Wood gathering rights
I had an interesting dilemma this week as I did my regular trawl of the woods for dry kindling and fallen trees. We own half of a block of woodland that has been largely untouched for many years – being old bog it is seen as being of little value, and not worth...Coppicing and horse permaculture
Since autumn appears to have arrived (and because it’ll take me weeks), I’ve made a start on coppicing over in the woods. Although it is mainly birch, I’ve started with an area that has some ash in it, to give the ash a fighting chance, and because...What works?
Having just stumbled outside at 4am in the cold and sheeting rain to rummage around in the log pile, so that I can get the range re-lit and make a cup of tea, I can reflect not only on the joys of early parenthood, but on how handy modern conveniences such as electric...Charlie’s House
I worked with Charlie briefly on the community hub building at Lammas, and not only is he a top bloke, but a fantastic example of how someone with relatively little experience can create the most amazing building. It really is the nicest reciprocal frame roundhouse...With the blessing of horses
Horses always seem to be fascinated by small people, and Sherafey is no exception. I presented Lyra to her, and she very carefully blew warm breaths over her, and had a good old sniff, whiffling around her very gently. I can’t imagine anything better to see a...
Say hello to Lyra
Well, what a night (and a day). This time yesterday bump was just that, a bump; and we’d got quite happily used to him or her being around. Anyhow, in the middle of the night she decided it might be time to get outa there, and so this morning, here she is,...What comes down, must go up
Ever since the horses arrived here, and through all the terrible weather, the lack of stables has really bothered me, and Sherafey, who dashed into hers as soon as it was finished. It also means poor Mel here can eat his dinner in peace without being monstered by the...