23 March 2012

A Fresh start for Spring


Craig clearing path edges at High Ground Farm
It’s been a varied week as usual, with numerous jobs completed! A large portion of my week has been office based, as I’ve been working on a number of projects, including working with contractors on a National Trust campsite development and planning work for our staff and volunteers in the coming weeks.

This week Craig has been working on a mini-digger completing a number of planned jobs around our property, including important maintenance to our path network.


The week started with an influx of new seasonal staff for the South Lakes property and I was a part of the induction day. We began at Wray Castle with introductions to the National Trust and what Rangers do in the countryside, then it was off on a property tour! We visited Hill Top, the Beatrix Potter Gallery and Tarn Hows, before a tasty lunch at Boon Crag. Then we were off to Monk Coniston for a whistle stop tour around the restored walled garden and the impressive tree collection, whilst admiring the splendid views over Coniston Water.

Wray Castle in all its splendour!
In the outdoors this week I have had quite a variety of jobs! On Tuesday I helped Richard our woodland Ranger to move some rather large bits of a beech tree from a tenant’s garden, where a tree had been felled. This will then be chopped and then dried ready for burning in Hill Top Farm or our holiday cottages next winter. I have also carried out a safety briefing for users of Cathedral Quarry in Langdale and solved a drainage problem at a residents house.


The fruits of our labour
All in all it has been a challenging but enjoyable week, with the added bonus that Spring has arrived!

Written by Sam Stalker Area Ranger
  

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