Blocking but not NFL style

Ok so I didn't stack all of this and Mike didn't fell all this wood destined for fencing posts etc. But it was harvested by contractors directed by Mike and is on a slightly bigger scale to the 'thinning ' work I have worked with the Rangers on. Thinning serves a number of needs depending on the type of woodland in question. In this case a mixed 'plantation' woodland which provides useful revenue with the fast growing conifers 'nursing' the early growth of broadleaf such as oak, ash, beech.

Broadleaf woodland

So the above Broadleaf woodland is typically where smaller scale thinning by the Rangers take place and where I get involved in clearing the brash  and stacking the woodpiles ready for transport back to base. This work is key for encouraging growth of flora and healthier growth for the ash, sycamore, beech, oak etc remaining.

So in the busy time upto Christmas 2011 I and simon {also a volunteer with impeccable running credentials} were kept busy splitting the seasoned wood which Mike had kindly been 'blocking' {with chainsaw] from the dwindling seasoned woodpiles. In this instance on one damp day late afternoon Mike and I  loaded up the trailer with the split wood and delivered this last load to the local school. Simple enough but it did require good driving skills by Mike to manoeuvre  around the school yard to deposit the load. However this was not until I was surprisingly asked by the school secretary to move the headmaster's car as she thrust his keys into my hand, overlooking the damp/dirty state I was in at this point. Oh well but no complaints and a different sort of public engagement to anything I was expecting.

Anyway that's it for now but possible future posts ..:

• Location, location, location
• 39 steps...
• Who let the fire out
• If u go into the woods today...
• Wanted for crimes against....