I'm Marrying Into Woodchopping Royalty!

When Ashleigh weds Blake later this year, it will be a very Aussie royal wedding

- Dan Proudman

With axe blades shimmering and wood chips flying, you would think there was little chance of romance in the rough and tumble of the woodchopping arena, yet Ashleigh Heath couldn’t help but notice the captivating smile of a young axeman – braces and all.

“I think it was love at first sight for Blake,’’ Ashleigh, 26, giggles.

“He chased me, to be honest. Although he was a man of few words, I must admit I thought he was pretty cute. He had those braces when we first met and he had a lovely little smile.’’

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

And so began a special love story. Ashleigh hails from the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island and Blake Marsh is from Australian woodchopping royalty. Their union has already resulted in a gorgeous baby boy, Harrison, and the couple will marry later this year in what is being called Australia’s woodchopping royal wedding.

And six-month-old Harrison is with them for every swing of the axe, travelling the woodchopping circuit with his besotted parents.

The young family, who are based at Bellbird, outside Cessnock in the NSW Hunter Valley, spent 10 hours in a car with Harrison to compete in a competition in Canberra.