Ok so I still haven't finished my washing-up stand. In fact I haven't touched it all day (except of course to dump stuff on it). However, we now have a large decking area which makes a fab flat area to work on it in some kind of order - particularly as I probably need to take the stand apart and put it back together properly. The most amazing part about the finished decking though is that it will now remain dry.... the shelter has a roof! We have a waterproof "kitchen" and it's simply awesome.There were some scary moments on the roof when all spectators were actually holding their breath watching Flee balance precariously whilst screwing the corrugated roofing down - but he has done an outstanding job. Just the bark roll covering to go on the top to help it blend into the woodland, then the name board to hang along the front and it's done. Then of course us ladies can get to work on the "interior" (namely the wine rack). I'm intending to grow some native climbers like wild honeysuckle and Old man's beard (wild British Clematis) up the support posts and over the top. I have found the honeysuckle in the wood already, so I will take some cuttings and grow it on in pots first before transplanting into position early next year. We are also intending to dig a channel along the back of the roof to collect the rainwater for hand and dish washing etc.
Tracey and I extended the steps down to the fire with three new ones and tried out some different ideas and materials to make the kitchen sideboard from - needless to say there's still some thinking to do on that one.Ant spent most of the day sorting through and sawing up the dead wood into a massive firewood pile ready for the first proper camping weekend and we still managed plenty of coffee time admiring the spring flowers and watching the birds (and bank vole) taking their turns at the peanut feeders.
We also met another neighbour, Jeremy, for the first time today. He owns High Beeches and was out walking with his two dogs when one of them decided to bound right up to Ant and start barking insanely at him! Jeremy came over from his land to the west to have a look around and chat about the recent bout of clay pigeon shooting that he wasn't happy about. Thankfully he now knows it wasn't us.
There is a gathering next Saturday for all the new owners of Blackfold wood, where we will hopefully get some answers and meet the other neighbours as well as receive our share of the venison that has been butchered after the spring deer management work. Seems a shame obviously to lose deer, but we see first hand the damage too many of them can do in a small woodland so it seems justified for the good of the other wildlife.
