<<< This figure caused much amusement, as did all the others and the kids that got involved in making all the beings made of hay had a fun weekend when the weather was sunny and warm and the old churchyard resounded with the sounds of giggles and laughter.
Meanwhile the weekend saw the ending of the great events in London as the last days of the Olympics came to an end and what a great Olympics it has been and most of all the amazing Paralymics have been so very inspirational as all those athletes showed just what can be achieved despite adversity. It was great yesterday to see both teams celebrate and the streets of London were just crowded to capacity with supporters and to top it all Andy Murray has finally won a grand slam in the Tennis. All seems rather quiet now as things return to normal but for farmers life has been as busy as ever. These fine weather days have enabled them to catch up with work that has been delayed by weeks of rain, like late harvesting of more hayfields and ... rushes.
These tough plants spread over the thousands of acres of the commons and are mainly inedible for sheep but make a useful winter bedding material for cattle. So where the ground is flat enough for a tractor they have been mown down.
The machinery breaks them up into shorter lengths and splits the stems open revealing the soft spongy pith in the centre of the stalks. The whole area had the aroma of cucumbers!
The sheep, so used to grazing in and around the clumps were walking about looking rather bemused by the changes in their environment. This photograph was taken on Sunday, then on Monday ... yep ... it rained nearly all day and night. But the farmer persevered and ace after acre of moorland rushes fell under the blades. We just need a few dry days and then it can all get baled and the grass in between can grow for a while as the remaining free roaming sheep will soon be gathered in and sorted out.
It's hard to believe but it is almost time for the tups to be put to the ewes and the next generation will start. Over the autumn and winter months the commons will be free of sheep giving the grazing time to recover, ready for the ewes and their new lambs to roam on next year. All the droppings will rot down and re-enrich the many acres of grassland.
This was the sight that met my eyes today, the rushes mown down, changing the landscape quite dramatically. Even the dog looked bemused as he walked on a landscape that he is used to. He loves exploring in amongst the tall sturdy plants ... now all gone.
And, although the sun was shining in blue skies looking warm ... the wind was bitter, but looking on the bright side, it means that the mown rush lines will dry all the quicker ready for baling up. Soon, on another area of the commons, the bracken will be harvested too.
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