Flaming flailing

Another sunny day. N and I cleared some more things out of the bungalow and packed up the car. Grabbed a wrap to eat in Yelverton where we saw a fire-engine speeding its way up onto the moor. I automatically thought - oh, an accident.

Driving across Dartmoor there were many burnt patches where flailing, or burning, had cleared the gorse and debris making way for new growth for the cattle and ponies. This happens in a controlled way at this time of year but obviously something had gone wrong. Sure enough, in the triangle between the Exeter and Ashburton roads from Two Bridges there was a great deal of smoke and flame with quite a crowd trying to beat out the flames and the insignificant fire engine parked in the drive of Prince Hall, a local moorland hotel. The trouble is all the winter grass and vegetation has become very dry. We noticed how the whole area looked more like Kenya than England with no fresh greenery apparent.

If you look very carefully the firebeaters are just about visible in the middle and right of the picture. They look like ants.

Oh yes - I also forgot to report on the TB test! While having our snack T phoned to give us the good news that we had passed without any inconclusives!! But we must not get too complacent since the last farm before us who had been clear suddenly had 70 positives and many inconclusives, but at least we can relax until the next test!