Busy, busy!
Monday. Spent the day erecting some 1300 metres of electric fencing in the vicinity of the famous Belle Tout lighthouse near Beachy Head. All went well with most of the task done by lunchtime – we (Anna & I) working at a cracking pace in order to get as much done before the arrival of a wet spell in the afternoon. Eastbourne BC, the Trust’s clients here, supplied a number of metal gates so as to allow continued access to the area by the public.
Tuesday. I spent the afternoon finishing off and tensioning the above fencing. Entered into conversation with a couple from Hampshire who have a number of native breed ponies and enjoyed for once watching someone else having to erect electric fencing!
Wednesday. Used our recently purchased livestock trailer for the first time when we gathered-in 4 ponies from off part of the RSPB’s Broadwater Warren reserve and transported them down to Belle Tout. Just as they were getting settled, a Chinook helicopter flew over very low over – the ponies roared off at full throttle!
Thursday. Amongst other things, we had a another meeting with one of the staff of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest, (they having on Monday finally given approval to contracting the Trust to carry out some trial grazing in the Misbourne valley to the east of the village of Nutley. This will involve electric fencing 43 acres of heath, gorse and bog enabling 8 of our Chailey ponies to winter graze this particularly bio-diverse area.
Saturday. We spent much of the day electric fencing at Shooters Bottom between Belle Tout and Beachy Head. A fabulous warm, sunny day – on days like these, we must have the best jobs in the world – exercise, fresh air and iconic surroundings! We finished early afternoon having erected some 1200 metres. Quite a number of large white butterflies on the wing.