Christmas Tree

We've revived the Christmas Day walk in Epping Forest after a gap of a couple of years.
We decided to look for the Lost Pond which we actually found really easily - then we got LOST ! It was quite exciting - we thought we knew the forest so well . . .

We also found a recent fire site where loads of birch had been cut. I just about managed to get it going again but forgot to take a photo.

Merry Christmas to all my Readers.

Hello

As you will no doubt have noticed, nothing has been happening here lately. There are several reasons for this :-

• A general loss of interest in technology, computers, internet etc
• Being ill
• Nothing worth writing about has happened in the last month !

On Wednesday evening I went to the last meet of the year of the E.Herts Woodturners with my mate Bill Monroe. Five weeks ago Bill had a heart attack and had eight stents inserted - he looks really well on it.
Many sausage rolls and mince pies were munched. A big lump of oak was put on the lathe and folk could have a go at helping turn it into a big bowl.

Yesterday went down to Faversham to see my Dad & Velma. Had a great lunch at The Three Mariners at Oare. In the afternoon Frances, my little sister, came round and we all had a good chat and a laugh. My Dad had some bad news - he is going to have an op to remove some of his liver as they have found some cancer cells there . . .

Wasted timber

We were walking through a part of Epping Forest this morning called Strawberry Plain.

The Tree Spirit of this mad, old Hornbeam was not amused to see . . .


. . . oak trees which had been cut down by one of the Forest gangs and left to rot where they've fallen.


That's the thing that really pisses me off about the way the Forest is managed.

No real reason for the trees to be cut down in the first place.

They call it "biomass" - I call it a wanton waste.

Acker Bilk

. . .

This evening we went to see Digby Fairweather talking with Acker Bilk at the Methodist Church in Loughton. This was organised by David Nathan who runs the National Jazz Archive based at Loughton Library.

Acker was the first British artist to have a No.1 hit in England and America with the lovely tune "Jenny" a.k.a "Stranger on the Shore" - it was great to hear his reminiscences and stories.
Another great tune to check out is his version of "Burgundy Street Blues"

Unfortunately Acker had a chest cold and had travelled over 3 hours from Somerset so he was a bit croaky.

THEN . . . suddenly halfway through the second half the old lady sitting in front of us suddenly had some kind of fit or seizure and I had to try and help her husband and others to drag her out of the hall. Then he wouldn't let us call an ambulance !

It was a strange and upsetting end to an interesting evening

. . .

Surreal Day - from Camden Market to Christmas Dinner

A day of big contrasts yesterday.

Firstly Vanessa had another appointment at University College Hospital to see her specialist physiotherapist. Then as we were quite close, caught the 24 bus to Camden Market.

It's bigger and madder than I remember it from about 20 years ago - a punky-hippy-goth haven.






Then in the evening we attended the East Herts Woodturner's Annual Christmas Dinner at Sawbridgeworth Cricket Club. Apart from the fact that it felt strange eating a Christmas Dinner in the middle of November the food was terrible - a cross between old style school dinners and hospital meals.

At least the company was of good cheer and Vanessa won 4 pints of Theakston's Old Peculier in the raffle !

Woodland Wondering . . .

Why we are here . . ?

Our camp in Shenley Woods, picture taken around 11am just before the rain, drizzle etc which kept up most of the rest of the day. At least it wasn't windy as well . . .

Woodland Wonders

Tomorrow is our penultimate event of the year - Woodland Wonders - organised by the Parks Trust at Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes.

Why not drop in and say hello if you're in the area ?