Restoration

Yesterday we drove from Peterborough to Claughton in Lancashire, setting off in sweltering heat, which gradually diminished as we headed north-west. We had left later than planned, and consequently didn't arrive at The Fenwick until dusk, having stopped once for coffee and to stretch my knee. By the time we'd finished a splendid meal of pan-fried salmon with chilli mashed potatoes and charred green vegetables the light had gone and I gave up the idea of getting a photograph.

This morning we woke to leaden grey skies and a very sodden world. Nevertheless we had to get on with monitoring the moorland restoration at Claughton quarry. In fact the cool, almost windless conditions and lack of sun made the job easier and we completed it in record time. The trip up to the quarry was quite scary - torrential rain on Monday had washed away much of the brick track, leaving huge pot-holes. Fortunately we were taken up in a four-wheel drive, but it lurched around alarmingly, forcing us to hold on tight. At several points it felt as though the vehicle might tip over!

The restoration area is now fairly stable, with little change from year to year. It really is quite difficult to distinguish the worked area from the moorland surrounding it, so I think it can be deemed a success. Last year the quarry was in full production, but this year all was silent as the brickworks had laid off all its staff last week. This is the second time in recent years that the brickworks has been 'mothballed', the first being from 2010 to 2014. The owners said "current economic uncertainty" meant it would be "prudent" to again shut the site on a temporary basis. One of the casualties of Brexit?