Yesterday looked like it would be a day on my own at the woods. I had a few non-important jobs in my head but there had been a suggestion that my two pals Simon and Phil might join me for a Tripod day. We refer to our threesome friendship as the Tripod because we have all suffered stress-related mental health issues and still have our ups and downs. We have a common bond with our humour, interests and life experiences and support each other and like a tripod, three legs are very stable. Well Simon couldn’t make it due to other commitments so there was some doubt as to whether Phil would come again after spending his recent three visits to make his shavehorse. Days on my own there are great but having like minded people to share it with are also very good. Yesterday morning I felt that some company would have been preferable, so it was a pleasant surprise to see Phil’s car parked by the entrance when I arrived.

The Wood Anemones are amazing right now. This small clearing has benefited them in particular but they are abundant in most other areas of my plot. We both agreed it would be good to get a few jobs done but take some time out to just experience the woodland and it’s healing powers. I knew Phil would enjoy some personal time to explore a bit so suggested he take a walk around the greater woods, see what he could find, listen to the birds etc. whilst I did a few jobs. So I sent him off for a walkabout while I fed the birds, loaded the car with some logs for the woodburner at home and checked the trail camera. There were 149 shots on it but the majority showed no animals. There were a few interesting clips – the Muntjac deer are still around, a male Roe Deer and what appears to be a pair of Hares. I wondered if previous shots were just one individual but is seems like there are two, so it would be nice to think they might breed.

I haven’t had a fire at the woods since last summer and I know how much Phil (and me too) enjoy the sight and smell of a camp fire with the kettle gently steaming away ready for a brew. So down at the shelter I lit one ready for Phil’s return. We would be spending some time there tidying up and building a log pile so a fire is good company and adds atmosphere. I am slowly developing this site now as a place to hang out more and as a workshop for woodworking and some blacksmithing. It’s starting to take on some character.

The small birds are incredibly abundant and vocal right now. I checked the old blackbird nest at the back of my logshed that had produced four young last year and there is a new egg in it. There was no sign of the parent so has it laid one egg and abandoned it, or just started laying and was out foraging? I’ll know next time I visit.

It was another fantastic day in the woods and again we felt like we just wanted to stay on for the night but we hadn’t brought and camping gear. I left Phil at the camp area where the bird feeders are to enjoy the peace, sounds and sights of the birds while I took a few photos and reset the trail camera. I’ll leave you with a few photos.