Fire and Water

By dawn the heavy rain in the night had stopped. The hills were holding more water than I remember seeing before and shedding a good deal at speed. Every path and bridleway was a running stream.
A lot of birch has been subjected to SWT's punishment in the last few days. I remember that as little boys we used to get great pleasure in laying about ourselves with sticks usually at the expense of nettles and brambles. These days it's done in the name of conservation. At least they had the decency to leave this oak; there's something about oak that gives pause for thought. The area occupied by the oak has been largely cleared of birch regrowth around the stumps of a number of larger trees felled about 5 years ago. Since then bracken has become dominant no longer constrained by the shade. Hmmn...well.........

It looks as if a fire is being considered here. Will local people be invited? I've always loved bonfires - far more than fireworks- and a blaze in the night up here would be a spectacular opportunity to engage with the community especially if combined with a ceremonial burning of management plans and other unnecessary paperwork.