feeling useful










After months of watching a conservation group working every Saturday along the river Kelvin, where I walk Jack, I finally worked up the courage and asked about the project they were working on and if I could be involved. Yes I could. And so James and I made our way down to the meeting point on a Saturday and got working. I was so happy James came along. On our first day, we cleared a long stretch of former meadow along the river of Himalayan Balsam. We enjoyed a cup of tea and coffee with biscuits under the railway viaduct and got to know our coworkers. We learned more about the project and now know that the tiny 500 trees that appeared on the meadow in our local woods were planted by this group in a single day. James went home after the Balsam removal but I stayed on to help cutting down parakeet seeded saplings in a row of mature trees. I learned to use a saw which I rather enjoyed. We created of open space, which improves the view to the river and hopefully discourages antisocial behaviour. It was hard work to drag all the cut branches to the nearby wood for natural decomposition and for building log piles to provide habitat for smaller creatures. Eventually, along this stretch of river, maybe 1km in length, a native wildflower corridor will be established on both sides of the footpath, hopefully keeping the invasives at bay. There is a lot of Japanese knotweed on the river bank but this is a task for the specialists from the local council, it needs spraying as it is otherwise impossible to eliminate. I was absolutely shattered after three hours of hard work. A long hot shower and a tick check later, my body was ready to rest. 

And guess what? We went back for more! This time we cleared a path that was so overgrown, it was just half the width. We found the hand railing under a lot of brambles and nettles. Lovely to walk through now. I had more opportunity to use the saw. 

In other news, our lodger Rascal has just moved back with his owner in their new house. I'll miss him, he has a sweet character. I got used to being waken up at five with a loud purr and and poke. Jack begs to differ of course. It might be a few days before he feels confident enough to bounce around a corner without fear of encountering the panther with his scary fangs. 

We are also celebrating birthdays but more of that another time. Thanks for visiting 😊

Comments

  1. Oh well done you, that's absolutely brilliant. It will be lovely to return there and see the benefits of all your hard work. A bit grim having both Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed, they are really hard to eliminate. But great that a wildflower corridor is planned. Hurray for wonderful people that put in the time and effort, you included. CJ xx

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  2. Lovely reading and catching up Christina 😀😀

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  3. That conservation cleanup certainly was a major project and a physical workout as well, Christina. Great that you and James helped out and maybe you can share a few photos of the cleared area in a future post. Yeah to yourself for using a saw, twice.

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  4. What a fantastic project to be involved with Christina. It will make it an enjoyable place for both humans and animals to visit. The wild flower corridor will be wondeful once it establishes. Thank you to all the volunteers involved, you made me happy today x

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  5. Good on you to find the courage to ask and good on you for helping. Interesting that these things makes us happy people. We (myself and I included) should do that more often. Thanks!!

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  6. That kind of work is very satisfying. I do the same thing with my land up here. It makes the whole neighborhood nicer. It's a strenuous workout, too.

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  7. We’re your flower pics all from the project area? Good for you for doing that btw.

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  8. Oh that sounds so wonderful Christina, like others have said a great workout too. I have thoroughly enjoyed this kind of volunteering too, I can understand why you went back for me. Beautiful photos too.

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  9. What an inspirational post! A pretty good workout I would say. Keep us posted.

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  10. I’m impressed with your work on this project, Christina. Hard work but great when you are able to appreciate the results. X Doris

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  11. What a wonderful project to be involved in. It will feel very satisfying to see the results of your hard work. X

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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