Dropped
wife, kids and mother off at Birmingham Airport at 4:30 am Sat so was back in Bristol early and having watched the sun coming up knew it was going to be a nice day - thought about driving to Dartmoor to see Ivan and gang (hello all) but then thought about the traffic and decided to stay local, so grabbing the day bag and raiding the fridge set off - took lots of pick, this was my day....
I can drop down into the Frome (river) valley about 1/4 mile from home, this side of the river Council owned and left to go wild, the opposite side is private (more about that later) property
the wild garlic is out and it smells lovely
the river has recently been in flood but is now running at normal levels, the river is easy to cross (if you know where) and looking across the river
you can see (across the river) where i intend to end up later
walking upstream i move away from the main river and follow a stream that feed the river this leads to lovely little bridge, years ago this area was Bristols market garden and this bridge was a well used route being above the river level path that regulary floods)
i cut across country now (then under the M4) and cross the river on a road bridge (can't keep to the main river as you hit private property and houses - i have tried, yes both sides) - this is a good spot/watch king fishers but
a little further on i can get back to the river, where there is some nice woods and some sign that other also visit this area (Kids I think, name that knot?)
a
little further on as i continue north i come to the London to Cardiff main line on a viaduct, next to which is the old quarry (from where they got the stone) this is a nature reserve (badly managed - but i like it that way) again with some signs of bushcraft activity (a bit more mature i think).
this shelter was half alive
nearby i found some pollarded hasell, but the poles were not incorperated in the above shelter?
a bit more looking arround i found them
these were in a position above a Hawk/Owl box - so it looks like someone is making a hide,
picture of box via scope (not very clear i need more practice - but nothing in box yet this year)
time to head back south now as i am hungry (and flask is empty) - i take a more direct route back as i want to get to the private area near where i started.
So now on the other side of the river, this area has been planted (by many generations of) the farming family that owned all the surounding land - this is the only bit they have left (i think) and it is lovely (as you can see) and the sun burnt off the last of the clouds and the day is warming up - good.
anyway things to do; first off - crayfish net bated and in river
then - as i had previously noticed some evidence of deer damage, and this has got worse - (Muntjac, i think, judging by hight?) - i set up the IR camera - picks are - tree being used as a rubbing post, camera attached to tree in back ground, and close up of camera with some camoflarge.
followed by fire then food - one of my forest favorites - spicy chicken, fired onions and rice (chicken is butterflied and spiced at home and onions added, all in one frezer bag , dump in pan, cook, eat).
and finally - after the early start and the 10 or so miles i have walked, i feel the need for a brief rest so string the hammock up and try to have a nap (what do you do with your dogs? do you let them in the hammock with you?)
It 9:30, getting dark so i head for home, I will be back in the morning to check net and collect camera,
on the log next to the fire are growing these - any idea? more importantly is it edible?
on the way home i pass this tree house - nice job, it may be used by the local deer stalker (there is a stalking seat in a tree nearby), ive never seen him (them), but know they are active as have found spent cartridges - it this is you, PM me please i would like to learn more.
The day after - sadly no crayfish (just some mino's and a small cat fish) , or pictures of deer, but got my kit back so am
happy.
if anyone wants to accompany me on future wanderings get in touch
cheers
steve
wife, kids and mother off at Birmingham Airport at 4:30 am Sat so was back in Bristol early and having watched the sun coming up knew it was going to be a nice day - thought about driving to Dartmoor to see Ivan and gang (hello all) but then thought about the traffic and decided to stay local, so grabbing the day bag and raiding the fridge set off - took lots of pick, this was my day....
I can drop down into the Frome (river) valley about 1/4 mile from home, this side of the river Council owned and left to go wild, the opposite side is private (more about that later) property
the wild garlic is out and it smells lovely
the river has recently been in flood but is now running at normal levels, the river is easy to cross (if you know where) and looking across the river
you can see (across the river) where i intend to end up later
walking upstream i move away from the main river and follow a stream that feed the river this leads to lovely little bridge, years ago this area was Bristols market garden and this bridge was a well used route being above the river level path that regulary floods)
i cut across country now (then under the M4) and cross the river on a road bridge (can't keep to the main river as you hit private property and houses - i have tried, yes both sides) - this is a good spot/watch king fishers but
a little further on i can get back to the river, where there is some nice woods and some sign that other also visit this area (Kids I think, name that knot?)
a
little further on as i continue north i come to the London to Cardiff main line on a viaduct, next to which is the old quarry (from where they got the stone) this is a nature reserve (badly managed - but i like it that way) again with some signs of bushcraft activity (a bit more mature i think).
this shelter was half alive
nearby i found some pollarded hasell, but the poles were not incorperated in the above shelter?
a bit more looking arround i found them
these were in a position above a Hawk/Owl box - so it looks like someone is making a hide,
picture of box via scope (not very clear i need more practice - but nothing in box yet this year)
time to head back south now as i am hungry (and flask is empty) - i take a more direct route back as i want to get to the private area near where i started.
So now on the other side of the river, this area has been planted (by many generations of) the farming family that owned all the surounding land - this is the only bit they have left (i think) and it is lovely (as you can see) and the sun burnt off the last of the clouds and the day is warming up - good.
anyway things to do; first off - crayfish net bated and in river
then - as i had previously noticed some evidence of deer damage, and this has got worse - (Muntjac, i think, judging by hight?) - i set up the IR camera - picks are - tree being used as a rubbing post, camera attached to tree in back ground, and close up of camera with some camoflarge.
followed by fire then food - one of my forest favorites - spicy chicken, fired onions and rice (chicken is butterflied and spiced at home and onions added, all in one frezer bag , dump in pan, cook, eat).
and finally - after the early start and the 10 or so miles i have walked, i feel the need for a brief rest so string the hammock up and try to have a nap (what do you do with your dogs? do you let them in the hammock with you?)
It 9:30, getting dark so i head for home, I will be back in the morning to check net and collect camera,
on the log next to the fire are growing these - any idea? more importantly is it edible?
on the way home i pass this tree house - nice job, it may be used by the local deer stalker (there is a stalking seat in a tree nearby), ive never seen him (them), but know they are active as have found spent cartridges - it this is you, PM me please i would like to learn more.
The day after - sadly no crayfish (just some mino's and a small cat fish) , or pictures of deer, but got my kit back so am
happy.
if anyone wants to accompany me on future wanderings get in touch
cheers
steve
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