This weekend I should have been at the British Riding Club’s Novice Winter Championships but for obvious reasons that had to be cancelled. Instead, I have been spending the time helping out on the land.
My parents do a lot of work maintaining the fields and – although I would like to help more – I very rarely have enough time to do very much. Now, however, I have a lot of time and as the fields are right here by the house we can work on them without contravening any quarantine rules.
We have one hedgeline in particular which has been growing unchecked for several years. Our first job was to get all the brambles out, then there was a lot of sawing that needed to be done. We are getting a decent amount of firewood put aside for next winter and are shredding what we can of the rest to help with the mud situation (keeping any spiky bits away from the ponies) – although that has been drying up very nicely over the past few days.
It is a never ending job and once this hedge is done there will be plenty more to keep us occupied. The weeds along the edge of the stream may well be next – they don’t look much at the moment but they only take a few spring weeks to go mad.
The ponies seem to think that every load of shredded undergrowth – not to mention every opened gate – is meant for them and they have been following me about hopefully. I think their main aim was to be turned out into their summer field but it’s not quite dry enough yet. It won’t be long though!
Gadding About With Galahad 