I have to say that today was great fun, but also really hard work. I don’t know if it’s because we are working on the steep bank or simply that there is just so much to do. However, we reached the tipping point today where we can start to see what the end result is going to be.

Just for perspective, a picture before we started..

This is before we started.

And the rest is afterwards…

Cleared bank with sunshine hitting the ground.

I hate to say it, but both me and John came to the conclusion that the run from the underpass to The Bear pub will probably be the centrepiece of the whole greenway. This is due to the steep banks and the fact that it is almost south facing. Not to worry though because it all adds to the diversity along the path.

John talking to a group of young adults who came along and helped.

We cleared all the brash left from the last workday and my fire lighting skills are getting quite good! However, we did commit the cardinal sin of leaving a load of brash from today’s workday ready for the next. The reason we did this is because it was getting late and if we put it on the bonfire, we have to then tend it until it is all burnt off. I would not be comfortable leaving a raging bonfire unattended. The brash is in lose piles so it should be easy enough to clear.

Brash piled up on the ridge of ballast that will become the new path.

Work on this area is almost finished and we just need a concerted effort to connect the area that we cleared a few weeks back with the clearing that we worked on today. We also need to clear the trees on the ballast path. These are really poor quality and have all grown at odd angles due to being too densely planted.

Working on the bit between the two clearings.

It was really satisfying today to see the sunshine warming the ground. It really is starting to look good. When the puddles dry up it will be quite a special place I reckon.

Thanks to all the helpers today. I have put some more workday dates on the ‘dates’ bit.

Until next time!

Paul