Tuesday 28th August 2007

Up again about 7:30. By this time Ben and Josh had put more kindling on the fire and it was close to getting going again. They had obviously studied what I had been doing. We had a short discussion about the dangers of relighting fires, and they understood that it should only be done under supervision. Breakfast was again porridge and toast, with a cup of tea.

After we had cleared up the breakfast things it was time to pack up ready for the journey home. Having packed most of my things I took Nat, Ben and Josh for a walk round the track to the other gate and back, leaving Steve and Will to finish their packing. By 12:30 we were packed and ready to leave. Steve set off, and I followed on behind having said farewell to Pam and Barney.

On the way back we met up at the Newcott Chef for lunch. On the journey back I had a call from Mr Williamson of the pig farm. He wanted to know what I thought about his application. I stated that I disagreed with it as the area should be kept as managed woodland, and not for any kind of livestock. I also said that I thought his buildings were inappropriate for both his proposed purpose and the area. Whether it will make any difference I have no idea, but at least he knows how I feel.

Got back home about 4:30, the end of a fabulous few days.

27th August 2007

By the time I woke up at 8, everybody else was already up and dressed. I got up and helped rekindle the fire. It was colder last night and there is still a chill in the air now at 10:15. Having had breakfast the boys are now playing lighting sticks in the fire.

Steve and the boys went into town to do some shopping whilst I went round to Fernbank to set out the corners of the workshop. On arrival at Fernbank the Buzzard flew down from the top of a tall Oak and down the track away from me. Saw several Gatekeepers, and 4 Dragonflies. Also there was a wren down by the Quarry, and daisy-like flowers at Fernbank. Ben found some Hazelnuts, including some that had been eaten. Later research determined these were probably eaten by a Wood Mouse.

The others came back and we set out the corners more accurately. Dug a trial foundation trench. With use of a mattock its relatively easy. Then headed back to camp to make pasta for lunch.

After lunch we decided to go to Jamaica Inn at Bolventnor. It is the Inn where Daphne Du Maurier placed her book of the same name. There was quite an interesting set of dioramas and a smuggling museum, but the boys wanted to move on through.

Back at camp the boys put on a short play for us. Tea was a fry-up of sausages, bacon, mushrooms, eggs, fried bread, and beans, with a cup of tea. After we'd cleared up Will and Nat cooked some more marshmallows on the fire.

It is getting cooler and damper this evening although there is very high level cloud.

26th August 2007

Again I woke up about 7:30, and by 8 the fire was well on its way. Breakfast of porridge, toast, and a cuppa. The boys had Frosties and toast.

After breakfast we had to restart my car. This involved pushing it into a position where we could get the jump leads to it. Will had to get in and 'drive', whilst Steve, Nat and I pushed. After some hard pushing we managed it, and got my car started.

I then trimmed back a few trees that were starting to encroach on the track.

Steve noticed that Josh had a tick on his neck. After trying to remove it with tweezers we decided to ring Barney for some advice. He said he had a removal gadget, so we went to see him. Removal is by grabbing the head and twisting in an anti-clockwise direction. Alternatively, they can be suffocated by covering them with Vaseline. Also worth treating the area with antiseptic after removal. If a red patch appears around the area then you should immediately get a doctor to do a blood test for Lyme's disease.

By now it was lunchtime so we decided it was time to stop.

Earlier today we had seen an adult and about 6 juvenile lizards. They were dappled brown/green, with the juveniles being almost brown. This area will now be known as lizard corner.

After lunch I cut some more firewood, which Steve and the boys brought back to camp. We now have a large log pile ready for this evening. We're now about to head down to Fernbank for the boys' fire building challenge. Josh's fire was the most efficiently built, although it wouldn't light until rebuilt. Ben's lit straight away and was the most artistic. It burnt really well and was the overall winner. Nats was the most architectural and was a classic cone fire. He would have been been joint winner if he hadn't tried to form a newspaper fuse. Will's was the most dangerous. It took a rebuild and three attempts to light it. Once lit it burnt quite a bit of the surrounding grass. It also shot shale out from the fire. 1st place went to Bem, 2nd to Nat, and equal 3rd to Will and Josh.

Returned to The Hollies and had a Mars Bar before getting the fire going again. Tonight we're having chilli with rice. Mince with Homepride chilli sauce and baked beans, served with a tortilla wrap and a cup of tea.

Steve saw a large red Damselfly at Fernbank. Night before last I heard a Barn Owl to the Southwest. We identified the frog/toad last night as a common toad.

Whilst sitting around the fire, Ben asked what the metal stand we had been using for cooking was called. I didn't have a name for it. Ben said that as it had "Jeff" written on it, we should call it Jeff. So that's its name!

25th August 2007

Woke up at about 8. Got up and restarted the fire. We had a heavy dew last night. Our rubbish bag had been opened and a yoghurt pot taken out and chewed. We came to the conclusion it was probably a fox. Made breakfast. Porridge was close to perfect this time, and serving it in a bowl helped retain the heat. Made toast on the mesh part of the stand, which was perfect.

After breakfast we headed into town to have a look around and do some shopping. We went to the castle first. It was much more impressive and interesting than I thought it would be. We then went into town and got some pasties, sandwiches and drink. We went back to the Castle Lawn and ate in the shade of the trees. We were then going to go to look at the museum, but it was closed (only open on weekdays). After getting some provisions we headed back to the camp.

The sun is really beating down and we are seeking some shade. Steve and the boys are going to have play their "wide game", which is a sort of hide and seek.

At about 4pm a Buzzard flew low over The Hollies and was mobbed by BBJs (Big Black Jobs), probably crows. Ravens were also heard, but not seen on this occasion. Nathanael saw a fox on the track between The Hollies and Fernbank. Will saw what he thinks was a common lizard on the bank at the corner of the turn into The Hollies. Steve saw a Striped Winged Grasshopper, identified by its red markings.

Rekindled the fire and baked some potatoes. Took about 45-50 minutes. Had then with baked beans and cheese, followed by rice pudding and a cup of tea.

It is decidely cooler this evening. It feels like there is a mist rolling in. Complete cloud cover, and quite hazy by 7:30. By9:30 the dew was dripping off the trees and the air was damp and cold, so we decided to turn in for the night. Nat found a tan-coloured frog or toad by their tent.

24th August 2007

I've already lost track of the days. Must've woken about 7:30 and got up about 8. Relit the fire and got the kettle on. Made some more porridge, this time with mixed fruit. Much better, although tomorrow I'll add the fruit during cooking rather than at the end. Cleared up my breakfast things and did some simple QiGong exercises - amazingly refreshing.

Next job is to finish strimming the site ready for Steve's arrival later. Wood Pigeon calling in the distance.

Strimmed the area where Steve will pitch his tent. Its mainly reed there so I haven't been able to get it very short. Hopefully it will be OK. Put the kettle on for a cuppa. Whilst I was waiting for the kettle to biol, Barney appeared. He has a problem with his printer and wondered if I'd take a look. I agreed to take a look in return for a cup of tea. It turned out to be the printer driver not recognising the new ink cartridge had been installed. In return for sorting it out he gave me a bottle of wine, which I accepted reluctantly.

Back at camp I finished off the baguette I bought yesterday for lunch. Time to relax and read my bushcraft magazine. A Gatekeeper is resting on the brambles in The Hollies.

Steve and Co arrived about 2pm. Set up their tent. Went and got some water from the spring. Needed Will and his wellies so that we could get the collapsable bucket under a small waterfall. On the way I spotted a Hawthorn tree. Cut some firewood and then set about making dinner; spaghetti bolognese, yoghurt and a cup of tea. After clearing up we sat down around the fire and the boys did some marshmallows on the fire.

An iridescent Damselfly landed on some brambles in The Hollies. Black wings with an electric blue tail. We chatted well into the evening, and went to bed about 11:30.

23rd August 2007

Woke about 7:00, but didn't get up until about 7:30. Heard a crow fly overhead, together with several wood pigeon. Relit the fire, and had breakfast of porridge with honey, wolfberries, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. OK, but will add fruit tomorrow. It cooled down very quickly in the pan. OH, and a cup of tea.

Next job is to sort out the car, and then get some shopping. A successful sortie into Launceston to replenish supplies. First job back at site was to rekindle the fire and get a brew going.

Several Dragonflies are buzzing around. Yellow body changing to a blue and black tail from what I could see, about 3 inches long. There is also a cricket or grasshopper in the brambles next to me. What looks like pink heather is growing in the middle of the campsite. Also saw a violet butterfly, about 1 inch across.

Another Dragonfly, this time nearly all yelloe and about 3 inches long. Fighting the previous one now. Both are around the brambles.

Soon it was time to start heading down to Bridge Plantation for the Planning Site Meeting. There was about 25 of us including several Parish Councillors, Wildlife Trust and surrounding land owners. Mr Williamson wants to convert his 10 acre plot into a small pig farm. The meeting was to discuss the nature and siting of his proposed buildings; 4 off 4m x 20m. Supposedly they are for storage of fodder and wood products, but they seem completely out of proportion.

Apparently he can change the use of the woodland to agriculture without needing any consent, and he is permitted to erect up to 465 square metres of buildings under permitted development rights. All they can do is object to the siting and appearance of the buildings. However, several people raised objections under wildlife, Rights of Way, and Conservation Acts, so hopefully they will reject the application on these grounds.

Got back to camp about 2 and had soup lunch and a cuppa.

Decided the next job was to sort out some firewood. I cut up the trunks of the trees I had felled by hand on my last visit. Used the car to transport them back. As I was finishing unloading the logs, Barney appeared and invited me back for a drink and a chat.

Pam, Barney, and I sat on their patio. After 2 bottles of beer, Barney and I started on his bottle of Jägermeister, which is a liquorice flavoured spirit, 34% ABV. Between us we finished the whole bottle! Walked rather usteadily back to camp at about 9, and sat in front of the fire until about 10:30. Then went to bed. It was only when I was in bed that I realised that I hadn't had any dinner. Oh well, a bit late now!

22nd August 2007

Dropped of Taz (the cat) and packed the car. Left home about 12:15. Traffic wasn't too bad, but I was in no rush anyway. Stopped at the Newcott Chef for lunch about 1:45.

Arrived at the wood about 3:30. The grass has grown a lot since I was last here. Straight away I set to work with the strimmer, working my way from the track to The Hollies. Barney arrived and told me about a planning site meeting tomorrow further down the track. Someone wants to put in a pig farm! Meeting is at midday tomorrow.

Finished the strimming for today, and pitched the tent. Then it was time to light a fire and get something to eat and drink. I made maccaroni pasta with Campbell's chicken soup. And a cup of tea!

Sun is just starting to go below the horizon (19:45). Will clear up and then sit and relax before having an early night.

Waited until the heat had gone out of the fire. The night was surprisingly light, and by 9:30 only a few stars were visible. First to appear was Arcturus, which was later identified from Ursa Major. Cassiopeia was also seen, together with a few single stars. Went to bed about 9:30.

15th August 2007

I've booked to go on a 5-day Coppicing and Green Woodworking course at Westonbirt Arboretum.
The course runs from 3rd to 6th of September. It is organised by the Small Woods Association, The Green Wood Centre, and the Bill Hogarth MBE Memorial Apprenticeship Trust.

Each of the first 4 days concentrates on a particular craft, such as; cleft gates, hurdles, turning, spoon making. The last day is less structured, so you can revisit something from earlier in the week, or try something new. There will also be a charcoal burn.


More details once I've been...