I was keen to get some serious work done on the brambles. Three aims – to cut some paths into the lower half of the woods, tidy up the ride (track) edges and to clear some of the planted sycamore area which is covered with it. First job was to have a walk-around and a really close look to see where I wanted my paths. The lower half of the wood is my best bit. It’s the closest part to look like a natural wood. It has many different tree species of different sizes and ages but it’s hard to walk around. Not just because of brambles but also fallen deadwood etc. I wanted a path that cuts across from one side to the other, about half way down and maybe another one that joins it in the middle, so I can move around more easily and also show visitors a bit more of it without getting snagged up. Because of the density overhead, the brambles weren’t too big a problem here. I marked the paths with some garden canes with coloured tops so I can remember where they are and keep them trimmed until they get established as regular paths.

There’s a big gnarly old crab apple tree that is laden with apples right now. I wanted to be able to access it, so one of the new paths runs alongside it. I fixed a bird nest box there last winter and it looks like it has been occupied. The tell-tale signs are the paint around the entrance hole has been worn away. The birds like to clean up the hole a bit when building their nest. The tree also has a big rambling honeysuckle growing up it. The rope-like loop you can see on the photo is that – completely natural. The peeling bark of honeysuckle makes a fantastic tinder for lighting your fire.

Most of the afternoon was spent in the sycamore area with the brushcutter. This is a heavy duty strimmer type machine which really slashes through the think stems of bramble. It won’t kill them at this stage, they’ll re-emerge next spring but this first cut is just to severe them at ground level and clear some of the huge mass of vegetation so I can walk about. Further cutting will be easier and lighter work and hopefully weaken the plants. At present, you cannot walk through it at all. Last winter I cut a wide path through the centre of it, so I went back over that too. The time I spent on it made me feel I’d covered a biggish area but when I stepped back and took in the whole scene, it is just a tiny patch. Lots of work to do still.

In between bramble bashing sessions, I managed to have some time just to observe the woods. It really is a magical place for me – just exploring, standing and watching nature. I spotted a tree creeper busy working it’s way up the trees looking for food, a robin nearby was singing it’s heart out, two giant black slugs where entwined enjoying a bit of baby-making (hope they like brambles). Can’t wait to get back there on Sunday when I’m meeting a pal to show him around and just chill out for a while. Below, a few photos taken whilst exploring.