Something other than Concrete
Something other than Concrete
by: Andy P.
For some time there has been a need to complete a bat survey under the M5 bridge. The previous attempts got bogged down in mud despite a 4 wheel drive vehicle. So, the thought went, we will wait until it is really cold and try on the frozen ground and drive along the river bank. A quick recce to test this theory sort of worked, but with a lot of slippy slidy going on. Trench plates were laid in the worst gate way just in case.
Back to the depot and with Chris P help, Stuart was loaded onto its trailer to wait for the coldest night this year. The next morning, bitterly cold as forecast and the ground nicely frozen, the 2 vehicles and Stuart on its trailer, arrived at the entrance just off the A38. We rapidly drove to what used to be the slipway. However it was covered in mud and reeds. Bob did a 57 point turn to reverse the boat down the slipway from the steep bank and we started to unload.
With Chris P words ringing in our ears of “once it goes you will not be able to stop it” we tied lots of long rope to very long stakes to catch Stuart as it hit the raging current. A very tense moment. Undid everything, stood back and Stuart hurtled towards the water. All of 3 feet before getting stuck in the mud. Oh dear.
Lots of pulling, tugging, rocking, twisting and levering had no effect. Neither did driving back and forth to flip Stuart into the torrent. So long bars were brought into use and I was reminded of Newtons 3rd law of motion as I was pushed backwards. Normally you move your feet back to stop yourself falling over. However with both feet firmly planted in mud I had no option but to sit down in the canal, to gather my thoughts and seek the alternative meaning to slipway.
Anna T from the Wildlife Trust (who was doing the bat survey) joined us and eventually Stuart and the mud relented. Stuart was pulled upstream and tied to trees to await the Bat survey the next day.
Then began the task to get back out of the slip way. 4 wheel drive is good but with all 4 wheels spinning we were going nowhere. The other vehicle and long ropes eventually pulled everything out and back to the road through the now unfrozen ground-apologies to the farmer for the ruts.
Apparently no bats were in the cracks, which I think was a good thing and I hope Stuart is well.
