There’s no denying that life in the treehouse over winter would have been a fairly miserable existence: Life would be dull, I would spend most of the time collecting and cutting wood…pots of elbow grease would be used up without the use of a chainsaw, and the wild larder would be pretty bare. The treehouse itself seems to be holding up rather well bar the odd dribble of water here and there, the wood, devoid of the vivid green of the summer months seems cold and uninviting…
Today I trekked through the snow for an hour or two (the country lanes wouldn’t support anything less than a 4x4) to go and see my old house and spend a bit of time enjoying the absolute muffled silence that comes with a heavy snowfall.
I prepared well and brought the ingredients for the essential cup of warming tea and the axe to split down some wood. When I walked inside the treehouse it looked as though Bertha has been taking the heaviest weathering: the stove top had a thick layer of rust on top, the water bucket (my fire extinguisher if you like) was frozen solid. I chopped some leftover scraps of wood I had stashed underneath the coracle for just such an occasion as this, and fired up bertha for the first time in months. She’s still got it! As the treehouse warmed up to room temperature, I went to the field to fill my billycan with snow to make tea. As I walked back the smoke pouring out of the chimney looked more inviting than ever.
All in all it was a good visit, the treehouse was not really built to last forever, mainly to hold up for the six months I was resident, but it appears I have done rather a fine job! The treehouse is slowly being reabsorbed by the wood, judging by the small black & white dollops of bird crap dotted about the inside, the feathered beings of the wood are pleased with my absence, a cheeky little wren even flew in whilst I was enjoying my cuppa, took one look at me and flew out again.
On my walk home through a brief blizzard, I popped in at the patch…finally my leeks are ready!
Just a quick update, I have now purchased the domain www.huntergathercook.com, so you can leave the typepad bit out, www.thetreehousediaries is, as always, the other option. I hope you are all enjoying the snow, think I might be taking the surfboard out for a spin tomorrow and attempt to make an igloo in between struggling with book proposals and other plans for the year ahead…the next adventure is going to be awesome! Perhaps even better than the treehouse…
Next post I will be whipping out the tarts…pear based with a dangerously strong Eau de Vie sorbet-A rather clever concoction, not many puddings can get you pissed!
Last of all, time for the seasonal comparison:
BRRRRRRR!
Absolutely stunning - what a brilliant winter treat. You are such a lucky git! xxx
Posted by: Diane | January 07, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Awesome post thats more like it. The treehouse has a magical vibe about it. Your book's going to be a roaring success. The last picture is fantastic!!
Posted by: Giles | January 07, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Gosh, what a change...thought it is nice to think of woodland creatures taking shelter in your old home. Still, it is a little sad...It must have brought back a sense of nostalgia coming back. Wonderful to see your leeks though - in the snow! xxx
Posted by: The Curious Cat | January 07, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Touches the romantic side of us all, love it.
Posted by: soupmaker | January 10, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Brilliant! - Glad to hear she's still standing proud. Hope all's well mate. Greg
Posted by: Greg Funnell | January 15, 2010 at 05:57 PM
lookin' good
cold is cold
we got weather here in the States
food is the thing. it's always food
buzz
Posted by: prairiebuzz | February 13, 2010 at 04:28 AM
I have to say it looks fab in the winter I can feel the quiet of the snow....I love the idea of it.
Posted by: Rachel | April 18, 2010 at 10:00 PM
Curious do you own the land that you built your tree house on?
Posted by: Andrew | September 02, 2011 at 10:24 PM
Wow, how cool is that tree house. A perfect get away place and have time to relax.
Posted by: AML | January 12, 2012 at 01:24 PM
What awesome fun you must of had!
Posted by: Tree Surgeons in London | January 19, 2012 at 12:06 PM