Issue #15 The Miscellaneous Adventures Digest

The sap is rising, a riverside coffee break and woodworking sneak peaks

Happy March and happy first day of meteorological spring! With signs of spring popping up all around, we went to check if the sap is ready to tap in the birches. The sap is definitely up, but not flowing fast enough yet to collect a meaningful amount so we’ll head back in a few days or a week’s time to check again. We are a little out of sync with seasonal flux since moving north but we’re slowly building a mind map of what grows where and when we might find it. One thing we have noticed here is a big disparity in seasonal milestones from place to place; bud burst in one location could be two weeks later in another, depending on elevation or proximity to water or on which side of the mountains for example. Last year we missed several foraging favourites but this year I think we’ll be better settled and thus better placed to take advantage of nature’s bounty. Do you have any plans for early spring favourite foraged treats? Let us know in the comments!

Although we went home without birch sap in our bottles, we did enjoy a peaceful coffee break by the river. There have been otter sightings along this stretch of river but we have yet to see signs of them ourselves; it is hard to take wildlife by surprise with a 6 year old in tow I suppose. We have seen kingfishers here however, along with herons, wagtails, dippers and many other small beasts. This was only the second time we have used our Kelly Kettle but it’s a nice way to get a brew going if you’re near a source of kindling. We rarely make fires outdoors anymore, I’m just not sure the potential environmental damage is worth it, but the Kelly Kettle keeps things contained and uses such a small amount of wood that I think it’s ok when used in the right spot. Emma went for a dip in the river too which means January will be the only month she has missed since starting cold water plunging back in April last year.

We mentioned last week that we have been busy making things. It feels like a long time had passed since I carved anything from green wood. Although I’ve been busy cleaving oak to make fences and gates, carving smaller items from fresh birch or cherry is a different experience altogether so I’m glad to have found some time and a ready supply of materials to get back into it. Working with green wood was really the start of things for Miscellaneous Adventures, as well the beginning of a long and tangled journey into learning about trees, woodlands and indeed the whole of nature. As we forge a new path forward there’s something pleasing about having gone full circle and finding joy in making things again.

Micro shrink pots from birch, some with oak stoppers.

Birch shrink pots with carved sprouting lids.

A small stool made from cleft oak with ash legs.

I think the way we’ll make things moving forward will be dictated by availability of materials and as such items will be seasonal in nature. Right now we have a glut of small birches left over from conservation work which are perfect for small vessels and shrink pots. We are also constrained by where we work too; we no longer have a woodland to make things in or to harvest material from so we’ll see how that informs the process. Some of these things will find their way onto our store very soon, along with other items made from wood and fabric. We plan to always announce new things here first so be sure to subscribe to keep up to date!

That’s all for now. Looks like some colder weather ahead so we hope you manage to get out there and enjoy one final (hopefully!) blast of wintry weather.

Warm wishes as always.

Andrew, Emma and Benji

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