Team work

 We couldn’t help but wonder what visitors in the carpark thought this morning as a merry band of locals attacked the Machair with a rake. 
The growth from the summer had been cut and our job was to rake up the drying grass. At first we all set off methodically working in lines, very satisfying, gradually there was more chat and groups formed to clear an area.  The weather was kind to us and a couple of vehicles and trailers arrived to load up the mini heaps to take elsewhere.  After a couple hours we headed up to Calgary tea rooms for a drink and something to eat. Very pleasant and I loved the chat, way above but my head all the same interesting.  John and I had a strong hot chocolate and half a bacon sandwich each. 

Back to the Machair to do more raking and loading as the clouds darkened. 
This was the most wonderful morning, working as a team, listening to plans from those in the know about what to do next, it sounded complex,  (I was just a pair of hand with a pronged stick) at the same time looking out over Calgary beach, a Lowry type picture of tiny characters except in a beautiful setting.

Extras show others at work and the heaps of grass. 

It rained this afternoon, we are lucky to have a good morning. 

From the internet:
Machair
More than a habitat, machair is a blend of:
low-lying coastline
sand partly consisting of shell fragments
the effects of strong winds
just the right amount of rainfall
the involvement of people and their grazing animals