Yesterday was the first visit in three weeks but it seems much longer. It was a cloudy gloomy day to start with and now that the canopy is fully covered, the woods seemed very dark. Quiet too, hardly any birds to see or hear. Now that the breeding season is well underway, they don’t waste energy singing. Apart from the robins and little wrens who seem to vocalise at any time of year. The tasks for the day were to cut up and bring home some logs and suss out the new workshop shelter I am hoping to build this year.

The batteries on my camera were flat so I had to use my smartphone, so apologies for not so good resolution and not many photos. This one is in the area where I thinned around a tall oak. It stands in the middle of the sycamore plantation and has to compete for light but I want it to have a better chance of filling out it’s crown. The extra light is noticeable now and the hazel below it will benefit too.

I felt a little disconnected from the woods this time. Partly because I haven’t been for a while, partly because it was dark and gloomy and partly because I have been feeling somewhat down and unmotivated lately. Woodland therapy is just what I needed. I took some time to think and plan my shelter. What has happened is that the sycamore branches I used for the old one were unsuitable. The various boring insects have tunneled their way through to the point of weakening them so much, that they are now collapsing. It’s only lasted three years! I want a more substantial one and slightly bigger so I can use it as a workshop for a bit of blacksmithing and woodworking.

One of my woodland neighbours has just built a huge shed and the construction is impressive. Old telegraph poles are used as corner posts and to support the galvanised steel roof using massive timbers. I thought I would sneak a few photos as reference to building methods. I don’t intend making one as big nor as bomb proof but I liked the way he has built it. I shall aim for a scaled down version, probably with two open sides for light and access.

I’m not entirely sure how big I want it. It needs to be big enough for practical purposes but not too intrusive. I figured about half the size of his, maybe 12 x 10 feet. So I set out some stakes and ropes to get an idea. I think I have decided to make it totally free standing and not reliant on the living oak trees that the old one is lashed to. I tried to find a relatively level area near the old one and this is how it looks. the ropes and long logs mark the footprint.

I need to finish my plan then get some materials and start building. Hopefully it won’t be too long. Once it’s done the old one can be dismantled. That was about all I did for the day. My next visit might be a bit more interesting as I’m planning an overnighter.