These steps were created on the steep slope this last year. It has taken me 'til now to work out how to attach this photo because it was taken by a professional photographer called Nigel Rigden. I'm sure he won't mind having this picture used on this blog site. Are these steps not truly something out of a Harry Potter scene? I walk them most days and it kinda compensates for not walking up and down the water tower steps these days!
The steps link to the access steps created previously down to the top of the very steep edge. It was a mammoth task to create the access (thanks to Mick and Niall) but now we have safe and secure access for planting. In this last month, 6 more quite large Cherry trees have been planted and 6 new small Aspen. Now Aspen is native although not that common. It has been planted some distance away at the most precarious section at the base of the "run off" area. I reclaimed the ground here by shovelling the loose soil from the slope to create a flattened section capable of holding plants. I gather Aspen will proliferate by runners and some tell me it will take over. If it sends out a lot of root growth then that will be good for the bank. If this blog is being read by the next owner of the woodland then I apologise if you are thinking of tree surgery now because this has been a mistake. I'm hoping the beauty of the Aspen bark will compensate for any take over, and surely in my lifetime it will create a lovely screen of trees to the park below. If the Midlothian Council tree officer is reading this then be prepared.
Now when I was in Florida I came across this. I wonder where the inspiration for the access steps came from?
When I was a child (70s/80s) there was a large stone around one third of the way down on the right hand side which had a worn, flattened out area on top. If you used your imagination you could believe it had been worn by hands pressing against it over many years. My mum told us kids it was lucky to press your hand into the worn area so every trip to Ironmills Park had to include this tradition. After years away from Dalkeith, I took a walk down these steps a couple of months ago and was very impressed by how well-kept the area now looks but the child in me was a little disappointed not to be able to find the lucky stone. It's still a happy childhood memory though! Congratulations on all the work, it was always a magical area to me as a child and it's good to see it being looked after.
ReplyDeleteMorag I don't know who you are but if you want to have a look around the woodland you are welcome.
ReplyDeleteI remember that stone too Morag. We called it the wishing stone and did the same things you describe. Susan, Morag lived near me in Dalkeith but we only got introduced through a mutual friend on FB a year or so ago. We did get to meet in person on my recent visit back. I love what you and Gerry are doing. Please don't stop.
ReplyDelete