mowing the orchard
At least 15 enthusiastic scythers enjoyed an excellent weekend of scything at Hay Bridge Nature Reserve. Many thanks to Paul for getting it together, Keith and Helen for hosting us (beer and barbeque particularly appreciated) and Steve for giving impromptu lessons in filing out snags in blades.
The Reserve provided varied scything (flat creeping grass, tussocks, bracken, and briars), obstacle avoidance (stones, wire fences, adders) and chances to improve techniques for cutting on slopes. The pub (White Hart at Bouth) provided good food and beer on Friday night for a hilarious “ice-breaking” session. The weekend also coincided with an open day at the old Victorian farm (Old Hall Farm, Bouth) and on Sunday afternoon a group of our scythers went down and experimented with scything wheat (including sheafing and stooking) using Steve’s cradles – with apologies for the breakages Steve!
Hopefully the first of many good weekends!
