Slow-worm to Glow-worm

Another day, another rake.

Not as wet as yesterday, but with intermittent hail showers for a change! Many of the Swallows had moved on today, and been replaced by a cold wind which I had to keep out with the waterproof trousers - got some funny looks by putting them on in the hide, people seemed to keep their distance.

Started the day by finishing of yesterday's raking of the Molinia, then pulling up pine shoots... unearthing one or two Palmate Newts again as we worked.

After lunch we set off to make a nice big bonfire - and big it was! Even after going through the wash, my clothes still reek of it. Another bit of exercise for my shoulders after yesterday's rakathon; lifting, dragging and sawing big pine branches for the fire. A wriggly beetle larva caught my eye, not something I had seen before... took a few photos and was identified back at the ranch as a Glow-worm larva! Like a little beetle armadillo with 12 plates of armour, six manic legs and a pair of menacing jaws on the end of a retractable head - was an interesting little beastie.

Now my arms are aching and I have to be on baby-watch first thing tomorrow, so I'm going to chill out with a DVD. Night.