Dingy Skipper

Hello Matt Recently read the whole thread. It's a good read. Written in an informative and entertaining style. Well done mate, keep up the good work. Have you thought about writing your own blog. There seems to be all manner of interesting stuff in your posts, and I dare say you could add a shed load more, like maps of locations and stuff about the kit you use. There must be all sorts of other conservation and wildlife groups that would find your work interesting. One thing that strikes me as odd though, I thought that from a ROW point of view if you have, for example, a footpath across your land then it's your responsiblity as the land owner to maintain the path and make sure it's accessible to the public. I didn't see anything about funding in your posts but I get the impression that the county council is shouldering the cost of clearing paths and erecting styles and suchlike on private land. Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Over the years I've stumbled across many a rough camp in Whippendell, usually one man tents, but there are loads of stacks of sticks where the DoE johnnies have knocked up a shelter for the night. Usually it kids in the summer months, but occasionally more iffy types of the Father Jack variety. Over the back of the golf course, on the north slope of Jacotts hill (the top of which is where you were centred around last weekend, by the picnic table) there are some nice quiet spots, and as Nathan suggests loads of places to tie a hammock. Only the curious Muntjac and early morning dog walkers to disturb you, and the badgers if you pitch on one of their paths but they're over the other side of the woods and the sett is so ginormous you'd have to be blind to miss it. There are a few outlying setts but I'm having a hard time working out how active they are. You might have to hang your food in a tree :-) That said that scout camp site does look to be by far the much better option. Nathan it's looking like you've got yourself a new job - Arbtalk Ents Manager.

Well done lads. I mooched along and had a spectate around midday. Good to see you all enjoying Whippendell Woods. Great vid and pics.

Hello all. Google and pulleys brought me here a few months back and I stayed for the splicing, but this thread coaxed me into registering. As a local I'm about 5 minutes from the Lime Avenue so I thought I'd stop by on Saturday to spectate for a while. Also I have a cheeky favour to ask. About 5 minutes walk from the Grove Mill car park, heading along the main path that runs west towards Rouse Barn Lane, there is an old piece of rope tied to a branch overhanging a disused pit. It's used as a swing by local kids in the summer months, but it's been up there a few years now. Would it be too much to ask for someone to wander by and check it out with a view to removing it if possible. I cringe when I see someone swinging on it and it's not doing the tree much good either. Problem is the drop, as it's out over a pit. It is about an 6m drop if the rope breaks. If you're so inclined you might like to checkout the star wars locations on the way - I kid you not. Below is a map with the location of the rope swing marked. Whippendell Woods I've added some other points that you may find useful, the full list is: G - The Grove Mill Lane car park. L - Lime Avenue. R - The Rope Swing. P - Alternative car park in Cassiobury Park. X - Nearest shops with parking - inc small supermarket like a Spar Shop. T - Alternative local shops with parking - with a Spar Shop. S - The Clarendon Arms - the nearest half decent pub. You can mouse over the points on the map for more options, navigate using the buttons below the map, and view more info in the table below the map.