About five months ago, we cut down the willow trees. This time we burnt them. In five months, the environment has changed so much. The left and right pictures below respectively show the same site of the tree cut today and five months ago. What a huge contrast!

To burn the trees, we first needed to start a fire. We were fortunate to have a volunteer who could start a fire in whatever conditions. That day, while we were half way in the work, the rain began to fall, at first drizzle, then pouring. Still and amazingly, the fire kept burning. This volunteer was one of the three cornerstone volunteers for taking care of Buxton Heath. The other two were a young volunteer warden of Buxton Heath and a humorous old volunteer (see the picture at the right most - he was trying to “attack” the photographer (me!), because while everyone was working hard, I was taking pictures.) I respect each of them very much for their perseverance and enthusiasm in the conservation work for the Buxton Heath.

Before we started our work, we needed to put a large tin plate on the ground. Then we started the fire on the plate, and put more and more trees on it.

At the same time, some volunteers cut the already cut-out trees further into shorter sticks, with saws and loppers. This was to make the burning easier.

Here came the fun part - warming the marshmallows and making a toast!

While we were working, we found a lizard in the mire. Everyone (except me) felt very excited and wanted to hold and touch it. I do not mind watching the reptiles, but touch them - no way! However, this lizard was small and to many people very lovely. We did not know why it was in the mire because it would be difficult for it to breath there. It should be hibernating somewhere at that time. So finally we moved him to a safe place.

This time in Buxton Heath, I did not fall into the mire. But I still suffered casualty - when I returned home, I found a number of tiny holes in my jacket - the ashes from the fire!