Jericho? and the walls came tumbling down

Oops, imploded drystone wall

Welcome to 2013 with at least some respite from the wet stuff of 2012 thus far. Was looking forward to starting the new year with a bang but on arriving at Sherborne discovered a bit of a surprise at the estate offices. Unfortunately a large section of the 18 foot drystone wall had collapsed just before xmas fortunately injuring no-one but crushing one of the trailers. Coincidently a similar incident at Chastleton also occured, with age and excessive wet conditions not Joshua being the probable cause on both counts.

The days work was to be in the Nursery to make best use of the wood processing machine before its return to Ebworth next week. So with sleeves rolled up { temperatures pretty high for this time of year} we got stuck in, literally at times given the mud, and by the close of play the wood store was looking a lot healthier.

Quick visit to Sherborne brook at lunch revealed water levels still high something I also experienced down in the water meadows yesterday with the Windrush up at peak levels. Was treated to an impressive fly by of the resident swans who were investigating the brook above the weir.

Mandarin Duck Slimbridge,  not yet at Sherborne but...

Water meadows still 'saturated'!

Was intrigued over the festive break by a new Forestry Commission announcement? regards deer culling {large numbers} and the need to protect new saplings from them especially given the fungal diseases attacking our trees. Not sure I entirely understood this declaration given that good woodland management should be doing this as a matter of course regardless of the current situation. It seems there is evidence that deer will target healthier /disease resistant new plantings so its reasonable to re-emphasise/prioritise the use of woodland compartment management with deer fences etc.