Trenches and Pits

Finally, the drainage trenches and planting pits are complete. It's been a hell of a day, and we only managed to finish the last half-dozen holes, and the ditches they needed: we're both tired, the ground's soaking, and the last area of ground is full of stones, including a few mammoths.

At last, they're now all done (subject to checking as we plant that they are draining well), and we even managed, on Wednesday, in the snow, to start clearing the patch that the sweet chestnuts and willows will go in, in the first clearing above the tree line.

The lower portion of the hillside looks a mess, currently, with heaps of spoil mud, soggy paths, and gaping holes. But tomorrow we can start planting.