With Autumn well and truly upon us, Jerry, Graham and Angus headed went to carry out some minor, "tidying up" jobs in an upper section of the wood. The map below shows the location of this work.
The jobs included replacing missing way-mark posts, removing a fallen tree and clearing some narrow sections of path. As with previous work in this wood, the jobs have been funded by a donation from the Russell family. Many thanks.
The blue circles show the location of the new waymarkers. The blue line indicates
the length of pathway we cleared and widened.
The first job was to move the materials and equipment to the path. Fortunately, we were again able to park at Lower Butterworth Farm (many thanks to the landowner) as this shortened the carrying distance - very useful at the end of the day when a heavy rain shower caught us halfway across the field.!
We headed along the path and identified two sections where it had narrowed along the edge of a fairly steep drop.
First two sections of the path to be cleared and widened.
The sections now cleared and safer to negotiate.
The first way-marker was located at a fork in the path to show walkers that there was a lower path heading across the fields towards a further section of the wood, and an upper route going to Norland Moor and the Outhouse Café.
There was a particularly tricky obstacle on the upper section of the path where exposed beech tree roots made for a challenging step-up. Jerry and Graham manhandled a large stone below this obstacle to create a substantial platform, making this obstacle safer and easier to negotiate.
Jerry and Graham manoeuvring a large stone to form a step below
the exposed tree roots . . . . not Graham's best side!
Way-marker in place showing the path through the Beech trees.
The last jobs involved a fallen tree which was quickly despatched by Jerry with help from his chainsaw, and the recycling of a way-marker to replace the one which had rotted out.
It was good to meet several walkers being exercised by their 4-legged companions. This wonderful wood is well worth a visit.
Graham and Angus preparing the way-marker.
Job done . . . and just in time as the rain is on its way!
