Without any planning permission, with no income generation and a month since I last looked at any property, I began the dramatic process of preparing the planks for the oak framed building in the wood. Jim Dye bought his bansaw to the hard standing. Led by Paul, the connector and arranger - Jim Dye had… Continue reading December Bansaw to wood
Category: 2014
December Felling Oaks
It was a crisp December day, with watery sun, that we began the cabin project. Paul felled 8 dead oaks from the wood. The first was The Awkward, the already dead and suspended hung up, full of honey fungus. -The Unfortunate - the one not dead but in the way of the entrance. The Magnificent… Continue reading December Felling Oaks
Oct Nov Pond Dredge
Pond Dredge - the Movie Bit the bullet, and if not now when. Mark Woolnaugh's team of Tim and Roger and Ken came first to clear the ditches then the ponds. Still no rain, shirt sleeve days. Not smoking, using Bob's experience of fake cigarette. Tim uses the digger like a ballerina. I ask for… Continue reading Oct Nov Pond Dredge
October The Green Van
The dirty white caravan - an Arthur fix - was transformed into wood green. It's gaudy caravanesque inside gutted to a single space and carpeted in London Savoy carpet. In October 2014 we towed it to the hard standing - it was the first object into the wood. Painting the caravan in Arthurs yard. Barry's… Continue reading October The Green Van
September Graham and Paul meet in the wood
It was at a party of Graham Elliot, that Paul, chatting to Graham, said he was working on a woodland, and eventually the owner would like to build a cabin. 'I've never built a wood cabin', said Graham. Graham arrived at the woodland with plans drawn up and photocopied. 'With your Buddhist connections, I've based… Continue reading September Graham and Paul meet in the wood
September Woodland visitors
A peel of bell ringers came to the woodland after bell ringing. Jonathan, his friend John (amphibians and insects) Sal and Nickie, Simon - who gave a good idea for the plentiful tyres, use them to protect the new hazel growth, coppice protector. Jon suggested contacting Trevor Wright to get an official felling licence, and… Continue reading September Woodland visitors
September First Days woodland work with Paul and Ben
We discovered hard standing on the first day. First one then another. Altogether there are possibly a total of 5. A sycamore - one of the few - has spread it's roots to the very edges of one, oh tenatious tree. A modest building emerges - Virginia first saw it - probably the toilet block.… Continue reading September First Days woodland work with Paul and Ben
July Boundary Species
Northern Boundary Woodland species July 2014 Map / Haw = Hawthorne / Haz = Hazel / Oak / Elm / Elder / Holly / Ash Map Haw Haw OAK Haz Haw Haz Haw Haw Haw Haw Haz OAK Haw Elm DEAD Map Sycamore Elm DEAD Haw OAK Haz Haw Holly Haw Map Edler Haz OAK… Continue reading July Boundary Species
July Ownership, 28 days later
Twenty eight days later I paid the balance, took a bottle of champagne, a folding chair, rollups and dog to the woodland. I sat under the hornbeams, drank the celebration bubbles listening to the wind through the full summer leaves, wondering where this little adventure will go. The dog played with the champagne cork. No… Continue reading July Ownership, 28 days later
2014 June Auction
Walking through the wood the night before with Kit, she says to me What's the worst outcome. Car money, says Barry Snape, 12 acres, slipped through my fingers. The apple orchard too. Julia is here. Black leather trousers, jean jacket, dark glasses. There are only 3 lots. I'm vaguely aware of 2 under bidders. I… Continue reading 2014 June Auction
