Bob, in Britain when trees are cut down like that it's either because of disease, or fear of legal action if a tree fell on somebody or their car. We've had a terrible run of disease affecting ash, larch and horse chestnut in recent years.
Meanwhile we managed a decent hike in the spirit of WNHD on Saturday 29th, just a week or so late. Friday was cloudy and windy but we used it to reccie an 8 mile route in the Norfolk Broads which unusually didn't involve a lot of busy riverbank path. It was very promising so on Saturday we repeated part of it as an out-and-back walk, 6 miles. The weather was near perfect. We were dressed for short parts when near water with boats on, and when we almost met a young farmer on a buggy. Got a few insect bites but that's the price you pay. I estimate I did 5 miles nude and Mrs F did 4.
