by Colin, December 2009
Rhododendron burning with Jago at Nostell Priory – a perennial favourite! In a new wood for us, Top Park Wood, which is as far as it is possible to be from the car park, in the furthest corner of the property to the West of the obelisk – next to the caravan site. Yes, the National Trust has a caravan site! And why not? They do try to keep it out of sight though and to this end will be keeping a thin belt of rhododendron between it and the wild flower meadow, until an indigenous hedge is planted and has time to grow into an effective screen. We didn’t even have to do much cutting of rhodies, as someone had been there before us leaving piles of it for us to simply drag to the two bonfires and throw it on. Very considerate. Even the weather was kind to us, with one brief shower just before lunch – and not just any old lunch ...
Steve had the brilliant idea – for the last task of 2009 – of a Christmas lunch. Steve, being Steve, brought along a pasting table, a Christmas table cloth, and even a CD player for the Christmas music. All the old favourites – Fairy Tale of New York, Stop the Cavalry, even I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas. Everyone brought something. There were Christmas Crackers (or maybe we were crackers), turkey and cranberry rolls, brie and cranberry rolls, sausage rolls, cheese straws, mince pies, Christmas muffins, Satsumas, nuts, and much more, together with mulled wine. Excellent!
