Wed 6th June 2007 - East Cowes.

Well, at least the weather was considerably better than last week - extra prayers from Ray obviously!. We initially prepared the ground for the planting of this drought tolerant garden some three weeks ago and apparently some of the rocks that we dug out mysteriously disappeared before they could be collected...! This week we turned over and raked the ground before putting down the membrane - then a break for a well earned cup of tea. Simon from the Ventnor Botanical Gardens was on hand with all the plants that we needed and the plan hidden in his head. All went well with about 25 of us beavering away at putting all the plants in then covering the area with wood chip - the task finally being completed around 1:30 p.m.

Photographs and text from Carrie........many thanks...!

Wed 30th May 2007 - Brading Down.

A hardy few turned up for ragwort pulling on Brading Down this week. Now either Ray is on holiday or he hasn't been keeping up with his prayers to the sun god - as it sure was WET....! After a short discussion we decided to give it a go (see the picture above) but the weather steadily worsened with strong winds and driving rain. We managed about an hour and a half (dedication in the extreme - blog writer's note...!) but by then the weather was so atrocious that we decided to call it a day. That must be the first time in living memory that we "abandoned ship" - let's hope for better weather next week down at East Cowes.

Thanks to Carrie (once again) for the picture and report.