Pump station is no more? Inert shift into high gear for restoration. Part 1 23rd July 2022

This, initial post contains highlights of progress over the past fortnight. Remember, I didn't stomp on Manor farm last week as it was so hot. This was nothing compared to the scorching 37.5C we experienced on Monday and Tuesday, plus the first time UK recorded temperatures exceed 40C.

Inert appear to be throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at the restoration. Two heavy earth movers, two diggers and our stalwart bulldozer; and possibly other vehicles I never get to see. I also have a suspicion that a large amount of overtime is being paid. Twice I have seen Inert busily at work on Manor farm after 16:00 on a Friday.  This past Friday (22nd July) they were still working at 17:30!!!

Whilst it has been a fortnight since I stomped over the site, I can say that Inert have accomplished a considerable amount of work.

Perhaps restoration, or at least the landscaping component, will be completed by 2023.

Further encouraging signs that this might be the case.

1. Perhaps the most significant development is that our venerable pump has been dragged onto dry land and disconnected from the pipe that leads to the settlement ponds on Chandlers farm. The bit of water (a fragment of Cormorant lake south) has been filled in.

This might be a premature move by Inert, as water is flowing off the Ridges and north part of the site, and has started to flood parts of the incomplete restoration on what was the north shore of Cormorant lake (south). Of course, Inert can always plonk the pump back into water to resume pumping.

2. Pump station mound has been flattened.

3. My mighty mound, just east of the copse, has been reduced in size by at least half. It could well disappear during this coming week.

4. The old Yellow bridge has been moved, possibly positioned to be broken down and removed.

5. Inert continue landscaping the Finch pond complex, particularly the largest of the new ponds.

6. A small chunk of the west North embankment has been removed and dumped, in nice little piles, along what will become a channel for the Colebrook.

There is still a fair amount to do, but I believe easily achievable if Inert continue the momentum it has built up over July.

As I have so many photographs, I will spread this week's report over a number of posts.