The answer: lots of regular scything.

Last night we returned to Aston's Eyot to try to get some nettles under control. An area that we've worked on previously has been earmarked as a picnic/play/chill-out space. Unfortunately it is currently covered in nettles. To ready it for the council's tractor we scythed and cleared lots of nettles, sawed some low hanging branches - Joe discovering some pole-sawing skills - and collected the inevitable litter.

Another team were sent a little further along the river to deal with a fallen tree. A tree surgeon had done the heavy work but we needed to clear branches from a river-side flower area. Sawing up branches is quite the workout but chats about books was a good distraction!

Well done team! We'll be back in September for another go!

One of the first phrases Antony uttered as we arrived at Marston Forest Garden! We hadn't, fortunately he had the tools and the skills required.

It was a glorious evening to spend at Marston Forest Garden. We had various tasks - mostly involving cutting back encroaching brambles and bindweed, weeding around struggling shrubs, shoring up an enthusiastic pear tree and giving everything a good water.

We learned about the proper way to weed mares tail, how to make VERY pungent natural fertiliser (comfrey leaves and water and let it sit and brew) and the importance of snipping down cuttings for compost.

Marston Forest Garden really is a gorgeous haven and we love coming here.

Fortified by tomatoes, red currants and dates we headed off for a lively evening run - across the fields and far away.

Glorious.

We LOVE a scything session!!

The weather was perfect last night for a meander through the Eyot and a spot of cleaning and clearing. After meeting Charlie and having a reminder of the safest way to carry and use the scythes, we strolled to the area that needed attention. Aston's Eyot has a lot of clearings which often get over grown by nettles. This prevents any other flora and fauna from getting established. After splitting into team-scythe and team-rake we got to work. Accompanied by the sounds of the "bumping" boat races and the sassy announcer (very stereotypical Oxford) we made short work of a large parch of nettles and lopped some low hanging branches for safety and to let more light in. It was a delightful task, full of chat about running, books, bakeries and hearing about adventures to New Zealand and Canada from Becky and Ellie!

Thank you for the report title Joe!

Last night we returned to the magical spot that is Boundary Brook Nature Reserve. we've done lots of tasks here over the years - usually moving heavy things, laying paths or digging out bramble roots! This evening's jobs were a little more gentle - or so we thought!

Helen needed us to plant out some little plug plants on the outskirts of the meadows so that they can naturally pollinate and spread over time. Despite the rain earlier in the day, the dry weather meant that the ground was rock hard!

We soon had a fab tag team approach. The water carriers would soak the ground, the planters could then dig and plant the plugs, then more water was added. We made short work of 50 plug plants allowing time to lop over-hanging branches around the paths and start weeding a soft-fruit area.

Bethan and Joe then did a gorgeous after task run.

A lovely evening - good work team!!