SUCCESS - I've just got a wood to play in!

[SimonM]

I have been back to the woodland today, minus the Ranger, and had a proper look round. I think I may have been a bit hasty with my negative comments and feel much happier today.

I have found 2 or 3 areas suitable for hammocking, but some of the lower branches will need to be trimmed, and one great spot for tent camping which has been used in the past unofficially (it even has a small stone fire circle which looks like it hasn't been used in ages).

In addition I have seen sign of fox and badger today, and even managed to sit and have a boil in the bag and a coffee whilst watching some fallow deer. (photo below)

SWMBO will go mad because I now NEED some better binoculars and a telephoto lense for my camera!

Simon

 

[Callan]

How did you find out who your local woodland officer was?

 

[SimonM]

How did you find out who your local woodland officer was?

I was given the details by another local organisation that I contacted.

Finding an area to play in is very frustrating - one organisation passes on the details of another and so on. Be peristent and follow up every lead is the best advice I can give.

Oh - and be be polite even if they say no, you never know if you will need them again in the future!

Simon

 

[mjk123]

Looks like quite an open wood. Means more light. Means more plant life at ground level. Means more animal life eating the plant life. Means you'll be in Jessops soon looking for some nice optics.

 

[SimonM]

Looks like quite an open wood. Means more light. Means more plant life at ground level. Means more animal life eating the plant life. Means you'll be in Jessops soon looking for some nice optics.

Have already eyeballed a nice telephoto lense for the camera - 300mm no less!
Any bigger and I'll need a tripod, according to the salesman anyway!

Next some decent bino's, my pocket sized ones aren't up to it!

Simon

 

[SimonM]

As requested, photos of my playground!

This one shows a possible hammock site in the foreground and an ancient woodland to the rear. (Not allowed in the ancient woodland as it is privately owned).

This one shows the camp site, which already has a stone fire circle. This was a favourite venue on Good Friday at the turn of the century - complete with bare knuckle fights and swing boats!

This one shows a slight depression which is quite boggy, has a small pond, and is a favourite hangout of the red deer apparently!

Simon

 

[h2o]

i think i know where this place is and yes i have camped there without permission.But there is a lot of deer in this area.

 

[SimonM]

i think i know where this place is and yes i have camped there without permission.But there is a lot of deer in this area.

But how did you get there, it is no where near a water source for your canoe?

Did you string up a washing line for the eagle owls to perch on?

Only messin! Enjoy!

Simon

 

[h2o]

i thought it was up nr darwen tower but on further annalysis i think not.

 

[mjk123]

Nice photos.

Great field of view too. Perhaps not quintessential hammockland but you can't have everything. And there's bound to be the odd couple of supports here and there.

 

[Wayland]

Just seen this, Well done Simon.