The klickie sent to me arrived on November 6 from the UK. Whoever sent it went to a lot of trouble, and I hate to keep them waiting for a response.
The klickie came with a background story that the artist must have gone to some pain to research. Before I reproduce the text, let me add that this klickie looks more medieval than any of the customs I have made for myself and fits right in with my forest scene. The attached photos show him posing and also at work. The accompanying dog was a bonus for me--I don't have that style of dog and was looking to ordering one from DS.
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Klickie background (from the text posted with him)
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Watkin the Forester
Watkin is a middle-aged man, employed by his local lord to manage an area of several acres of woodland near the lord's castle. He lives with his dog Odo in a small one room cottage on the edge of the wood.
His primary work is coppicing Hazel, Sweet Chestnut, Oak, Hornbeam, Birch and Beech trees to produce woods used for a huge variety of purposes: tool handles, thatching spars, wicket hurdle fences, and so forth. Larger sawn pieces from older tress are turned on a hand lathe to make wooden bowls and plates. Much coppiced wood goes for charcoal burning, the charcoal then used in the Blacksmith's forge and the potter's kiln.
Being skilled in the use of a small hand hatchet, Watkin lays the hedges on much of the lord's farmlands, a job which has to be repeated, like most coppicing, on a 5-7 year cycle.
His other activities depend on the season, but include the harvesting of edible wild mushrooms, Sweet Chestnuts and Hazel nuts from the trees, which he delivers to the castle kitchens.
He also sets snares for rabbits and other small game, patrolling the woodland daily to check his snares, and using his belt knife to mercifully dispoatch the trapped animal (if the snare did not kill it instantly). He will usually present the complete carcases to the castle's butcher for skinning and dressing, but retains a few for his own stockpot. The furs are used for lining gloves and other clothing for the cold winter months, and the hides used for small leather items like gloves and soft shoes.
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Thanks again! I would have been happy with any type of klickie, but this fit in well with my favorite theme.
-Tim
