It’s a long time since I’ve been up Bardon Hill. The view from the top trig point is always an interesting one. The Leicestershire landscape on one side and then the absolutely colossal quarry hole on the other.

I just started in forestry when the first schemes were being planted. We worked on a number of the early sites. I grew up during the eighties and remember all the active mining. The area has been transformed by the National Forest. More active management is now also taking place that wasn’t before.

💯😂

When I first became self employed about 22 years ago I was involved in a conifer felling site on the neighbouring land at Charnwood Lodge. That work was for Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

I spent a lot of time at Warren Hills as a child. I was born and bought up in Coalville and my grandparents just lived down the road. I’ve not been back for a long time.

Thank you Charlie. The machines are the public face of the business in some ways. I like to look after them and keep them tidy because I think that reflects on the way we also operate in our clients woodlands.

I’m usually positive about Leicester and I didn’t want to think the worst of the players but it is now clear to see that they have not been trying and fighting hard enough for a long time. I don’t really understand why though. How we manage being in division 1 is a complete unknown.

Well, the machine had a wash today all ready for its week at the digger health spa. For saying it’s done 7500 hrs and works every day in an unforgiving environment I think it looks rather well. It’s a testament to the people that built the guarding,

With bird nesting season in full swing and a backlog of forwarding to catch up on, it seems the ideal time for the harvester to have an overhaul. It’s an expensive exercise but I’ve had my moneys worth out of these tracks as they have done 7500 hrs. I will wash it before it goes on Monday.

I completely agree.

Such a highlight.

Subsidisation of red diesel is irrelevant. It’s about costings and business planning. If you plan to grow crops with a fuel budget of 75p/litre and it rises to 1.25/litre, that’s a massive problem when crop margins are tiny. Ultimately it means food and timber costs to the consumer going up.

Such a spring treat. I heard my first nightingales on site last week.

Completely agree.

I completely agree with your observations Philip. It’s a mess and I can’t see how it gets resolved any time soon.

Nightingale calling on my site for the first time this year. They seem to return to exactly the same spot each year. Such a highlight of spring.
You have to have the sound on for this!

Suffolk!

💯

Bluebells on my current work site. Not the full display yet but looking good.

It’s a small world!

I’ve worked in that wood for the WT many times. We had numerous contracts to remove the western red cedar about 25 years ago. Those photos were taken at the top of the wood by the main gates that leads onto the farm track. I’m the one in the middle. 😂 I think I was 19 or 20 when these were taken.

I know it well. I worked in Burley Wood opposite Rutland Water for many years as well as sites at Empingham, and just into Leicestershire at Laude, Tilton and Skeffington. I was bought up in Coalville but also lived near Market Harborough before Suffolk. My Aunt and Uncle live in Stamford.

Roughly, whereabouts in Rutland are you Charlie. I’m a born and bought up Leicestershire lad and before moving to Suffolk worked on numerous sites across Rutland.

I fail to understand how this is a good business decision. Contractors are struggling to make things pay so how are they going to achieve the margins I’m sure they desire, using their own machines and labour?

No need to thank me, it’s a pleasure listening to it. Hoping to catch up on some more chapters today whilst sitting on the forwarder extracting timber. It’s such a refreshing change to read about the people and their roles within the countryside. A subject often forgotten by many “nature” writers.

It really is, isn’t it. I’m listening on audiobook so hoping to get in some more chapters today whilst at work maybe. Although I didn’t grow up on an estate there are strong comparisons with my childhood.

Glad you enjoyed it Charlie.
Yes, I’ve just listened to the first 3 or 4 chapters of this latest one today. Throughly enjoying it. Many of the scenes and situations Rebecca describes I can draw on. It’s made me very reflective this afternoon.

I’ve just started listening to this book on audio. It is brilliant and I thoroughly recommend. As someone who works in forestry, started in farming, from a coal mining area and has worked on estates for the last 25 years, this is so relatable. Thank you @rebeccasmithauthor.bsky.social

I agree with everything you have said but the one negative of ivy is that it creates a sail effect in a winter canopy. Could the ivy have been cut in this instance to reduce the risk of wind throw to a potentially vulnerable specimen?

No problem at all. I hope you enjoy it.