I swear Inert and/or Cemex are making up the restoration as they muddle along. 24th October 2021

After a reasonably dry week, we received torrential rainfall throughout Tuesday/Wednesday night. It sounded pretty biblical, and was not predicted on any of the medium range forecasts by either the Met office or BBC.

I was, therefore, a bit surprised to find the area that was Finch pond was not a boggy as I thought it would be.  Neither was the current area of action around the shores of  Cormorant lake north. For a human, that is. It isn't much fun for a lorry carrying between 16 and 20 tonnes of spoil.

Over the last couple of months, I have documented how Inert et al have carefully in and up filled the shores of Cormorant lake (north). They crafted a beautiful lake, in a great location for people to view it via the new, to be built, footpath, which will skirt the northern edge of the reserve.

Firstly, as I pointed out, is that it is in the wrong place, according to plans I have available to me.

Secondly, I did wonder how the lake was to drain, given we were approaching autumn in a rather moist La Nina year, as the land had been built up all the way to the northern shore of the site. Well, this little error was rectified by a digger being dispatched to create a drainage ditch. Though it would flow temporarily, in the wrong direction.

Thirdly,  after switching to up filling what was Finch pond (though this might be due to the logistics of getting spoil and lorry drivers - flexible response), Inert switched back to Cormorant lake, with a new round of upfilling. Unexpectedly, to me, building up the land to the lower banking of the north embankment. 

Now on to this week. It seems the reinstated drainage ditch was not deep enough - no surprises there. A digger was dutifully sent to deepen the drainage ditch. This has lowered water levels in Cormorant lake (north), though lower would, I feel, be better.  However, what is left of Cormorant lake (south) is now filling up. I wonder if anyone has turned on the pump?

The beautifully created land bridge, which I photographed last week, has been destroyed. Very curious. However, the newest land bridge,  in the middle of Cormorant lake (north), is very much in use.

In/up fill of Cormorant lake (north) continues via its south and west shores, but Inert are creating their usual lunar/Somme style landscape in the process.  Some of this is due to the torrential rainfall, but mostly, I feel, this is how Inert operate. I've seen it so many times over the years.

I really need to get myself down to walk along the south footpath. I have a feeling there have been thing happening along the south part of the reserve which I am unaware of. I've just been so busy.

I await, quite agog as usual, as to the next mystifying installment of the restoration of Manor Farm.