autumn | Diary of a man and his woodland

After weeks of grey, wet and dreary weather, the sun came out yesterday and it makes such a difference at this time of year. My general mood is low these days but a day at the woods raises it for a while and the added bonus of sunshine was very welcome. A few weeks ago I felled a small diameter tall sycamore with a bow saw. I liked the idea but it didn’t cut well and after some research decided to buy a new one and give it another go. It was a big improvement. I picked what looked like an easy tree to fell but as per usual, it got hung up. A bigger heavier tree would have just brushed it’s way through the small branches that were holding it back. A rope around it and a pull sideways dislodged it straight away and it fell where I wanted it. I cut it into manageable lengths and carried it back to my base where I will use the chainsaw to cut into firewood sized logs at a later date.

It’s the middle one and you can see it’s snagged on the left hand one. The rope around it was then tied as tight as I could to another tree to the right, preventing it slipping down, then a couple of tugs to get it swinging and it was out.

It was time for a brew and I had intended using the camper stove for the first time. I’d brought a tin of soup for lunch and intended heating that on the stove too. I couldn’t get it to light, wondered if I wasn’t using it correctly. So what I should have done a long time ago, was check that there was actually any gas in the bottle! I had assumed there was and you know what assume does – it makes an ass out of u and me. Being in the woods meant I had other options but if I’d headed off somewhere for a trip and a hot lunch I would have been snookered. So it was a good exercise and a lesson in preparation. Lighting a fire is always a treat anyway!

Apart from a cheeky wren shouting at me and a robin that followed me around while logging, I saw nobody, but I never feel alone when in the woods. I am surrounded by life who I consider to be my allies. I’ve said it before, I become a component part of the woods, I am of the woods, an equal, no more no less than the rest be it a mighty beech tree, a millipede or a tiny mushroom. We are all connected across the whole planet yet mankind has, on the whole, disconnected and forgotten, placing himself above it and damaged and poisoned it. Watching a tiny bird foraging for food reminds me how we should be, just take enough for our needs and look after it. That’s my role in this tiny patch of earth, to do my best to look after it.

Apart from taking a few logs home I had no other jobs planned for the day so I spent some time just walking around, observing and letting the energy of the woods recharge me. A few more photos of this beautiful place –

A flock of gulls gently circled above me, mesmerising and peaceful in the autumn sun.

Two trees hanging onto a few leaves, glowing in the sun.

Gorgeous colours of sycamore and lime leaves among the brown oak and beech

Rosie Bonnet fungi

The early morning drive down to the woods yesterday was bathed with the beautiful golds and yellows of autumn trees. This year is one of the best I have ever seen for colours. In another week or two it will all be gone, so I was glad to have been able to see mine at it’s best yet. The best colours are to be seen on the beech, oak and hazel. I stepped out of the car and all was silent apart from three nearby wrens tick-tick-ticking away at each other.

I could hardly wait to check my trail cam in it’s newest location. There were 33 captures and the first half looked disappointing – grey squirrels or blanks. Then a surprise – muntjac deer. These small deer are not native to the UK, originating in Asia and introduced here around 1900. Apparently they are thriving and on our hit list of undesirables and can be very damaging. They are cute though and for me, quite a thrill to see them in my woods. The second to last clip on the video shows a pair so there may be some more before long!

I wanted to finish the guttering on the shelter. I had left it with a temporary, leaky fix on the down pipe. I took a peak in the water butt, expecting a small amount of water and was amazed that it was half full already. It wasn’t long before more rain came and confined me to the inside of the shelter. I hadn’t expected any rain but was happy to spend time making a few homely additions (some hooks and a hanging rail) and making some bodgers’ mallets from some oak logs. They are handy for helping split small firewood, chiselling or knocking wedges in when felling. The shelter is looking more workmanlike now with a good supply of dry logs for some warming, wintry fires.

I had decided to build my culinary skills using the rocket stove and cook an omelette. Quite adventurous for me, I am not renown for my cooking and omelette is something I repeatedly fail at, even at home. It always sticks but my dear wife has shown me the correct way, so I was keen have a go. It was to be mushroom and black olive omelette (I like odd combinations) and I set about skillfully preparing my vegetables, lighting the fire and mixing the egg. I nearly ruined it at this stage. I had some small sachets of salt and pepper. I opened the salt and poured half in, then opened the second sachet and started to dump the whole contents in, only to realise that the pepper looked suspiciously like another salt packet. Whoa, I just managed to stop half way. So I fried off the mushrooms and olives then poured the egg in. I have repeatedly said how wonderful the cast iron skillets are at not sticking. They are as smooth and slippery as Donald Trump. Well not this time! I have just created a new egg dish – “scramlette”. A cross between scrambled egg and omelette. I have also decided it will be the last time I will try this particular delight. Judge for yourself and if you like the look I can give you the recipe and method.