Sunday 22 December 2019

Season's Greetings

December 2019


Our road repairs detailed in last month’s blog didn’t last very long. Two days of constant, heavy rain washed out our valiant efforts. Never mind, the Wednesday Conservation team’s first job in December involved a trip out to Ebchester (a National Trust Reserve on the River Derwent). A field at one end of the reserve belonging to Northumbrian Water had been strimmed the day before by some of Gibside’s rangers. Our task was to rake the grass cuttings and dispose of them. Being such an efficient group, we were finished by lunchtime.

Before - looking down towards Sewage Treatment Plant!
Hard at work
After



The following week saw the team in Snipes Dene cutting back our old foes, Western hemlock and rhododendron bushes. The sides of an old wagonway were cleared first, then spreading out into the dene more rhododendrons were cleared forming brash piles with the cuttings.

Rhododendrons just visible behind the birches

Sun just peeping over Snipes Dene
Waggonway


December 18th, our last session before Christmas brought below freeing temperatures, resulting in a heavy frost. It takes more than a bit of frost to deter some of our team even if we are raking leaves on the bank alongside The Avenue.
Frosted field in front of The Orangery
Frosted oak leaf
Leaves blanket the bank side of The Avenue

Raking in progress

Cleared
Holly


Christmas Pudding



So that’s it for 2019, have a great Christmas and best wishes for 2020 to all our readers.