In praise of community woodland

Amid the world's turmoil and strife, it's a fine thing, isn't it, to know that people out there are working hard to manage our environment for the benefit of humans, plant and wildlife (and maybe even dogs!)

On Tuesday this week, Gail and I joined our friends M and J for a walk around Slewdrum Forest, an area of woodland managed by the Birse Community Trust.

To quote from their website, the aim of the trust is:

"...to manage and develop the Forest as a native forest that has varied habitats and high amenity, while also producing a sustainable supply of timber that contributes financially to other activities carried out by BCT on behalf of the local community" 

'Amenity' includes a network of accessible footpaths and tracks, so come on, what are we waiting for, let's go and explore!

We soon arrive at a viewpoint over the valley of the Dee, and I am of course required to 'pose nicely' for a minute or two.

Onwards then down the track...

... until we join the Deeside Way, a long distance footpath/cycle route from Aberdeen to Ballater. At which point Gail makes me wait for our friends to catch up.

Although soon I'm racing on again - the light is fading and I'm anxious to get back to the carpark.

I do love going for walks to new places with M and J. And thank you so much to the good folk of Birse Community Trust for looking after this piece of our land for all to enjoy. 

Oh but I do have one small request. I hope this doesn't sound ungrateful. I noticed that when we all paused for refreshment en route (Gail, M and J had a flask of coffee and some rock cakes, I was given a rawhide and chicken chew to "keep me quiet") there were no picnic benches available for the humans, so they were compelled to perch, rather uncomfortably I thought, on a damp and mossy log. So perhaps the Community Trust might add the odd seat or two to enhance the 'amenity' aspect of their lovely woodland? Just a thought...

Happy Nature Friday friends! I hope that you too have nice places to explore and nice friends to accompany you.