After a few hiccups on previous attempts today the stars did align correctly to tackle the bushes hindering cycle & pedestrian traffic on a blind bend along the river Lea.

Upon discovery that the bulk of the problem were brambles and their natural spiky thorns there was a moment of regret knowing that the sturdy gardening gloves were still at home.... luckily the hastily packed work gloves were a decent enough substitution!

The big shears came out and were the right tool for the job, smoothly cutting through stems/branches/etc until there wasn't any threat to passers-by anymore and a clearer view into the bend was created.

Lunch break over, it was time to pack up tools and litter-pick on the way back to the work van (note to self - clear rubbish out of van in the morning) and back to the day job, wondering how long it would take nature to fully reclaim this seemingly dumped bike...

P.S. ... the first blackberries are ripening and tasting fine!