
The fact is, we would love to be able to do that, and a lot of the time we do: I’m hoping to take delivery of a shave-horse and pole-lathe, we use the axe to split small logs and pallets into kindling, we use billhooks when coppicing, and we try and do most of the work ourselves, rather than through contractors. We are off grid, and use solar panels for electricity, and collect rainwater.
The other fact is that we have 20 acres of land, and there are two of us, and we have to make compromises: using a tractor, a quad bike, a 4 x 4 and trailer, chainsaws, water pumps and occasionally, a generator.

So it is that we appear rather industrial in our approach to the woods – we have to use machinery and non-traditional methods to get the job done. We don’t camp out there or hold camp-fires very often because the smoke makes it hard for me to breathe, and the damp affects my chest, not to mention the difficulty of sterilising nebuliser equipment while out in the great wild woods.

But here’s the thing – we still like the traditional way of doing it too. We love and appreciate wildlife as much as anybody. I love the feel of wood, and working it by hand. I love sitting there, with my camera, watching and photographing the birds, and capturing the beauty of the breath-taking landscape, trees, flowers, birds and other creatures on my camera. I love being outdoors. I love doing as much work as my lungs will allow, making myself breathless walking up the slope to the top of the woods. I love the sights, smells and sounds of the woods, the feel of the breeze on my face, and the patter of rain on my jacket, and the sounds of water rushing through the ditch.
So, we are traditional people who manage things in a fairly industrial way sometimes – but we hope the results from this approach justify the means. Without the industrial, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the traditional either.
* Please note, Stephen is not demonstrating the recommended safe method of driving a quad bike!