Going, going, gone!

Ebworth centre,  our empty large trailer

A sad day but we finally returned the wood processor back to its home at the Ebworth centre. At least the wood stocks at Sherborne should see Mike's customers through this winter and the Biomass system at Ebworth will not run out of processed wood now the processor is back to top up their stocks.

The days task was changed at the last minute from thinning in Snowbottom belt to hedge cutting ranger style. On the face of it this didn't seem to imply the usual physical challenge. However when Mike asked me to grab the chainsaw, pole saw and the pole hook [a new tool for me] then asked me to drive the 4x4 ranger to the nursery while he grabbed the tractor I became suspicious. It turns out 'the hedge' was a line of 20' high conifers stretching just under 100'.  The 'pole hook' {with extensions} was  vital in encouraging the cut conifer stems to fall away from the buildings they were sheltering. A lot of work cutting for Mike and plenty for me clearing the conifer from the fence line. Fortunately the tractor was there to do the heavy clearing and stacking. Not surprisingly we didn't manage to complete the job but the 2/3rds cut down left a significant pile of brash for later burning.

Spent the lunch break with a relaxing stroll around the Pleasure Grounds. There was a good showing of snowdrops especially on the western side , some aconites down near the Sherborne House and some early flowering daffodils. Could almost believe the winter is nearly over except there is a forecast for some more snow over the weekend. Pleased to see a healthy number of canada geese down by Sherborne brook again, something I haven't seen for a while.