3 Fellas Felling Trees

I had the pleasure the other day of watching 3 tree surgeons at work.

We have a piece of public land near the front of our house and recently the high winds caused a lot of damage to the trees in this area.  It was fascinating to watch them work and I managed to snap a view photos.

They had an excellent set up with a £24,000 chipper attached to the back of there van, chipping straight into the back:

While the other guys scrambled up the trees to thin out the branches:

Anyway, 1 cup of coffee, 2 cups of tea and 3 pieces of fruit later, the owner tells me about his love for wood turned objects etc.  Aha! says I, when your finished why don't you pop in to the house and help yourself to a piece or 3.  Much time later, after the guys helped to remove a felled tree in my back garden, chip all the rubbish and generally being very helpful, I gave Craig a few pieces that put a huge smile on his face.  He asks for a pile of my business cards, gives me his mobile number and then precedes to tell me that 'back at the yard' they have approx. 70 tonnes of seasoned wood!!!  He's coming back in a week or so with some 200 year old Cedar of Lebanon, Ash, Beech, Lime etc. 

It felt really great to be bartering in a kind and friendly way, now both I and P1 Tree Services are satisfied and not a mention or a whiff of a penny nor pound in sight!


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New Camera

I recently purchased a Nikon D5000 DSLR.  As I am laid up at the moment I have been spending a lot of time researching the capabilities of this fine camera.  Below are a collection of my first test shots, carried out in macro mode with automatic settings.  No alteration has been conducted on the images and they appear here as a direct upload of the original.

There is so much to learn about this camera but I have taken a range of photographs of different objects, colours and textures.  The images are full size so please click on them and zoom in for fine detail.  I think my first test images are promising:

Thanks for taking the time to check my blog.

moodwood.co.uk

Head Space

It's been almost 3 weeks since I turned a single thing and it's really, really exciting.  The thought of returning to the lathe in a few weeks time is filling me with such excitement.

Although the time away from the lathe and other things has allowed me to find a piece and calm I never thought possible.

Life has a strange way of throwing you a curve ball.  On one hand things are looking so positive and happy for you and then WHAM! Something happens to you that is unexpected.  It could be anything, a lottery win, a death, a phone call, an illness, a surprise breakfast in bed or an innocent smile from a child.

The point is that we all change, from one thing to another at all times.  We are never the same person twice and we must remember that every journey in life is always with your 'self'!

This realisation has given me some wonderful ideas for a series of turned scupltures,  I have gathered my resources and realise I can produce a unique blend of turned sculptural work.  The process is simple like the pieces themselves but they will be contemporary and stylish objects for the current times.

I will make these sculptures collectors pieces, as I believe that a true collector of my work is essential for my development.  Hopefully, when I reveal the collection some one will connect with the pieces and want to 'acquire' them.

Here is a single resource image that has sparked this whole series idea:

Thank you for stopping by.

moodwood.co.uk

A Lovely Surprise

Hi folks,

Received my latest edition of 'Woodturning' and was very happy to see Mark Sangers article at the front, leading the way.  Well done Mark.

Upon flicking through the magazine I reached the 'From the Forum' section and was completely surprised and shocked to see a picture of one of my bowls, it was such a great feeling to be featured in this fine magazine.  I know it's only one picture of a bowl but I am very greatful to Mark Baker and GMC Publications, and it is a cracking bowl too!!! LOL!!!

For those of you who pass by here occasionally then have a look at the featured bowl for yourself:

Many thanks for looking.

moodwood.co.uk

A Day at the Beach

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Playing with Picasa

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Old Growth/New Growth

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