Don't Follow A Path, Make Your Own

We've had a bit of a dilemma as to how are we going to get the fire wood from the pine trees at the bottom of the hill, up to the house at the top of the hill. 

Summer 2013/14 we carried some logs up the hill and it just about killed me and I'm not wanting to do that every year, especially as I'm getting older and not younger.

The distance from the bottom of the hill to the top isn't great, but the hill is just steep enough to make it too difficult for any vehicle to safely drive down, and then get back up with a load of fire wood.

So, with a spade in one hand, plenty of stamina, perhaps a little blinded enthusiasm, I started cutting a trail into the side of the hill. Just wide enough for the ride on lawn mower or a quad bike with a trailer to get up an down. 

I started half way up the hill, where it was the steepest. In the background of the above photo, you can see some of the firewood stacks waiting to be moved up the hill.

Above, working my way up... then below, working my way back down...

Even the cows have enjoyed using the track up the hill...

So I've made the track about 1m wide, and I've allowed for a little culvert on the inside of the track to collect any water that comes down the hill, hopefully keeping the track reasonably dry. I just need to purchase a couple drain pipes that will cross under the track to drain away the excess water.

It still needs some finishing touches, as I now need to purchase some gravel to go on the top of the track to provide some grip.

Firstly we're going to try the ride on lawnmower, to see if it can get up and down the track. Getting down, I don't expect any issues, I'm just not sure if it will have the power to get back up the hill with a load. If it can get up easily enough, then we will buy a little ride on lawn mower trailer and use that to get the firewood up the hill.  If that doesn't work, then we will get a quad bike & trailer.

I will post some update pictures, when we have them... of the gravel laid, and of the first drive down & back up.