Riff Raff Diary – September 2016

Published on: 9 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 9 Sep, 2016

Riff Raff Cottage and Weir.

Riverbank tales from the local St Catherine’s lengthsman and weirkeeper

by Robert Craig

Now as we move into September there is definitely an Autumnal feel in the air.

Overhead the Canada geese have started passing by in V formation in mock migration and the meadows by the river are shrouded in mist at dusk.

During August I was still able to pull up yet more of the Himalayan balsam. Now though the majority of it is beyond pulling as the seeds have begun to pop which is a shame, but I got a huge amount out of the ground throughout the summer so it has still been curtailed.

Robert Craig at work strimming the tow path opposite Shalford Meadow

Even though the vegetation growth is slowing down, I still feel that I’ve spent the last month mainly strimming and mowing along the towpath and the locksides. This has included clearing the vegetation on the bend by the roller just downstream of St. Catherine’s lock, which is done to aid navigation giving the boats a clear line of sight on the sharp bend.

During September I shall be getting on with repairing some of the damage caused by dogs to the bank and towpath, also I will be able to deal with the hedges on my length now that the nesting season is over.

Talking of birds the barn owl can still be seen at dusk around St. Catherine’s.