AONB help tidy our woods

We had the pleasure of being graced with the presence of the Nidderdale AONB Conservation Volunteers (many of whom are also part of the Nidderdale AONB walling group too!) on a beautiful sunny day mid September.
We had tasked them with helping clearing some of the newly created pathways around the Druids Plantion, with some Stump grinding and Tree trimming and a bit of general tiding too and they had happily agreed to help where they could. We were told that the number of volunteers varied from activity to activity and of course the volunteer’s availability.
What a surprise to us when early Tuesday morning not a small group of volunteers turn out for a hard days labour but an army! Once the debrief had been given these guys were off with no questions asked and a true spring in their step. They were all in high spirits and had great rapport with each other. After all it was a beautiful dry sunny day and looking at some of the work these guys do, I think I would be more than pleased to have turn up to work and to just be dry!
Throughout the day we kept checking in on them to make sure everyone was alright and they were happy and to deliver some well earned tea and coffee at dinner time. (I am glad I got to deliver it because I tasted the most delicious Flapjack oat cake EVER! Big thanks to Audrey) I have to say the spirit and happy attitude had not waned by the end of the day.
We are now rabbit wire fencing free with trees beautifully trimmed and clear walkways for everyone to enjoy all thanks to the wonderful AONB Conservation group. It was really a pleasure to have them here helping as we have to remember that the AONB Conservation group do this not for any monetary gain but purely out of a love for their surroundings, seeing things are right for everyone’s enjoyment but more importantly for Yorkshires heritage to long continue.
Please check out the great work these guys are doing in our area and if you happen to have a spare Tuesday whether rain or shine I am sure you could lend them a hand.
http://nidderdaleaonb.blogspot.co.uk/

‘the only source of knowledge is experience’
Albert Einstein

Last week I so excited that I got to go on one of our own Foraging courses and I was not disappointed! Chris Bax and his colleague Coco, from www.tastethewIld.co.uk took a small group of us out for the ‘last forage session of the season’. Chris told us that it was quite late in the season for foraging but we may find some small delectable delights to munch on the way round.
We headed out to the Druids Plantation (our woodland) to a spot where there had been a sighting of some ground activity and we were not disappointed! Within the first 15 minutes of our walk we had shouts and cries of ‘found another, can I eat this one’, ‘how about this, what is it?’ ‘there’s another under that tree’. It was brilliant what a start, but then, Oh dear, it’s a Greasy Tough Shank and a Rusty Wood Rotter. Chris and Coco pointed out that the first foray we had found were inedible. Chris on the other hand was very excited and hopeful as were there is good growth there are bound to be some good eaters nearby. He also encouraged us that we should get familiar with the inedible as well as the edible mushrooms that grow in our woods.
A Short venture further into the woods and sure enough, good to Chris’ word, we found a good’un, a Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda) and nearby a Common Puff Ball(Lycoperdon perlatum) and a STINKHORN (Phallus impudicus)! The Blewit was quite large and had a beautiful violet colouring to it but more importantly…this was the first of many to make it onto our dinner plate alongside our little Puff balls. The Stinkhorn also known as Witch’s Egg(and no I am not making these names up) was edible but had passed its best by the time we had found it.
As we walk Chris and Coco just littered us with their endless knowledge of wild flowers and trees, of how generous nature can be if we are careful and take only a little and spread our harvesting too many areas so our impact is minimal. In most cases this considered behaviour can encourage more growth. This way we are living along side, almost with nature in the great cycle of life.
I could have stayed out there all day but we had to return back, though now with a basket with enough foraged food for Mushrooms on toast with a micro salad of Wood sorrel.
After a day like this I think I have to agree with Albert, after all he was seldom wrong.

Tom Copson Kick starts Bivouac Music Evenings

Well I had the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the evening with our good friend Tom Copson the other week. I had the weekend off work but Sarah and I decide we would come along to what was promised as a great evening of friends, food, some amazing music and inevitably a few beers too! It was great to be able to see how this place worked from the other side as a paying customer and what an evening we had!
Tom Copson came to kick off the start of Bivouac Live Music Events and I can safely say what a pleasure it was to be in the presence of this young up and coming musician. I personally had never heard of this musical talent myself but his new album ‘Woven’ is now a regular in the Robinson house hold.
The bar which was being looked after brilliantly by James, Bee and Harriet was busy all night and I have to say I enjoyed sampling the local beers that were in stock. The ancient recipes for ‘Crack Shot’ and ‘Ripon Jewel’ (recipes were found in Ripley Castle and Ripon Cathedral) went down particularly well brewed by Daleside Brewery in Harrogate. There was of course the usual local beers brewed in Masham which need no introduction and went down in equal quantities just as well.
I am looking forward to the next music event with local singer and song writer Roger Davies who sings of his northern upbringing so endearingly. Going from my experience of Bivouacs first event I will most certainly be in attendance!
Roger Davies 28th July 7.30pm

Weekly walk around the Druids woodland

…do you have pre-school aged children?
…want to meet some new people?
…fancy a weekly walk around Druids Temple?
…or perhaps to experience Bivouac’s quirky new café?
…are you free on Fridays?

Sarah and Jo would love to meet you at their friendly and welcoming Toddle Waddle. No need to book – just turn up!

10am at the Bivouac car park for the “Toddle Waddle”  or 12 noon in the Bivouac café for lunch.

We go out in all weather, so bring wellies and waterproofs.

Our first yurt arrived last monday…..

I spent the afternoon helping Kevin from ‘The Really Interesting Tent Company Limited’. I thought I would Share some of the pictures with you!

Foraging to fill the Bivouac Larder!!

The bivouac larder is filling after reaping the rewards of the abundance that autumn foraging has brought. The trees and bushes just keep on giving long into the autumn and as the warmth of summer begins to leave us as the first cold snaps are an ever so prevalent reminder of last winter’s chill. But I know we are on the way to filling the larder store for those long cosy nights relaxing in the warm light of the fire. I am looking ever more now to spicing those evenings up with our wind fallen apple chutney as is jarred up and slowly maturing. There seemed to be a record number of apples this autumn with bags full being exchanged between friends and family of the bivouac.
Another of the autumn favourites of mine, known mainly for its flower petals being used in many different products, is the elderberry. The elderberries make a simple but wonderful cordial packed full of vitamins to help fend off those sniffs and snivels. You can add it as a mixer to any of your drinks be it alcoholic, hot or cold. If it manages to survive lasting the winter through to summer it can be most appreciated simply mixed with water and ice for a real refreshing juice.
I was extra excited this year as my forage for sloe berries not only yielded mass amounts of a bumper sized crop but also some hidden wild plum trees with branches fully laden. Once upon a time I imagine they were part of a managed orchard but now sadly the land has mostly given way to pasture for cattle but these remaining beauties still survive and seem to be thriving. Both the sloes and plums have been added to the bivouac stores as Sloe gin and ‘wild’ plum jam.
I can not wait to sample these free delectable delights that this autumn has thrown up.