Blimey!, I have spent the day clearing a pond of Reedmace and I ache, I spent most of my energy [what little I had] ungluing my wellingtons from the smelly silt and retaining my balance. I am pleased to say I didn’t fall over. The cutting of reeds at the base of the stem is the most successful way of clearing them and limiting their return. The dense growth of reed reduces the waters ability to fill the pond so the clearing gradually began to let water flow back in as we worked our way through the rustling forest. The water also percolates up through the ground and soon what had been relatively dry area began to look like a significant wetland. Two beautiful large frogs paddled out of a small channel that lets water trickle down into the pond from the A428 that runs close by, they glistened in the sun and swam off in the rising water. One of the wildlife staff said frogs won’t be in water this time of year, tell that to the frogs. I have had a fantastic day, the aches will fade, I hope, but I’ll be keen once recovered to do it all again.