Tuition

Had a guy from Colchester here today on a course - Cliff Jones. He was really keen to learn all he could about green woodwork, asked lots of intelligent questions and took a lot of notes. He's been working in the IT sector and has suddenly realised that there's more to life than "chasing the dollar", that the best things in life really ARE free (such as sitting round a fire in a woodland chatting and drinking tea). He asked me to assess his potential as a green woodworker and I think he could definitely make it.
It was a pleasure to teach him and he really picked my brains.

I notice that nobody ever leaves a comment on my blog. Is there anyone out there reading it ? ? Why am I writing it ? Answers on a postcard please.

Visit my website www.treewright,co.uk

Tuition

Had a guy from Colchester here today on a course - Cliff Jones. He was really keen to learn all he could about green woodwork, asked lots of intelligent questions and took a lot of notes. He's been working in the IT sector and has suddenly realised that there's more to life than "chasing the dollar", that the best things in life really ARE free (such as sitting round a fire in a woodland chatting and drinking tea). He asked me to assess his potential as a green woodworker and I think he could definitely make it.
It was a pleasure to teach him and he really picked my brains

Autumncleaning the workshop

Had a really good clear out in the workshop over the last couple of days. Got rid of a ton of cobwebs and all those little bits of wood I was saving in case they came in useful. In fact I had a small fire going all day and have now discovered the bench and vice that was buried underneath ! The thing that spurred me on was that someone is coming on a course tomorrow and I’d feel really embarassed for them to see it in that chaotic state.

I haven’t been able to find a broadband connection lately but hopefull that will change soon when this new deal from the Utilities Warehouse kicks in - free landline phonecalls, broadband and cheaper electricity and gas.

For anyone with an Apple Mac or using iPhoto to manage their pictures check out a free download on the Apple site. Its called iPhoto Library Manager and is a doddle to use.
I also downloaded Google SketchUp for free but it’s far too complicated - 3D walkthrough etc. I only want to be able to do simple(ish) tech drawings, diagrams etc.

Autumncleaning the workshop

Had a really good clear out in the workshop over the last couple of days. Got rid of a ton of cobwebs and all those little bits of wood I was saving in case they came in useful. In fact I had a small fire going all day and have now discovered the bench and vice that was buried underneath ! The thing that spurred me on was that someone is coming on a course tomorrow and I’d feel really embarassed for them to see it in that chaotic state.

I haven’t been able to find a broadband connection lately but hopefull that will change soon when this new deal from the Utilities Warehouse kicks in - free landline phonecalls, broadband and cheaper electricity and gas.

For anyone with an Apple Mac or using iPhoto to manage their pictures check out a free download on the Apple site. Its called iPhoto Library Manager and is a doddle to use.
I also downloaded Google SketchUp for free but it’s far too complicated - 3D walkthrough etc. I only want to be able to do simple(ish) tech drawings, diagrams etc.

Gazette

Hooray ! the Bodgers Gazette finally arrived today (the quarterly journal of our Association of Pole Lathe Turners see www.bodgers.org.uk). I suppose I should be in the Bungee Lathe Turners really as I don't use a pole much. I wonder if it will have as many speling misteaks in it when Sue is the Editor ? Peter Jameson phoned me and we both agreed that it was a shame for a 'green' organisation to have its journal delivered in a non-recyclable plastic bag rather than the old brown envelope that we could re-use. Also I wish they'd put my website details in as all the other professional bodgers are there. I'll just have to do it myself . . . .WWW.TREEWRIGHT.CO.UK

Tapas & Logs

Been sorting out the woodpile and chopping logs in the last couple of days. Got a nice big pile of winter firewood now.

Tonight we went to a tapas bar in Harlow (?!) with Anne & Gary. It was the first time I've eaten that type of food and I really enjoyed it. There was a young Spanish guy playing flamenco and latin jazz on the guitar so the ambient atmosphere was perfect. Could almost have been in Seville whatever that's like.

1 less beehive

Enjo & Gillian came and took one of the beehives away today - couldn't have been less suitable weather. Cold, mizzly and grismal, low clouds - it never really got light. Just the sort of day to cosy up with a good book which I DID. Picked up a copy of "A Reverence for Wood" by Eric Sloane ISBN 0486433943. It was first published in 1965 and reprinted by Dover Books in 2004. I thoroughly recommend it, in fact I recommend any and all of his books if you can find them. Wonderful drawings and a reader friendly style of writing.

Photo is of my grandad Charlie Fawcett on the day in 1916 that he signed his indentures to become an apprentice joiner.

Visit my website and give wood not plastic this Christmas www.treewright.co.uk

Yesterday

We went down to see my dad and Velma in Faversham. He's recently had a bowel cancer operation and now has a colostomy. he looks good on it though and still retains a wicked, childish sense of humour (see photo wearing my hat). This is a stunt he used to pull when we were kids where he drops his false teeth down over his lip and frowns. They have just got an Apple Mac laptop on which I showed Velma a few tips and tricks. Went and had a lovely meal out at The Alma in Painters Forstal - I had one of the best steak and kidney puddings available in England.

SATURDAY
First shoot of the season at Gaynes Park near Epping where my mate Tony is the gamekeeper. I am one of the raggle taggle beaters and I love the craic. I hate guns though and would find it difficult to shoot a pheasant myself but we get paid in birds for our help and I brought two brace of hens home. The guns seemed to have it in for the ladies today - or perhaps there just aren't as many cocks this year. Unfortunately after some brilliant, sunny but frosty days recently it was cold, dull and rainy. I didn't feel like going all that much but I'm glad I did because as Tony says "people out there pay a lot of money to get that kind of cardio-vascular exercise" ! I will sleep well tonight.

Funny face

Wrong one

I can't believe I uploaded the wrong photo. This technology gets me in a spin and sends me slightly (more) mad. I don't think I'll bother with this blog for a while unless something faintly exciting happens.

THAT photo - 4th try

Lazy Day

Having a bit of a lazy lay-in this morning when there was a knock on the door at 8.15. We had forgotten the boiler was being serviced today so had to leap up sharpish.
Spent the morning redesigning the layout of our course leaflet which looks good. Most people can access the courses through the website but there are quite a few who hate the web and want hard copy. In the afternoon we went up to Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire to look round the antique galleries and for a bite of lunch. I found a really good leather tool pouch for £3.50 and a Robert Sorby drawknife for £6. Ness got some green glass earrings.

Here's another shot of Epping Forest last week in its Autumn Glory - I bet it doesn't look like that now after all the wind and rain. (10 minutes later it doesn't look as if Blogger wants to upload my pic. Has it got an irrational fear of Autumn scenes?). No it just won't do it - I'll try again later - I'm not being freaked by glitchy, stubborn technology.

By the way the crayons (see yesterday) are £5 for a bundle of four.

Woburn Safari Park

You would never bet on whether you were going to make money or not at these events. There are too many random influences at work - phase of the moon, general feelgood factor, the fact that everyone has just spent a fortune on fireworks etc etc. We've been places where we made a pile of cash before and done hardly any business and vice versa. You have to be philosophical and hope for the best and expect the worst. This was not a good one which was quite dispiriting given the amount of hard work and energy we put in. The Wildebeest just weren't grazing - a lot of the "3P's" ie Pick it up, Put it down and Push off.
We did sell quite a few of the new line in twig crayons though (see pic). Available now - contact us through the website www.treewright.co.uk

Getting ready for the final show of the year

Last couple of days have been frantic trying to make up stock for the weekend. Let's hope it's worth it.
Andy from across the road has been painting the front of the house - something I just can't seem to get round to (along with all the other bits & pieces !).

Here's the photo which vanished and left a question mark.

Blogspots a bummer

What the hell happened to the beautiful Autumn scene I downloaded yesterday ? Why's it been replaced by a question mark ? ? ? ? ? ? I'll plague you with Autumn scenes from now on. (See todays)

WEDNESDAY

Andy from over the road is painting our windows and porch at the front. I had to do a lot of running around this morning for wood hardenenr/stabiliser and 2part filler. I hate painting. It'll look great.

Finished off 21 whistles and a load of french knitters.

Played the guitar - "A Taste of Honey" - very good for you. Put honey on your
lips to make them extra kissable.

VISIT :-
www.treewright.co.uk
www.dorset cereals.co.uk
www.bodhers.org.uk

BUY Wooden presents this year for Christmas ! !

Why are so many blogs just porn & gambling ? ?

Epping Forest on fire

We had a walk through Epping Forest today - what a beautiful place it is at the moment. Apparently conditions have been perfect this year to give great Autumn colour and the beech trees are definitely going for it. I think it's a few years since it looked so amazing and the sun through the canopy made it look as if it was on fire. Of course it helps that we have had no gales to blow the leaves off.
We headed for Loughton Camp which is an Iron Age hill fort deep within the forest and quite hard to find unless you know the way, which we do. It's full of ancient beech pollards which have formed the most outrageous, twisted and deformed shapes. If you stand long enough staring you can see the sylvan spirits trying to manifest themselves (plenty devils and witches). The only disappointment is that photographs don't do any of it justice - you have to actually be there.

This afternoon I finished off some beaters and started on making a batch of hazel whistles. This is all part of the drive to make new stock ready for the 2 day show this weekend at Woburn Abbey. Sometimes I feel that trying to keep a full stock of the range of items I produce is like the guy trying to keep all his plates spinning on sticks - now and then they fall off but so what?

Kitchen floor

Finally I've managed to take up the floorboards in the kitchen and put down some sheets of chipboard. Its a bummer - half the floor has concrete with no damp course and the other half is boarded and going rotten. I feel as if I have bitten a bit of the bullet. Also we took the fridge and put it outside.
Anthea who lives over the road came over with her two little kids and we identified some different leaves that they had picked up on their travels.

Just when you think its all over - I'm back !

Haven't been able to pick up any broadband lately but all this should change with the advent of our cost cutting package from The Utilitiy Warehouse which includes broadband, free phone calls, cheap gas etc etc. This is via my sister Lizzie so if interested contact me.

Spent most of the week in the garden enjoying the lovely Autumn sunshine and making up stock for Woburn Abbey next weekend. Had a phone call yesterday from a Scots guy who wants to order 4 spurtles after seeing the film of me making them on Dorset Cereals website. During the week we received a big box of Dorset Cereals products as a thank-you for making the website film - might keep us going for most of the winter.

Going out for firework fun and food at Anne & Garys tonight....