Ready for the thaw

A beautiful morning today, if a dripping one as the thaw set in after another fall of snow last night. Nonetheless, the conditions are such that the working party deferred from last week has had to be called off again. Here's what Chairman John has said:

"I suppose it was always unrealistic to hope that conditions would change quickly enough to permit tomorrow’s working party to go ahead.  John D. and I have just carried out a pitch inspection and conclude that, even with a fast thaw, there will still be snow on the ground and the rest will be unmanageably wet.  There is also the question of the damage that we might cause by trampling all the plants before they are properly thawed.  So, reluctantly, the working party for tomorrow, 27th. January, is cancelled and you can look forward to a bit longer in bed. 

We will of course resume next Saturday, 2nd. February, at 9:00am, come hell or high water.

 

This brings me on to the measures we must take to catch up.    We really have two options, i.e., work longer or insert extra work days into the programme.  I am very aware that many of us are flagging after two hours and there should be absolutely no dishonour in stopping when you’ve had enough.  With that very clearly understood, I propose that we should work till 11:30 next Saturday and discuss the way forward during coffee break.  It would help me to know your thoughts on the subject so you can email me with your views if you like.  I will run with whatever is the majority view,  I just think that myself as Chairman, and the people of Southrepps, are very lucky to have you working at all!

 

We all know that every individual’s contribution is valuable and appreciated;  never more so than now.

 

Kind regards from John"

Anyway, I was able to take a few photos. School Common looked nice in the snow:

 

Scouts' Pond was still well frozen, but looking pretty.

The dog enjoyed the snow, as dogs tend to do - here on the recently cut area G.

I was hoping for more birds than I found, but I was at last rewarded by some good long tailed tits that for once were not hidden by twigs and branches. I quite like the cross formed by the tails of these two:

Snow stops [play

There was meant to be a working party yesterday, but the recent snow put paid to that. The following are   the revised arrangements:

Saturday 19th January, cancelled.

Sunday 20th January is ruled out as a substitute.

The next working party will be Sunday 27th Jan. at 9:30am.

Working party of 3rd. February brought forward to Saturday 2nd February at 9:00am

 

I wandered across the common this morning in the hope that the bad weather would have produced some unusual birds, but in fact there was very little about. I did find this pied wagtail at the Pit however, wandering about on the frozen surface in the probably vain hope of finding something to eat.

Also at the Pit I found a snowman has taken up residence on the bench. I like his profile particularly:

Her has a good view across the pond, so should be able to report back on anything interesting that crops up.

A trifle damp underfoot

Following all the recent rain the Common is particularly wet at the moment. Nonetheless, a brave working party of 12 sallied forth on 6th January and was able to make good progress on area G - the section we have to mow each year so the orchids and cotton grass can flourish.

Here's a message from Chairman John:

 Dear All

 

There are two reasons for always writing to thank you after a working party.  The first is what it says on the tin, "Sincerely thanks very much for a good job done, and for which you can be jolly proud."  The second reason is so everyone who wasn't there knows what a good job was done, and how enjoyable it was in the fresh air and sunshine.  You will have have realised by now that next time must not be missed, i.e. Saturday 19th January at 9:00am.  Remember that every minute of every person's contribution is valuable and worthwhile.

 

 

Best wishes and regards from John