Woodlife Trails

Last night I slept in the garden. I slung the hammock and put the reindeer skin between the two sheets of the hammock (I think you can only do this with a DDHamock). This made a good insulation, but as the skin wasn’t that close to the body I didn’t overheat. It was a very mild night, and I only draped the sleeping bag over me. I hoped to see or hear some nightlife in the garden, but fell directly to sleep, rocking gently in the balmy breeze.

In the morning I went to airfield wood. It is now so overgrown, I could hardly make out the track. No one goes in these woods and it’s amazing to see the contrast between the managed woodland I was in yesterday to this wood. The tree covering is very thick, thus the wood is very cool and damp. This also allows the mosquitos to run amok. I’ve also noticed the crows aren’t as noisy. Most probably because the fledglings have now left the nests. I’m sure I saw a sparrowhawk darting amongst the trees…a silent hunter until the kill is about to be made.

The only other life form I saw was the local fox skirting the south side if the wood. I couldn’t tell whether it was “Limpy” or not.

Taking a leaf out of the American Bushman’s book, I tried some firelighting by friction. I’m using buddlea for the drill and pine for the base. I was deeply disappointed with not even a sniff of smoke. I’m not even getting any dust. The drill end gets a bit hot but both ends just smooth out. I must be doing something seriously wrong. Back to the books I think. I’m sharing AB’s frustration, but at least he’s getting smoke!! Oh well, it is Father’s Day. My son’s bought me a bottle of port, and I consider it unlucky to leave it in the house unopened…time to head home.

Walking out to the outskirts of the wood, I noticed a growing number the scarlet pimpernel. These are delightful tiny red plants. Underneath the leaves you can find black spots.

If you haven’t read yesterday’s excursion into Broaks wood, read on below. See you next week.