Making Floating Islands
Our cloud making Friends were preparing for the working weekend. On 15th. & 16th.February a group of Friends constructed floating islands, fish sanctuaries and small pontoons and put these on the lake.
Plastic bottles were filled with polystyrene beads, their tops were sealed and they were fed into plastic drainage pipes to make floats for the islands.
Despite the terrible weather on the Saturday, several Friends worked from 10.00am until 3.30pm on both days, to prepare the islands and site them.
Fortunately the weather was much better on the Sunday and the islands were launched and towed into place and anchored.
The Environment Agency gave us much needed advice on this project and some much appreciated manpower. We thank them very much.
Preparing the framework for the island.
Preparing the framework for the island.
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Fill with cocoa compound between two layers of plastic mesh. This will hold the soil.
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Plastic drainage tube is filled with bottles for floats.
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Plastic bottles are pushed into the pipe.
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Large milk bottles give extra buoyancy .
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The first island is moved outside.
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Our little boat is rolled down to the lake.
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The BIG boat arrives and with it the ” EXPERTS” .
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Both boats are successfully launched and we are ready to go.
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Just checking if it still floats!
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The islands are planted with suitable plants.
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This one is ready to go.
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Fish refuge is taken onto the lake.
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That looks fine. Now for the next one.
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A job well done – now for a cup of TEA!
The fish refuges were fixed under the islands.
Despite the terrible weather on the Saturday, several Friends worked from 10.00am until 3.30pm on both days, to prepare the islands and site them.
Fortunately the weather was much better on the Sunday and the islands were launched and towed into place and anchored.
The boats were towed away and everyone went home, tired but happy at a job well done.
VOLUNTEER HOURS WORKED OVER THE WEEKEND = 42 hours.