Boys and i enjoyed a cracking day out in the woods today, was very pleasant to be back up there, in more ways than one, the spring sunshine was even, dare i say it, slightly warm
walking in
Catkins in abundance
Early Primrose, also evidence of Violets and Bluebells peeking through as well, not to mention masses of Dogs Mercury & Wood Spurge
Deer Rub
and a Deer Lay, we studied the lay and found hoof prints and hairs
anyways, we got to the area we frequent in these woods, we like to have a single "base camp" and travel out and explore from a central point as it reduces our impact in the woods and as we are allowed fires here (didn't bother today), it means we don't go leaving fire scars all over the woods.
Unbeknown to me Youngest had bought his Trek made catapult with him
and his Trek made sling,
unbeknown to them, i had bought my NW Manitiou sling with me, which eldest tried to get the hang off
while we were in the woods we wanted to see if the Birch sap was rising yet, simple answer, yes it is, so a quick tap was set and a cup lashed to the tree to capture the sap
how much have we got?
we then set up a double tap on an adjacent tree
this was captured in the first few minutes
the youngest decided it was time to fore arrows from his catapult, the arrow is a length of hazel with a dead leaf set in the end as a flight, worked surprisingly well
him taking a picture of me taking a picture of him
Catkins are stunning at the moment
and an early Ladybird
Jelly Ear fungus
Guess someone round these parts has been collecting birch bark, really no idea who that could be
Birch Polypore
time to head back to the camp for some lunch, boys cooking their lunch
Mine all done and ready to be scoffed
after lunch went for another wander round to see what i could see, found some great Badger tracks
Badger claw marks on a fallen fence post
The Kitchen
Unusual shot, up an Oak tree
Collected some Birch logs to bring home for the carving pile, all of this came from one fallen branch
Had to make a start on a new spoon there and then though - as you do
before long time was getting on, the shadows were growing longer
and it was time to head out and home, via the second hand tool shop (all 9000 sq ft of it):dblthumb:, but that's another story
walking in
Catkins in abundance
Early Primrose, also evidence of Violets and Bluebells peeking through as well, not to mention masses of Dogs Mercury & Wood Spurge
Deer Rub
and a Deer Lay, we studied the lay and found hoof prints and hairs
anyways, we got to the area we frequent in these woods, we like to have a single "base camp" and travel out and explore from a central point as it reduces our impact in the woods and as we are allowed fires here (didn't bother today), it means we don't go leaving fire scars all over the woods.
Unbeknown to me Youngest had bought his Trek made catapult with him
and his Trek made sling,
unbeknown to them, i had bought my NW Manitiou sling with me, which eldest tried to get the hang off
while we were in the woods we wanted to see if the Birch sap was rising yet, simple answer, yes it is, so a quick tap was set and a cup lashed to the tree to capture the sap
how much have we got?
we then set up a double tap on an adjacent tree
this was captured in the first few minutes
the youngest decided it was time to fore arrows from his catapult, the arrow is a length of hazel with a dead leaf set in the end as a flight, worked surprisingly well
him taking a picture of me taking a picture of him
Catkins are stunning at the moment
and an early Ladybird
Jelly Ear fungus
Guess someone round these parts has been collecting birch bark, really no idea who that could be
Birch Polypore
time to head back to the camp for some lunch, boys cooking their lunch
Mine all done and ready to be scoffed
after lunch went for another wander round to see what i could see, found some great Badger tracks
Badger claw marks on a fallen fence post
The Kitchen
Unusual shot, up an Oak tree
Collected some Birch logs to bring home for the carving pile, all of this came from one fallen branch
Had to make a start on a new spoon there and then though - as you do
before long time was getting on, the shadows were growing longer
and it was time to head out and home, via the second hand tool shop (all 9000 sq ft of it):dblthumb:, but that's another story
