Still waiting for another full day of SUN (possibly next year!!!), when I can dye the next batch of teasels.......Meanwhile I've started partially loading the poles with teasels au naturel, with my husband providing the extra point of interest at crucial moments.

Having finally got a dry day in which to work outside......I have now almost completed one pole. All teasel bunches are now tied together with wire and wired on to the pole. Interestingly whatever it is that is infesting the teasels is still trying to survive on the black teasel, as there is still signs on a web-like structure. I can imagine a gallery with an infestation! The 'worm' goes with the theme of death......

I think they look rather like 'over done' chicken satay. My neighbour Olive kindly gave me a hand to get the pole inside before the rain starts again. She had a shock when she saw all the bunches of teasels piled up in the piano room.

Went back to Uphill on Friday to collect more teasels this time on my own. Found a new source in a more sheltered low lying area. Lots of dog walkers stopped to ask me what I was doing. The dogs don't like me carrying bundles of teasels and start barking which is rather disconcerting.
Saw the pair of deer again coming from the estuary and heading for the reed beds.
Some of the teasels seem to be infested with a worm/grub which seems to create a small web-like structure on the outside of the teasel. Can't find anything about it on the internet so will have to ask around. Most important thing is to try and avoid picking these teasels lest they infect the rest of my precious crop.

Have tried stacking them on a pole today without using any fixing material but this is not going to work as these teasels are not prickly enough!!!! The hooked teasels probably naturally 'hooked' together. I'm going to have to wire these on and aim to transport poles with teasels in situ. I'm not sure how well they will travel but I haven't got much choice.

Another good day collecting teasels, this time at Uphill near WSM. A gloriously sunny day. Skylarks singing, swans swimming and deer hiding in the reed beds.

Many thanks to my two trusty helpers Liz and Bella 'the bold'!