Maybe I was a dog in a past life

It does make me wonder sometimes. I like to be outside and go for walkies and am always on the lookout for the next stick. Don`t know how I am going to get it home or what to do with it when I get it there, but I want it. Most end up on the fire but some, the special ones get turned into catapults, walking sticks, bowls and spoons.

Cover Photo: Stanley with a large stick. Photo by Dean Edwards

Out and about finding natures treasure

Heading out on one of my ambles, under Cuckoo Bridge and into the great wide open. Was toting a rucksack because, well you just never know what you will find, and pockets are too easily filled up. Soon found what looked like a piece of Elm along one of the tracks, probably been there under the leaves for a couple of years as the bark had decomposed, and had a lovely patina to it, just the sort of thing I like. Stuck out a bit but went into the rucksack. (It would never have fitted into my pocket). Only when I reached Milton Hill and started the climb did I think, “it`s quite heavy, do I really want it? Oh yes, think I do.”

A spoon is born

Nearly dark by the time I made it home, some sore shoulders but the elm branch made it back with me. Had to have a little play with it straight away so cut the manky end off and attacked it with an axe. Soon had a rough spoon shape, was a smallish piece so was going for an eating spoon with character.

After switching to a knife to smooth out the shape, was starting to look like a really nice spoon . Had left the patinated wood as part of the handle and liked the insect tracks where they had been having a munch under the bark. Hollowed out the bowl section with a hooked knife, and was just tidying up the rim of the bowl, when I discovered something had been there and had a party before me.

Disaster strikes

Uncovered a big hole full of sawdust, that`s not good! To cut around that would leave me with a teeny tiny teaspoon, not what I wanted, and the handle would be all wrong.

Had to call it, firewood.

Ah well! Still have most of the large L shaped piece of Elm left, great looking piece of wood and still hope to get a ladle from the crook, and a couple of eating spoons from the back of it, so all is not lost but that will be spoons and stories for another time.