The first working party of the cutting season, and our Secretary had promised "Tomorrow morning will be dry and bright, albeit wet underfoot." The bit he got right was the wetness underfoot, but in fact there was also a great deal of wetness above foot too. It was drizzling a lot; when it wasn't drizzling, it was belting down. The nine volunteers looked like drowned rats, but in the true spirit of British stoicism we laboured on. We didn't even let the rain stop us eating our biscuits; that's true pluck.
This working party was the first time John Houlgate's magnificent cart was used in earnest. My advice to John is to keep on building carts and other labour-saving devices, and leave the weather forecasting to the charming young women at BBC Norfolk. The cart was a great success, meaning we were able to move the cut reed much more easily to our dumping sites. There had been fears it would sink in the mud, but by and large it coped well, and we learned a few tricks we hope will make it easier still in future working parties.
Despite the rain, I think it's fair to say we all went away well satisfied with our work, and it bodes well for the rest of the season.
Thank you Duncan, your comments neatly sum up the day. Everybody's reaction to the cart was very encouraging and more than allayed my misgivings; I was prepared for it to be a dismal flop. We learned how to handle the thing on the boardwalk so it will be a useful tool transporter. If we prepare a bed of reeds for it across the softest ground, I need not worry any longer about the wheels' tread being too narrow.
ReplyDeleteAll in all a very positive start to the new season.