Time really flies for me these days – three weeks since I was last here. Most of the leaves are off now, just a few stragglers and the oaks, like the one in the middle here, which hang on to them for awhile. The main purpose of the visit was to cut up and stack some dead ones that had either come down or been felled for safety. There was a dead birch right next to where I park so this needed to come down.

The dead horse chestnut I felled last time has some nice spalting. It’s a discolouration caused by fungal growth and is much prized by wood carvers. So rather than leave it all as deadwood, I cut several pieces. The birch also has lots of spalting but it might be too far gone and “punky” for carving. After several trips back and forth with the wheelbarrow, I got it all stacked under a tarp to either chop up later for firewood or use some for carving. I am a member of a spoon carving club which meets up every month, so I will take some of it for others to use next time.

While working around the van, a very brave robin came close. I scuffed a patch of leaves away to help it find food. It took advantage right away. I’m hoping I can get this one feeding off my hand. Haven’t had a friendly one for a while now. I always feel privileged when a robin comes close as it shows trust in me.

Not much else to tell other than I have a very aching back this morning which is not a result of the heavy lifting but trying to start my chainsaw. It has an annoying habit of refusing to start when I have had it running but switch it of for ten minutes. I shall leave you with a few more photos