will be had by them.
A bit more overhanging willow from the boundary with the bypass cut back and some odd fence rails replaced here and there, the picnic bench dropped off and locked to the fence whilst I back and to each day.
A few evenings had been pleasant enough to cook a quick meal and sit outside listening to the wildlife. Daytime and Deli-Fine near-by over the bridge at Holt remains tempting for daytime refreshments.
Some good and interesting chat with locals and walkers too and a few comments regarding police awareness of anti-social / illegal activities close-by.
A few owls about - one brushed the top of my head as I walked across the field as it went dark.
Something after dark makes a short, load metallic 'chirp' - it sounds like it is in the trees, but can't work out what it is.
Voles and moles evident and a few 'larger' small mammals rustle through the base of the hedges. A random pheasant too.
The crop of maize in the neighbouring field has been cut, still a few part chewed cobs appear in the middle of the field - I'm guessing from a fox?
Some tree-work done, accessed from a hydraulic platform.
A few low overhanging branches removed and some height reduction of a hollow tree to reduce the risk of it being blown over by the wind.
A part rotten branch from high up had large green pellet like chrysalis clusters (about 8mm dia x 20mm long each)?
Another medium sized ash tree that had struggled for leaves all year turned out to be spongy with rot when a couple of dead branches were removed.
Although not the intention to cut any down, structurally poor and lacking vigour and leaning, it was reduced to fence height.
I went to the 'Quince Day' at Norton Priory - interesting again with Fruitscape and Cheshire Wildlife Trust amongst some of the displays. I also came away with a couple of random hybrid quince seedlings.
Last Sunday evening was mild and pleasant enough to run the mower over the field again (still leaving the meadowsweet at seed).
With the tractor and machinery dropped back at home, some pondering about the general condition of the grass...
I'm convinced since the construction of the by-pass in the late 1980s, the field was at least partly re-seeded, certainly some previously disturbed / compacted ground parallel to the boundary.
Hedge and fencing gaps, the new orchard and more young trees to go in and the risk of winter river floods make sheep grazing an impossibility for a year or two yet.
There are noticeably less weeds this year but I decided to run a scarifier over the entire field. This was to lift previous years matted grass and vegetation debris.
The mower I use behind the tractor is a compromise, unless the clippings are removed - a more efficient solution has since been arrived at...
Meanwhile,
a scarifier (on hire, as they are a phenomenal price even second hand for a robust one), lifted a lot of 'thatch' and that now has to come off the surface - the temptation is to compost it long term, or to cleanly burn it with hedgerow brash and use the ash in a compost mix. (I'm tempted to hire a tractor mounted one next time though).
Unpredictable weather and a few downpours make day to day planning tricky for jobs to be getting on with - I would stick a reasonable tent up for the next week as a site hut and maybe stop over night, but a frost Tuesday morning was a touch off-putting.
Over the weekend, I have a large piece of agricultural / green-keeping equipment to pick up (Wessex SC12 powered sweeper / collector for behind the tractor to keep the grass tidy after mowing).
There is also Stourhead Farm shop Apple Day and a short spell back in Salisbury and some tree-hunting (wayside apples with potential).
I do however have a quince tree in bud and trees that have lost leaves also have advanced buds.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
Whilst I was tidying up the broken bottles and thrown away beer cans and smoking debris I had found at the field, there was a hairdressers receipt amongst the rubbish that included: client name and address with 'under 15 discount 10%'
Only a couple of miles away, I dropped by and met his parents - they weren't amazingly impressed, but were quite sensible, civil and understanding about it and words will be had by them.
A bit more overhanging willow from the boundary with the bypass cut back and some odd fence rails replaced here and there, the picnic bench dropped off and locked to the fence whilst I back and to each day.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
Some good and interesting chat with locals and walkers too and a few comments regarding police awareness of anti-social / illegal activities close-by.
A few owls about - one brushed the top of my head as I walked across the field as it went dark.
Something after dark makes a short, load metallic 'chirp' - it sounds like it is in the trees, but can't work out what it is.
Voles and moles evident and a few 'larger' small mammals rustle through the base of the hedges. A random pheasant too.
The crop of maize in the neighbouring field has been cut, still a few part chewed cobs appear in the middle of the field - I'm guessing from a fox?
Some tree-work done, accessed from a hydraulic platform.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
Another medium sized ash tree that had struggled for leaves all year turned out to be spongy with rot when a couple of dead branches were removed.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
I went to the 'Quince Day' at Norton Priory - interesting again with Fruitscape and Cheshire Wildlife Trust amongst some of the displays. I also came away with a couple of random hybrid quince seedlings.
Last Sunday evening was mild and pleasant enough to run the mower over the field again (still leaving the meadowsweet at seed).
With the tractor and machinery dropped back at home, some pondering about the general condition of the grass...
I'm convinced since the construction of the by-pass in the late 1980s, the field was at least partly re-seeded, certainly some previously disturbed / compacted ground parallel to the boundary.
Hedge and fencing gaps, the new orchard and more young trees to go in and the risk of winter river floods make sheep grazing an impossibility for a year or two yet.
There are noticeably less weeds this year but I decided to run a scarifier over the entire field. This was to lift previous years matted grass and vegetation debris.
The mower I use behind the tractor is a compromise, unless the clippings are removed - a more efficient solution has since been arrived at...
Meanwhile,
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
Unpredictable weather and a few downpours make day to day planning tricky for jobs to be getting on with - I would stick a reasonable tent up for the next week as a site hut and maybe stop over night, but a frost Tuesday morning was a touch off-putting.
Over the weekend, I have a large piece of agricultural / green-keeping equipment to pick up (Wessex SC12 powered sweeper / collector for behind the tractor to keep the grass tidy after mowing).
There is also Stourhead Farm shop Apple Day and a short spell back in Salisbury and some tree-hunting (wayside apples with potential).
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