Monday 22 January 2024

Rhodybash at Alderley Edge on Sunday 21st January 2024

The weather forecast had been wet and windy.  Well, it was half right ... we got strong winds, but luckily no rain.  We had to keep an eye on the forecast in case it gusted above 47mph.

Seven of us plus Ranger Duncan set off into Windmill Woods to find rhody to kill.  Duncan pointed out a patch of laurel which Charlie decided to attack.  I wasn’t quick enough to get a before photo but here is a part way through photo.

We couldn’t burn the Laurel because it's poisonous, but Charlie did a great job scrubbing around removing all the roots ...

 

... whilst a few people started chopping at the rhody.



Others dug a small pit to contain the fire and keep it away from all the flammable pine needles.



The bonfire was going nicely by coffee break (Bakewell Tart and Chill-Chocolate-brownies).  We agreed that we would work through lunch break and pack up early afternoon to avoid the worst of the weather.  After the break we went back to work cutting rhody in various parts of the wood and continued burning.  We managed to clear and burn all of the big patch of rhody.



The wind began to increase, so we decided it was time to stop loading the fire and let it burn out.  Whilst we were watching the fire burn down a dead tree in the woods the other side of the path began to creek and came down – definitely time to pack up.




After another 20 minutes or so the fire was burnt down enough to put out so we hung the unburnt rhody roots in the trees to dry out and act as a warning to other rhody not to mess with MNTV!

  



Jenny

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