Fri 11 Apr 2014
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| Tree operations Bleasdale Eastate |
A short day on the Bleasdale Fells with Alex. I was surprised to find earth-moving machines and giant tractors at the wood near Stang Yule. The driver of the tractor told us that the trees had to come down because they were diseased. It’s always a sad sight to see mature trees in a large wood being cut down.
We moved on above the wood to the top road and there met the estate worker I had spoken to before. He confirmed the conifers were all to come down. Rhododendrons, also diseased, are also being cut down. The cost will be high, as roads have to be laid in order that transport lorries can carry the timber away. The owner will just about break even, apparently.
I asked the man if the sick sheep I had reported had been brought down and he told us he had found it and had to drag it down to the road. It had been ‘weather blind’, suffering from dust and specks of heather blown into the eyes. It had recovered later.
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| One of the old shooting butts |
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| Alex contemplates the remains of the Blenheim |
We inspected the site of the Blenheim crash, and then walked over the top of the fell to Fiendsdale Head. We then turned and descended Winny Bank to eat lunch by the recently built cairn, before the long road walk back to the car.
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| As yet at peace |
