Woodland skills
The girls are definitely turning native, they enjoy countryside pursuits these days, you wouldn’t think they had a Londoner for a mother.
When we moved to the isle of Wight we were amused by some of the activities here. We were very sarcastic about the enjoyment to be had at a Hedge laying competition.
Last year we were a little more interested as we had a friend who entered and whose team came 3rd in the team class.
But this years the girls are positively upset that we are going to be on the mainland while this rural extravaganza takes place.
Throughout the winter on almost invariably wet Tuesday’s they have been doing a woodland skills course with Rick and Nick the rangers at various copses around the island. They have been coppicing, loppering, thinning, clearing brambles and making lots of fires. For the last few weeks they have been having a go at Hedge-laying at Golden Hill Fort.
They have been cutting pleachers
And learning about hethering.
And still using lots of sharp tools.
using a bow saw
they love loppers
Sorry to say we have cut down most of our trees so they can’t get any practice!!!!