And so it came to pass one bright morning, when I returned from a short holiday, I was told: "You should have seen us. We worked in two teams and Tim took charge - it was a good morning!" The action in this case had been to build a number of steps on the steep path up to the heather.

And, indeed, they were six excellent steps, and were further enhanced by two more the following week - which gave rise to an approving comment by a neighbour who needed the aid on her daily walkabout. Actually, the "steps" are actually a method of holding back the clayey soil, which has been slowly eroding down to the stream below. They are actually of various lengths and depths according to the angle of the slope. But it's nice to know that we have approval for killing two birds with one stone, as the saying has it.

This had been one of the maintenance jobs to be carried out this spring and another is the need to replace four or five wooden treads on the big bridge. They are reasonably OK to walk about on, but it is best to err on the side of safety and get it done now.

So last week three of us replaced one tread, which was somewhat idle because there was only one tread made up and ready and, well, the sun was shining and we had a rather extended coffee break! One of us was a volunteer for the first time, so it let her down gently and we gave her a guided tour of the reserve, so all was not lost.

I always urge volunteers to break off work and watch the birds or have an extra coffee if they feel like it. So I wonder why they appear to be over-keen to being organised when I'm not there. But I'm not worrying about it?

John Hall © 2005