YOU won’t have failed to notice that it’s pretty hard to find anywhere to get some grub out in the woods. So, until the day Just Eat (other fast-food delivery services are available) extends its services to the forest, operators will have to make do with whatever they can provide themselves.
But, what can you make when spending most of the waking day inside a phone box-sized office, which isn’t exactly up to Michelin Star spec?
Trying to provide the answer last month on the Forest Machine Operators Blog was one member, who had some advice for his fellow forestry workers.
He wrote: “Ever tried to fell a tree on an empty stomach? Not the best idea, right? As a busy forestry worker, it’s critical to fuel your body correctly! Here’s your ultimate guide to survival in the woods – nutrition edition ...
“For mealtime, think quick, nutritious, and easy. Try:
1. Overnight oats with fruits
2. Chicken salad wraps
3. Protein-packed yoghurt pots
4. Tinned fish with cherry tomatoes
5. Boiled eggs with spinach
“Snacking? Go for energy-boosting options:
1. Almonds and dried fruits
2. Peanut butter on whole grain crackers
3. Greek yoghurt with honey and granola
“And remember, hydration is your secret weapon. Keep a refillable water bottle at hand and take regular sips throughout the day.
“Feed yourself like a king, fell those trees like a pro. Your body will thank you!”
While it all sounds delicious – who doesn’t enjoy Greek yoghurt with honey? – it’s not the kind of food you immediately think of when you picture mud-caked loggers stopping for tea. Instead, we’re seeing something a little greasier, and members didn’t waste any time in suggesting their diet was a little less nutritional.
Take this response: “You girls of today. Should have tried it in the ’80s and ’90s when it was piecework. Still a big drinking culture back then. Pub after work. Food would contain block of cheese in between a loaf.”
Or this one: “Makes you wonder how them old cutters managed, especially in wartime when Greek yoghurt and granola was in short supply?”
To this, the original poster had the perfect response. “f I have time over the weekend, I’ll do you a special ‘wartime’ edition. Not sure today’s generation will be too keen on mutton and potatoes at every meal like yourself though.” No, we don’t think that will catch on anytime soon.
“Wonder how we all survived up to now, seems like rabbit food on the brain to me,” is how another sceptical member responded.
In fact, it sounds an awful lot like we wouldn’t like to be invited round for tea by the UK’s operators, judging by their meals of choice. Examples included:
“Pint of water, two coffees, six smokes. Keeps me good from 6 am to 10 am.”
“Red Bull and nicotine. Eat when you come home.”
“Tuna and fruit cocktail.”
“Red Bull and pop tarts. And I’m good for a 14-hour shift.”
“Three Shredded Wheats ... man is ready to roll.”
“Pack of Fosters and pork scratchings the night before, and flaming hot Monster Munch for crib; you’ll be grand.”
“Cold left-over pizza and a can of Irn Bru powers me through.”
Okay, that last one actually does sound delicious, and far be it from us to ever reject the chance to enjoy a can of Scotland’s other national drink. But the conversation did provide plenty of interesting discussion about just what operators can eat who need a little bit more than sugar and cigarettes to get through the day.
“When on the saw, every time you refuel the saw, you must refuel yourself,” is how one member put it. “Robinsons Orange Barely water was my secret weapon. Probably two or three litres a day.”
Another seemed to be on a similar page to the original poster.
“My ‘go to’ snacks: walnuts, watermelon/melon chunks, banana and apples.”
Is anyone else hungry? Grab yourself a quick snack, and we’ll move on.
What benefits do you expect as an operator? Time spent in the great outdoors? The chance to get behind the controls of some world-class machinery? Delicious food? (Okay, that’s the last of that.)
According to one thread on the blog last month, more and more contractors are supplying their operators with much-welcomed perks.
One member wrote: “I’m seeing a lot more contractors supplying vans/pickups and caravan these days. Personally never had this but I’m guessing it’s a pro to having less outgoing cost, or is there a drop in wage somewhere along the line?”
Members came back with some interesting responses. We especially liked this first one:
“Good reliable staff are hard to come by these days. So, companies are looking after them and it reflects in the output.”
A further reply provided a little bit more context to the trend.
“Price of vans has gone up at least 30 per cent in the last four years while wage rates have stayed the same. Also interest rates are higher now for people who finance their vehicles.
“So, now perhaps full-time employment £X/HR + van + fuel allowance + holiday pay + pension may be more desirable.
“Also more contractors seem to be offering positions with vehicles supplied.”
Others agreed with the poster that they had seen similar.
“Contractor I used to handcut for managed to get hold of a caravan for me and made a huge difference not having to commute for two hours either way. Makes a big difference having dry clothes, warm food and drink and somewhere to wash readily available.”
“Seen a company this morning with two spanking pickups, a massive new caravan and a new chipper in tow. Only thought of the morning was that I wish I’d got the number!”
Predictably, there was some pushback from one or two members who preferred times gone by (see our chat about the food and you’ll get the idea). But one member summed it up perfectly.
“Times change. I think it’s great that some firms are taking better care of the people who work for them. I remember when I had to live in my Land Rover and cook over a five-gallon can full of deadwood.”
We shudder to think just what was being cooked over that deadwood.
We’ll end by asking a question on behalf of one operator, who wrote: “It’s that time of year when you’re standing in water and mud again and think, ‘I’ve had the best out these boots.’”
So, any suggestions for new ones?
Head on over to the Forest Machine Operators Blog on Facebook to have you say.
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