Well it was a week and a half later than planned (first Saturday of the month still being the plan) but that was always going to be ok as long as I got out. Even though I was definitely coming out though I was still running really late and come 4 o'clock I still hadn't even packed a bag, and I wanted to find a new spot. Hmmm.
I quickly ran around, diving into the attic to get my sleeping bag back out and just trusted that I'd have the stuff I needed and set off. Daylight wasn't an issue but I was truly exhausted from work and general life. Every step filled me with relaxation (if that's something you can be filled with) though and 20 minutes later as I topped out in the woods I was ready to branch out and find a new spot. I kind of committed myself when packing though... The new DD tarp M from the group buy wouldn't fit between my usual two trees (no spare space with the 3x4.5) so I had to look.
Trundling off into the more dense woodland off any kind of beaten path I found a bit of a clearing amongst the trees, partly formed by the old machine trails from when it was planted up. I've since decided the "must be rabbit droppings, two small to be deer" almost certainly are deer sign, which is quite exciting! Trip to plant a camera trap is planned for my kids. It didn't however get me away from feeling exhausted.
The other problems were, there was a fair covering of brambles, there wasn't anywhere for a fire and I hadn't bothered with a stove (deliberately). The restorative qualities of being in the woods soon kicked in and about 40 minutes of bramble pulling and rock lugging later I felt genuinely refreshed. Isn't it great to feel straight forward tired, not weary, or stressed, just straight tired.
At this point I decided that I really should have a go at an upside down fire. I've seen a couple on YouTube so really, how tricky can it be! Turns out, with some decent dead standing and my now well loved Boreal21 folding saw, it's really quite simple and proved very successful. A good couple of hours later and I had barely touched it. Very satisfying and produced a great bed of coals to cook a couple of burgers on.
The moon had the decency to put on a bit of a show and glow it's way through a couple of clouds long enough for me to try and capture it with my camera. I'm no cameraman or photographer but it still looked beautiful to me.
Stayed up for ages just looking at the fire before another good nights sleep and a quick (actually, prolonged) bacon and mushroom breakfast and more coffee and tea than in decent it was time to pack up. Even the misty damp morning really couldn't dampen my lifted spirits from such a lovely spot. I feel genuinely lucky to have somewhere that feels so remote and secluded a 20 minute walk from my house. Love it.
If you have a few minutes to spare, have a look.
https://youtu.be/uOmz5O-wIIA
I quickly ran around, diving into the attic to get my sleeping bag back out and just trusted that I'd have the stuff I needed and set off. Daylight wasn't an issue but I was truly exhausted from work and general life. Every step filled me with relaxation (if that's something you can be filled with) though and 20 minutes later as I topped out in the woods I was ready to branch out and find a new spot. I kind of committed myself when packing though... The new DD tarp M from the group buy wouldn't fit between my usual two trees (no spare space with the 3x4.5) so I had to look.
Trundling off into the more dense woodland off any kind of beaten path I found a bit of a clearing amongst the trees, partly formed by the old machine trails from when it was planted up. I've since decided the "must be rabbit droppings, two small to be deer" almost certainly are deer sign, which is quite exciting! Trip to plant a camera trap is planned for my kids. It didn't however get me away from feeling exhausted.
The other problems were, there was a fair covering of brambles, there wasn't anywhere for a fire and I hadn't bothered with a stove (deliberately). The restorative qualities of being in the woods soon kicked in and about 40 minutes of bramble pulling and rock lugging later I felt genuinely refreshed. Isn't it great to feel straight forward tired, not weary, or stressed, just straight tired.
At this point I decided that I really should have a go at an upside down fire. I've seen a couple on YouTube so really, how tricky can it be! Turns out, with some decent dead standing and my now well loved Boreal21 folding saw, it's really quite simple and proved very successful. A good couple of hours later and I had barely touched it. Very satisfying and produced a great bed of coals to cook a couple of burgers on.
The moon had the decency to put on a bit of a show and glow it's way through a couple of clouds long enough for me to try and capture it with my camera. I'm no cameraman or photographer but it still looked beautiful to me.
Stayed up for ages just looking at the fire before another good nights sleep and a quick (actually, prolonged) bacon and mushroom breakfast and more coffee and tea than in decent it was time to pack up. Even the misty damp morning really couldn't dampen my lifted spirits from such a lovely spot. I feel genuinely lucky to have somewhere that feels so remote and secluded a 20 minute walk from my house. Love it.
If you have a few minutes to spare, have a look.
https://youtu.be/uOmz5O-wIIA
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