It’s two weeks since the last visit but seems like a month. We’ve had a few days away at the coast in the caravan and it was so nice to do some normal things again. Things that Covid19 robbed us of – have a meal and a pint in a pub, look around some shops, visit an art gallery. I was going to say “but we’re not out of the woods yet” but that seems too obvious a corny joke! I feel that we have lost a lot of confidence in just doing things outside our homes. Our comfort zones have shrunk, so my theory is that we just need to start doing things again to expand it. We still need to be cautious of course.

The woods have really progressed in two weeks, though still behind for the time of year due to the cold, dry April we had. I wanted to get some work done, mainly to shift the remaining big logs that were left from felling and stack them ready for seasoning and collection. It was really hard work pushing the wheelbarrow until I realised the tyre was half flat. Fortunately I had a compressor with me to re-inflate it. What a difference it made!

They don’t look all that big in the photo with no point of visual reference but they there is approximately half a cord in volume which weighs approximately 2550lbs which is over a ton in weight. To shift them I had to lift them twice, so I lifted over two tons in weight. On top of that I carried the 11 larch poles I had cut and bark stripped previously, down to the shelter where they will be used to rebuild it. Not bad for an arthritic seventy year old. Hard work but hugely satisfying.

I took a break and noticed some of my neighbours were in. They had been camping over with their young son and little poodle Billy. I haven’t seen them all for about a year, so it was great to re-connect. Billy was incredibly excited and jumped onto my lap, licking me and settling down for a cosy cuddle. I always feel good when a dog seeks me out for a bit of attention. They aren’t being polite, they like you and that is a huge compliment. There were other neighbours in too, ones I don’t know but who had decided to party with numerous guests. I counted about 8 cars parked up on the rides nearby.

The birds were fairly quiet apart from a few Chiffchaffs and Wrens. I guess most are busy raising chicks and no need to draw attention or waste energy singing. A tip that many pop star celebrities should take heed of! Jobs done, I took a walk around with camera and will leave you with a few nice vibrant green nature shots.

Wild Garlic and Bluebells. The Wood Anemones have finished flowering but these other ancient woodland indicator species are in full bloom.

Yesterday was a day of hard graft. I’ve been feeling pretty low this week. Various factors have been playing on my mind. Anxiety and depression rob you of motivation and I started to feel like I couldn’t even be bothered going to the woods, my favourite place to be. Yet that is just the very reason to go. Last visit, I felled a larch tree that my neighbour had kindly donated for my shelter rebuild and he offered me another if I needed it, which I did. So I wanted to get on with it before the bramble really takes a hold and makes it almost impossible to access. I picked one out, it was looking sickly and struggling amongst it’s bigger siblings. I cut it into several long lengths and bundled it into the back of the car, sticking out of the hatch and carefully drove back to mine to process it – peel the bark.

There were six lengths to peel and it was going to take me the rest of the day to complete. It was very demanding on my old body but despite the resulting aches and pains and small bruises, it was hugely satisfying. I felt completely at one with the woods. Good, honest physical graft. No need to think much, just shaping the wood and working the body whilst surrounded by a fabulous green haven of trees, plants and rich birdsong. I was content. Each piece was taking about half an hour and lot’s of energy. I try to pace myself by taking a short break between logs. Just sitting and watching and listening to the life around me. A pair of buzzards wheeled about and descended, swooping through the tops of my trees. I thought they were about to land but maybe they spotted me and decided against it.

Apart from work, it was also a good day for wildlife spotting. I took a walk around to observe some of my bird boxes and get an idea of nesting activity. Lot’s of bluetits in and out of them suggested young chicks to feed. One adult landed very close to me and gave me a good telling off. I was busy looking at something else and hadn’t realised I was standing right next to a box which it was keen to get back into. A sparrowhawk zoomed above the tops of the trees, no doubt giving the little birds a fright! On arrival there was this “gift” prominently left on a large log – I feel sure it is fox poo. They deposit it in raised locations to mark their territory. I smiled at the thought of the fox jumping up onto the log and the balancing act required.

Here are a few more photos of the day

For me, it is absolutely the best time of the year. Spring is just getting into top gear, new growth bursting out with vibrant greens that are all too soon gone. I almost feel a sense of panic that I can’t take it all in before the leaves become jaded, insects and diseases eat into them and the whole place darkens as the canopy thickens. Of course that is the natural progression of the whole eco system but I love this freshness and new energy and just wish I could slow it down a little.

Yesterday was a glorious sunny day. After a month of dry weather, we have had some rain which will boost the new growth even more. I had a special job to do. A woodland neighbour very kindly offered to let me fell and take back a small Larch tree, to use for support poles for the rebuild of my shelter. Larch has a decent resistance to rot and I don’t have any suitable ones in my own woods. The tree was easy to fell and transport back and the next task was to peel off the bark. That helps to stop it getting invaded by wood boring insects. It’s not an ideal time to fell a tree but I am planning to start the rebuild this summer. Because the sap is rising now, the bark came away very easily using a drawknife. It’s a back aching job but quite satisfying. Here are before and after photos.

The birds have quietened down a lot now, presumably because they have found partners and sitting on eggs. No need to advertise anymore. The day was a busy one but I took some time out to wander around and just take it all in. I was sussing out the shelter which is close to some magnificent Beech trees. They are one of my favourite species. So strong yet elegant and at this time of year, the leaves are a vibrant lime green. I had a an irresistible urge just to lie down on the leafy earth beneath them. The perspective from this level is totally different to walking about and it’s something I used to love doing as a child. When you feel this type of urge, forget whatever your sensible adult mind is telling you and just do it. I felt an instant sense of joy. Not an emotion I am familiar with these days! Being in the moment is almost a cliche now but that’s what it is. A sense of being at ease with your universe. I had to tear myself away. I could have easily fallen into a deep sleep and lain there for hours but there was still work to do

There’s really not much more I can say about the day. It was fantastic and I’ll just leave you with a few more photos. If there are woods near you, go take a walk through them while they are at their best.