Last of the Summer Wine – well not quite but the last of the easy days just snipping back the brambles across the path.

Marcus, Linda, Mick and myself made it today and we cleared the encroaching bramble from the underpass to the start, which is adjacent to Henry Hinde Junior School.

From September we are into the cutting season and because we are now looking after 3.5 miles of path, rather than 1.9 miles, we have to be much more savvy with our time and efforts.

But first – look at what we found today.

Loads going on, wildflowers, fungi, butterflies, mini-beasts… It is a riot of activity.

Moving forwards, we need to cut back a third of the path where we have bramble and then set up a three-year cycle of cutting it right back to the edge and let new growth happen. Trees need to be cut back every ten years, so a ten-year cycle needs to be developed.

I will prioritise the areas that need urgent cutting back and then model everything else behind them.

Really happy with our progress this year. I am behind with the tabs on the blog and iRecord but will catch us all up when the kids go back to school.

Next one is Sunday 3rd September at the Draycote end. Pulling it a week ahead of normal because I am away the following weekend. Mattocks to just drain off that path next to the golf club.

Thanks, all who made it today.

Paul