Goodness me Eddie. It's a case of being in the right place isn't it. To have access to such wonderful (free) wood and having the space to build such great buildings and objects is not within the experience of us mere DIY mortals
We have to use a bit of expensive warped deal or old pallet wood
Your pictures are certainly inspirational if unattainable.
If you ever need wood for a specific project let me know, as whilst I can't promise anything, its nice to be able to try and help out where I can.
I'm a bit of hoarder when it comes to wood. I'm always pulling bits off the fire where other have thrown them out. The problem is one of time for the sawmill. It takes too long to look through and sort pieces of wood out. You may for example have an 8' long piece of 6"x 1" that has a massive knot across the middle. It can't be sold, and would just get in the way. It doesn't matter to me about the knot, as I would simply use what I could from both sides of it.
My problem is that I just don't know when to stop!
wish I had the ability to make such things, sadly carpentry/joinery is not one of my skills. Pig keeping and butchery are the next skills I want to learn (hence the desire for a big good quality butchers block ).
I bought a lamb a few weeks ago from the farmer where I rent my workshop. I turned up to collect it when the butcher was there, and it bought back happy childhood memories of making my favourite shopping trip to the butchers. I used to love that place, and if I could change jobs, I could quite happily become a meat butcher instead of a wood butcher!
In respect of your butchers block, it is a shame that you weren't closer. I would have bartered some meat as an exchange for making one.
Out of interest, what size would you need?