Thursday Team – Plan for 4/1/2024

The plan this week is to return to the top corner of Furness Park (FP-11) to stamp out a resurgence of the weeds up there.

There is an incredible number of Prickly Lettuce plants coming up (again). Interestingly, Prickly Lettuce is the closest wild plant to normal culinary lettuce and I read that it is edible – though has a more bitter taste and has a slightly fetid smell. Yum ! Some of our regular nuisances are also returning eg that patch of Panic Veldt up at the top. It would be good to get it all under control again before another round of seeding. Other parts of the area are doing well – more or less looking after themselves.

Last Week

Last week – we didn’t work (!) – nor the week before that (!!) when we went to the Gourmet Girls for our special treat from the BCAC committee. It was great that most could make it – I do hope you enjoyed our morning tea and break from the routine. 

On the week before’s working bee, we visited “The Triangle” in Blacks Walk at the Middleborough Road end to restore order – as a special favour to Parks and Natural Environment. We did a great job there and in some nearby beds – and no-one was bitten by a bull-ant!

Conditions (last updated 06:45 4/1/2024)

Weather

Rain: There’s a 10% chance of rain, diminishing to 5%, while we are working.
Storms/Weather warnings: None affecting us.
Temperature: It should be a mild 18-22 degrees while we work.

Wind: low strength SSW winds. Our site is reasonably sheltered so the wind won’t bother us.
UV: >8 rising to 11 later in the day.
EPA Air Quality: GOOD.
Thunderstorm Asthma Forecast: NONE.

Risks to highlight

• Please bring water to maintain your hydration – especially given the warmer weather.
• Don’t forget your sun protection (especially for the next few months!).
• Mozzies are about in shaded spots and still-ish air – best to have bare skin protected. We have repellent available.
• Wear appropriate clothes for the conditions – including a hat, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes.
• Hi-vis clothes/vests are recommended. Take care woring along the track – Cyclists occasionally tackle the steep and curved path and could lose control.
• There are stumps, branches, lumps etc that may present trip hazards and eye-hazards under twiggy shrubs etc. We have some safety glasses in the PPE bag if you feel you need them.
• COVID (especially), flu and RSV are still around. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms.
• No bull-ants recorded in this area – but please be extra vigilant.

Apologies: Mark, Megan, Jane, Graeme.