A much needed night out was needed. A chance to escape, relax and allow the inner self to recharge, reflect on recent events and work out a way forwards. I normally prefer to take the hammock but I was taking my dog out for her first overnighter. I figured it would be easier to keep an eye on her if I took a tent. Plus she makes a great bed warmer and of course company and amusement.
Here is the tent. I believe it is a CVRT crew shelter, the date stamp is 1973. I had to make the rear support poles as it would normally be attached to a vehicle. As soon as it was up the dog made herself at home inside. This was fine by me as it stopped her from wandering off with tent pegs or the mallet in her mouth.
Isla on guard sat inside the tent.
Looking back to base camp.
The shadows began to grow in length so it must be time to fire up the ammo fire box and start getting some food ready. Sausages cooking and browning nicely on the hotplate, watched intently by Isla just out of frame while the foil wrapped baked potatoes cook on the grill to go with the chilli on the coleman stove. Isla had the sausages with her dry food, dogs digestive system with spicy food in an enclosed area? Enough said.
Soon after food was consumed the Sun began to drop and so did the temperature.
Remove the hot plate and grill bars and stoke up the fire. Isla spent a few minutes by the fire and a few minutes away sat staring into the darkness. I am not scared of the dark or the noises nature makes. It was great to be able to sit there and be able to hear and pick out/name the various animal calls and direction. Isla has the advantage with her big ears and used her to back up my idea of direction. All was going well as I sat feeding the fire, staring into the flames. "GGRRRR!" Isla suddenly started to growl at the darkness. I called her but she ignored me but now stood up and so did her hackles!?!? What would you do? Ignore or investigate? I decided to investigate, grabbed my torch and Isla and walked towards the source of her attention. I shone my torch beam in the direction and a set of eyes glinted back at me. I blinked and tried to focus but they were gone with out a sound!?!? I looked at Isla who had already turned round and was heading back to camp.
I put the fire out and turned in for the night. I had to fight Isla to get into the sleeping bag. Once more in the night Isla was growling and snarling in the same direction as before!?!? I turned a torch on tapped her and said that what ever it was, this is their ground and we are the guests so hush up and settle down. I woke the next morning with Isla wrapped up/under the poncho liner snoring loudly. Outside was covered in frost but it soon cleared as the Sun came up. I took Isla for a good walk and play to warm us both up before getting the breakfast on. Isla sat in the Sun and again on watch duty, well watching the fried breakfast coming together.
All to soon it was time to pack up and return to civilisation. One of the biggest thrills is to vacate the area leaving no trace of ever being there. I was hoping to have took more pictures and some video but this trip was more of a personal escape and relax mission. I think I may just have found a new and unspoilt location. A few vehicles went by, a group of dirt bikes but no one stopped or looked in my direction. The two mountain bikers and dog walkers also went by without even a glance.
Here is the tent. I believe it is a CVRT crew shelter, the date stamp is 1973. I had to make the rear support poles as it would normally be attached to a vehicle. As soon as it was up the dog made herself at home inside. This was fine by me as it stopped her from wandering off with tent pegs or the mallet in her mouth.
Isla on guard sat inside the tent.
Looking back to base camp.
The shadows began to grow in length so it must be time to fire up the ammo fire box and start getting some food ready. Sausages cooking and browning nicely on the hotplate, watched intently by Isla just out of frame while the foil wrapped baked potatoes cook on the grill to go with the chilli on the coleman stove. Isla had the sausages with her dry food, dogs digestive system with spicy food in an enclosed area? Enough said.
Soon after food was consumed the Sun began to drop and so did the temperature.
Remove the hot plate and grill bars and stoke up the fire. Isla spent a few minutes by the fire and a few minutes away sat staring into the darkness. I am not scared of the dark or the noises nature makes. It was great to be able to sit there and be able to hear and pick out/name the various animal calls and direction. Isla has the advantage with her big ears and used her to back up my idea of direction. All was going well as I sat feeding the fire, staring into the flames. "GGRRRR!" Isla suddenly started to growl at the darkness. I called her but she ignored me but now stood up and so did her hackles!?!? What would you do? Ignore or investigate? I decided to investigate, grabbed my torch and Isla and walked towards the source of her attention. I shone my torch beam in the direction and a set of eyes glinted back at me. I blinked and tried to focus but they were gone with out a sound!?!? I looked at Isla who had already turned round and was heading back to camp.
I put the fire out and turned in for the night. I had to fight Isla to get into the sleeping bag. Once more in the night Isla was growling and snarling in the same direction as before!?!? I turned a torch on tapped her and said that what ever it was, this is their ground and we are the guests so hush up and settle down. I woke the next morning with Isla wrapped up/under the poncho liner snoring loudly. Outside was covered in frost but it soon cleared as the Sun came up. I took Isla for a good walk and play to warm us both up before getting the breakfast on. Isla sat in the Sun and again on watch duty, well watching the fried breakfast coming together.
All to soon it was time to pack up and return to civilisation. One of the biggest thrills is to vacate the area leaving no trace of ever being there. I was hoping to have took more pictures and some video but this trip was more of a personal escape and relax mission. I think I may just have found a new and unspoilt location. A few vehicles went by, a group of dirt bikes but no one stopped or looked in my direction. The two mountain bikers and dog walkers also went by without even a glance.
