This is the time of year when we have to cope with all the small maintenance jobs we have missed. Partly because one can't always "see the wood for the trees" as the expression goes, but as the wet weather gets ever soggier, things come loose, rot, wobble, or just block up.

One or two treads on our main bridge suddenly became more rotten than usual on the edges, and must be replaced. Likewise, we have just finished maintaining the log path "causeway" which I mentioned last month. And, of course, somebody has again pulled out one of our marker posts - with all the fag of having to work the wood and remember to bring the paint to the reserve and erect the post. Also, the record rainfall in recent weeks overflowed a blocked culvert and flooded a footpath. Luckily, a couple of boots-full of water, a small tool, and an hour or so did the trick, and all the muddy water rushed down to the Cuckmere.

And, on the last day of October, several trees fell across the footpaths and we had to try to make them safe as possible. But I fear that some of them had to wait for a tree surgeon. It is dangerous to try to cut trees which have fallen on to other trees and get hung up. There is also the worry about walkers until such time as we can deal with the problem.

We finished widening the latest ride, thank goodness. It took us about ten weeks of half-days partly because of the wet weather, and ruined my winter work plan! We ought to have been coppicing alders by the stream following on from last winter...

Off the reserve, I went to our Sussex Wildlife Trust office for a morning to listen to a police wildlife officer lecturing on wildlife law. Our recent trouble with the chain-saw vandal pales into insignificance beside some if the vicious practices perpetrated on wildlife, mainly badgers and deer, for poaching and "sport". And woe betide any innocent bystander who happens to be in the way of those take part in their disgusting practices.

Thank goodness that the R.S.P.C.A. and the police have undercover teams coping with such appalling behaviour. I'm very glad that I note regularly cars and their numbers in our little car park. That is something which one day may help curb the poachers and baiters.

John Hall © 2000