August a busy burgeoning month

We started the month doing the Big Butterfly Count with our friend Colin Heinink and his children. They loved spending time at the woodlands and had a great deal of fun.

Sylvie in particular was fascinated by all the different ladybirds and enjoyed checking our file to find their names.

This year is the first time we have seen apples and sloes in abundance. We had bought the bare root saplings of native crab apples from a reputable firm but sadly they don't look like crab apples. Google image says Bramleys. Not sure what the green ones are but some sort of cooking.

We hired a large mower which picks up as it goes and cut back all the paths and the wildflower meadows. Friday's rain meant we didn't manage a second cut around the North and West Dyke area.

Mary managed to cut back the native hedge by the track as well as the dead hedge. It has been a job she has been itching to do for sometime. Unfortunately as she has left the battery and charger at our lodgings this was all done with secateurs.

Mary at work keeping the track free from overhanging branches. Lauren's Scots pine growing well.

We met a local man from Postwick. He asked did we have any anti social behaviour which was a problem for us. He wants to do something to alleviate this issue. We were able to show him examples right outside our gates. We recognise that there is no toilet provision in the area and this is an issue we have brought up many times. However we do feel if you have been organised enough to bring toilet paper, you could just as easily bring a doggy bag to remove the outcome.

There are local groups who come and clear the rubbish along the fishing swims and around the car park by the River Yare. We do as well. We are very grateful for these volunteers. People seem to find it no hardship to bring their food and drink but have a problem with the much lighter empties to take away. There is actually a rubbish bin near the top of the lane which the council collects. It is very demoralising to have to continually clear up the selfishness of others, when this takes away from the work we are doing on site.

Guelder rose looking spectacular.