After the mild weather that we have enjoyed for a good while now the forecast is telling us that temperatures are due to drop in the next few days. In fact the change looks to be quite dramatic with temperatures due to drop to as low as -7c at times. With the prospect of an extended freeze on the horizon we will be making sure we get as much cooked maize out into the lakes as possible over the weekend. It is a shame really that the chill will finally be arriving as we have so many plants coming into bud and even some cultivated daisies in full springtime bloom. The lakes have seen plenty of activity in recent days with lots of hunting pike to be seen swirling and slashing as they feast on the roach and even several carp showing over the feed that we have been putting in.
With today perhaps being the nicest we are likely to see for a while we have taken the opportunity to crack on with some of the jobs that need sorting before we open. Lottie and I have been working hard around the back of Poppy’s where about 40 yrs of neglect has left us with a mass of brambles and fallen of dead tree’s to remove. We are making slow but meaningful progress and it will certainly add to the scenic appeal of the lake once finished. We are planning to plant lots of flag iris along the margins as we expose them and, next month, will be planting some new tree’s to add that little ‘extra’ to the place. Also, probably in March, we will be planting a number of water lilies around the lake, which should not only provide the carp with some shade from the sun but will also add to the scenic appeal of the place.
Jimmy has been demolishing the swims on the ‘Home bank’ and will hopefully have the new fronts in place before the freeze sets in. He is also removing some of the big rocks that were a nuisance in front of ‘Sams’ so landing fish will be a lot easier than in the past. We are also going to be taking one of the huge poplars down on the ‘Château bank’ as some of its large branches could be a health hazard should they come down in a storm. Will be a rather messy job as most of it is likely to fall into the lake and will have to be removed to dry ground for cutting up. A job for the tractor methinks which in turn will mean a churned up swim and bank to be put to rights before April. All good fun !!
I have made an 18 minute HD film of carp action from last year and hope to have it uploaded onto the blog tomorrow. Some lovely fish to be seen so be sure to take a look. I tried loading it via ‘youtube’ but was told is was to long ! I now have tried another hosting site so fingers crossed that it works ok.
Happy New year Uncle Jim.