Taking a leaf out of my distinguished predecessor Bouncing Bertie's book, today I am going to use my Nature Friday slot to give you a wee science lesson.
Our topic today was inspired by a visit this week to the Yorkshire town of Ilkley where, in between visits to a couple of Gail's friends, we went for a walk up on the moor made famous by the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8MWb1FlODQ
It's a lovely place to explore, and I was so excited when I ran into (literally) a deep, dark and squelchy peat bog.
Did you know that the upland areas of Britain hold vast amounts of carbon in their peat covered hills? On a global scale, peat bogs are as important a store of carbon as the Amazon Rain Forest. But in some areas of the UK, human intervention has caused the peat bogs to dry out, and not only is this bad for all the diverse and precious species who live there, but it means carbon previously held in the soil is released to the atmosphere thus contributing to global warming.
So I'm delighted to report that on Ilkley Moor, peatland restoration work is in progress. A key component of this work involves raising the water table to keep the ground saturated, thus retaining the carbon in the soil. A good thing, I think we can all agree?
You'll scarcely believe what I heard Gail saying on Wednesday afternoon...
"I don't care about the climate crisis Nobby, I've decided I really would prefer that the peaty soils round here all stayed dry. And please Nobby, next time we see a black swampy patch of ground, JUST DON'T DIVE IN NOSE FIRST! The path across the bog, constructed of carefully laid stone slabs, is there for a purpose."
And then:
"And how on earth am I supposed to clean you up before we get back to tonight's hotel....?"
Wishing all my friends a Happy Nature Friday!
oooh wow, nobby that is the best place to be... we love your boots and we love da fur decoration, you look fantabulous....
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby - I am just glad that Gail was able to find bathing facilities before you made your journey north! Thanks for all the info and glorious views though... hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
We can certainly understand why Gail would prefer the peat bogs to stay dry, Nobby☺
ReplyDeleteNobby you are a bad lad! In the last photo you don't look happy, was that when Gail told you about your bath!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Inca xx
First of all what an extremely talented group of young people. The vocalist is amazing
ReplyDeleteOh Nobby the longer the limbs the deeper they sink. Inquiring minds want to know if you enjoy bath? I dear one often try to be impartial here but I MUST SAY I AM 100% in AGREEMENT with GAIL.
Hugs to you, Gail and YAM-aunty
PS did your find her stuffy stash?
You sure were having fun getting all muddy, Nobby. We hope Gail found some place to wash you off before getting in her car.
ReplyDeleteGail says: thankfully, we found a model boat pond filled with clean water just beside the car park!
DeleteNice Nobby have you been chatting with da Phinney and Da Nelly? this sounds more like them than you. Muddy Nobby you are. now I am pondering how Gail got the mud off BEFORE going in the hotel. tell us please. I am glad you did not get arrested for walking in the peat bog. we have a few peat bogs in USA, one is in Flordia. I am glad they are trying to save the peat.. we need it
ReplyDeleteRe peat removal - see reply to Millie and Walter's comment above.
DeleteFace pack? Nice soft fur afterwards? F would love tp spend the rest of her days working on stuff like restoring swamps, bogs, wetlands, forests. I get the receiving end of stuff she has learned about carbon sequestration.....think big, I say. She might plant a tree or two in reality.
ReplyDeleteThat was very interesting to know about the peat bogs. But it seems you found just enough spots to get spectacularly muddy!
ReplyDeleteOh Nobby, you look splendid!
ReplyDeleteNobby, that was a great restoration lesson and we loved the song. But we bet you are wishing you avoided that messy bog. Hope the B.A.T.H. wasn't too bad.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Now I remembering the little children's book, about Harry...a wheaten Scottie or maybe a Westie, the story was called, Harry The Dirty Dog! Seems you must have read that too, and the other books in the series, you are just as full of all kinds of mischief as he was.
ReplyDeleteI laughed so loud, I choked...
Hi friend, Ojo here! Ooooh, what fabulous stinky peat bog mud you found! Well done! Thank you for the science lesson. Also, my person remembers Harry the Dirty Dog too! Also, are your legs getting longer?
ReplyDeleteLady said she is grateful it is not her dog who is in such a need of a bath because we are terrible bathers! It looks like you are having a jolly vacation and we can't wait to read more about it. Lee and Phod who go no where.
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