Clearing the trench found four more leeches, one was cut, sadly, due to shovel action. Put the lot in the other pond. Taking a break now, will continue later.

Major work going on at the other end of the area, the idiot corp is making an access road to move machinery to the river bank to install flood defences, which in my view is a pointless exercise.

Apart from the destruction of nesting areas in Spring, clever, this work will shut off the outflow of this flood area, so it is likely it will increase the flood danger, from inside, rather than reduce it. Also the area was left untouched for over half a century, so there goes a decent piece of natural regeneration.

And another thing... some tenants moan they can't grow anything due to trees casting shadow over their plots, which is such a stupid concept it beggars belief. I mean, if the planet stood still and shadows were permanent, ok, fair enough... but it moves doesn't it? So shadows don't linger in any one place.... but try to explain that to bricks on legs....

#environment #allotment #nature #regeneration

@TauCeti Plots are to grow food or flowers notionally. Planting of new trees is often restricted on allotment sites now because they do shade plots as they mature making it difficult to grow crops.

The above is not my view. I am more aligned with your thinking that we, very much as part of nature, have to adapt to its changes.

I love the shade of trees on my plot.

Flood defences are needed but they come in many more forms than putting up higher barriers. I feel your anguish on this issue.

@Broadfork

I have a sizeable hedge on the north and a bit west sides, does not interfere with sunlight for an obvious reason. Try to explain that to people. Also said to the blokes that a laid hedge could have been made but was too late and got weird looks...

@TauCeti Hedgelaying is a lost art unfortunately. Strimmers, flails and chainsaws all all too easily used to decimate hedgerows making them into into deadgerows.

It saddens me to see how destructive we are to our natural environment.