This weekend was a long time coming: we’d arranged dates twice before but Andy’s previously documented health problem had flared up and put things on the back burner.
Once healthy, Andy was determined to get out for some fresh air. The diaries came out and the date was set.
Now, the shout went out to the usual suspects but everyone else was busy – we hadn’t figured on the bank holiday or other activities taking place...hey ho.
So, we decided to get off early. I’d got a hundred plus miles to Andy’s place but, from there, it was just a short hop into Pettico Wick where we’d have an over-nighter right by the sea.
Last time I visited Andy we went to Lumsdaine – a brill site but a pig of a walk in!
When I got to Andy’s he was champing at the bit; I could tell it had been a while since he’d been let off the lead
We drove down to Pettico Wick jetty and sussed out the site – I’d been promised a short, sharp walk in, and quiet solitude. The walk in was short and sharp, the solitude wasn’t to be so accurate!
View across the bay from car park height
On the mooch around when we got there we walked down the landing jetty for the old lighthouse, as we looked out across the small bay the surface broke and a grey seal appeared with a massive fish in its jaws – could have been a Wrasse; a magical sight and welcome and a real pity that the phone cam didn’t pick it up.
Seal's fishing ground
After a wander round we had a brew and got worked out where we’d get our heads down later on.
Andybysea and brew kit
Big log
Refreshed we set off round the freshwater loch and on to the coastal path to bring us in a big loop back to camp. Time for lunch.
After lunch we did some scrambling round the rocks and searched for crabs and prawns in the beautiful clear water. Had it been a tad warmer I’d have been tempted to get in!! (about 10 degrees warmer that is!)
Andy met his match
!!!
Throughout the morning and into the afternoon it was clear we weren't going to be left alone; from the get go there was a constant new arrival of divers in the bay, a number of peeps risked the dodgy descent to invade - of the three, one threw a beer can in the rocks :aargh4: , one a ciggie tab
, and the other took a pee on our hill
Other than them, we had a dad and his lads come through the camp too.
So, the day passed by. The weather was fab. Company was good; we put the world to rights and some...
As for bushcraft...well, I guess we were camping more than 'crafting. I did have a go at the bow drill but thank god I took a lighter along
Andy whittled a crackin' wood sprite, and we made some stone stacks.
As evening drew in we sorted out our grub and had a beer before heading over the other side of the bay for a chill out and beach fire - there's tons of driftwood over there.
We were treated to a gorgeous sunset and then we scooted back to base for a few more wets and some star gazing to finish off a great day.
Thanks for arranging, recceing and remembering all your equipment and provisions Andy - I wouldn't have survived without your bacon, chorizo and tea!!!
On my way back to Hartlepool I visited Lindisfarne and sneaked another night out of the trip with had a stealth camp in the dunes north of Seahouses.
Me and my stealth noodle
I planned to visit The Farnes but will save it for later in the year as the Terns aren't there in any numbers yet.
We'll be up and at it again in the coming weeks/months if anyone fancies a trip over that way.
Apologies to anyone in Newcastle/Sunderland etc... I didn't spot the post about getting a meet together up on the borders...I had room in the car, I just haven't been on the forum much over the last weeks.
Once healthy, Andy was determined to get out for some fresh air. The diaries came out and the date was set.
Now, the shout went out to the usual suspects but everyone else was busy – we hadn’t figured on the bank holiday or other activities taking place...hey ho.
So, we decided to get off early. I’d got a hundred plus miles to Andy’s place but, from there, it was just a short hop into Pettico Wick where we’d have an over-nighter right by the sea.
Last time I visited Andy we went to Lumsdaine – a brill site but a pig of a walk in!
When I got to Andy’s he was champing at the bit; I could tell it had been a while since he’d been let off the lead
We drove down to Pettico Wick jetty and sussed out the site – I’d been promised a short, sharp walk in, and quiet solitude. The walk in was short and sharp, the solitude wasn’t to be so accurate!
View across the bay from car park height
On the mooch around when we got there we walked down the landing jetty for the old lighthouse, as we looked out across the small bay the surface broke and a grey seal appeared with a massive fish in its jaws – could have been a Wrasse; a magical sight and welcome and a real pity that the phone cam didn’t pick it up.
Seal's fishing ground
After a wander round we had a brew and got worked out where we’d get our heads down later on.
Andybysea and brew kit
Big log
Refreshed we set off round the freshwater loch and on to the coastal path to bring us in a big loop back to camp. Time for lunch.
After lunch we did some scrambling round the rocks and searched for crabs and prawns in the beautiful clear water. Had it been a tad warmer I’d have been tempted to get in!! (about 10 degrees warmer that is!)
Andy met his match
!!!
Throughout the morning and into the afternoon it was clear we weren't going to be left alone; from the get go there was a constant new arrival of divers in the bay, a number of peeps risked the dodgy descent to invade - of the three, one threw a beer can in the rocks :aargh4: , one a ciggie tab
, and the other took a pee on our hill Other than them, we had a dad and his lads come through the camp too.
So, the day passed by. The weather was fab. Company was good; we put the world to rights and some...
As for bushcraft...well, I guess we were camping more than 'crafting. I did have a go at the bow drill but thank god I took a lighter along
Andy whittled a crackin' wood sprite, and we made some stone stacks.As evening drew in we sorted out our grub and had a beer before heading over the other side of the bay for a chill out and beach fire - there's tons of driftwood over there.
We were treated to a gorgeous sunset and then we scooted back to base for a few more wets and some star gazing to finish off a great day.
Thanks for arranging, recceing and remembering all your equipment and provisions Andy - I wouldn't have survived without your bacon, chorizo and tea!!!
On my way back to Hartlepool I visited Lindisfarne and sneaked another night out of the trip with had a stealth camp in the dunes north of Seahouses.
Me and my stealth noodle
I planned to visit The Farnes but will save it for later in the year as the Terns aren't there in any numbers yet.
We'll be up and at it again in the coming weeks/months if anyone fancies a trip over that way.
Apologies to anyone in Newcastle/Sunderland etc... I didn't spot the post about getting a meet together up on the borders...I had room in the car, I just haven't been on the forum much over the last weeks.
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