The Decline and Fall...?

Dramatic but 'this green and pleasant land' is in decline! 

Of Countryside Conservation,  I hope not Fall, but news of  a  greener EU budget  [ Martin Harper RSPB] looks further away than ever. This especially refers to cuts {agriculture Pillar 1 & environment} plus options to transfer from Pillar 2 'environmentally friendly farming' funding.   Little to be seen of  DEFRA position {can they really be so bad} and sadly the NT {I struggle to discover their position on Countryside conservation from any communications?}.  As it happens I have enjoyed walking around most of the NT owned countryside here in the North Cotswolds this winter especially and seen what it still offers and the potential for even more {both financial and pleasure}. However I can't help feel how fragile it all is and whether 'the  relatively few' supporters of our  countryside in general can hold back the not so steady decline.  News on the cause of a particular decline which is close to my heart has surfaced recently on bees, we would all notice if this becomes a Fall. However its good to see the usual suspects continue to fight their corner on the environment and at least communicate on this i.e. RSPB, Wildlife trusts, Woodland trust.

Large conifers at the end prove the  'Sting in the tail '

Snow fall increasing as the 'brash' pile builds

Inspite of my gloomy start to this weeks blog I remain motivated to do my miniscule bit for the countryside. So the task today concerned the  'Fall' of the remaining conifers from last week, in this case a good thing to do. Although a good start was made last week there were even more challenges facing Mike and I, which consumed the whole day! For a start the wintry weather returned, then the pole saw ground to a halt and lastly the size and density of the remaining conifers proved more challenging.  So the pole hook, tree lever , chainsaw, wedges all proved essential. Even this wasn't enough for the final conifers leaning at the wrong angle and the rope with tractor was needed to bring them down safely. The snow finally relented at the end of a satisfactory hard working day and at least my return journey home was not as hazardous as it might have been.