Well the shelter got finished, and here's the final structure:

[URL="http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/Serenfach_photos/?action=view&current=Photo-12.jpg"][IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/Serenfach_photos/th_Photo-12.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I've tried to photograph the opening window at the back but it doesn't show it very clearly. However, here it is:

[URL="http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/Serenfach_photos/?action=view&current=Photo-19.jpg"][IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/Serenfach_photos/th_Photo-19.jpg[/IMG][/URL]...

Well today was the day and I arrived at the forest not so bright but early for the next part of my course. There were 18 of us including instructors and the amount of equipment was immense. However, we all carried our share and after a shorter hike than expected arrived at our site.

Three groups of us took different jobs - my group built a fire circle, pegged the logs etc - others put up tarps (in case it rained which it wasn't ever going to but for the purposes of the course was...

Yesterday we had another cook-out. Amongst the items cooked today were the usual jacket potatoes, bacon, sausage and burgers, but also a stir fry, bananas and strawberries and chocolate. And the usual marshmallows to finish of course.

[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/Serenfach_photos/Photo-15.jpg[/IMG]

Good food all round, and I didn't really feel like doing much after that lunch!! NOTE: We didn't burn the forest down like some individuals suggested we...

Amongst the theorists, planning, procedures and policies we covered today, I managed to get out in the woods for some more fun and games - today with different tool use.

Mission 1: Make a Mallet

I was introduced to a Bill Hook and it's uses as far as splitting wood. Together with a Bow Saw I managed the following, completely from scratch with a bit of an Ash tree:

[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/Serenfach_photos/Photo-145.jpg[/IMG]
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As some of you may be aware, I have embarked on a forestry course. It started on Monday and up until today I really was doubting my decision. I have never been crammed full of so much theory in my life - I'll be writing papers for months! After coming home exhaused last night, head swimming, I was wondering what had hit me.

However, I knew today would be my day - out in the woods all day doing what I do best!

We started soil sampling, analysing flora and fauna and all...