10 August 2023 Scything at Almondell Country Park

(2hrs) Last week I made contact with the leader of the Friends of Almondell group to volunteer (they meet on Thursdays). Today I learned to use a scythe with Stuart and Ian from Friends of Almondell. It was stupidly humid and 23C, so i'm absolutely knackered. But it was very interesting, trying to get the knack it's all in the swing of the blade. My section looked chewed rather than cut compared to the experts, but not bad for a first attempt. Watched a baby buzzard crying unsuccessfully for food, while its parent ignored it. Also sat by the pond for 30 mins but not much going on, in or around it. Lovely to sit in the shade of the ancient chestnut tree next to the pond - it's so old some of its branches have sagged to the ground.