I had a chance to get out and about this weekend ~ something which has been sadly lacking in recent times
. Added to this unexpected opportunity was the extra bonus of visiting a wood I hadnt previously been in
.
The Invite.
The original invite had mentioned a five minute walk to the pitch, so I opted and planned for a somewhat lighter approach than I usually opt for with Meets. It would still be a heavy walk in as the weekends water needed to be carried in.
The Accidental Discovery.
And then I found out that parking was _a whole lot closer_ than Id thought ~ so I opted for a bit of comfort and swapped the kip-mat out for a camp cot and a chair was added to the kit list. The rest of the kit choices stayed the same as Id originally planned on using.
The Senior Moment.
Are you one of those people who are helped with packing? You know Have you got ?, Have you packed ?, Arent you taking ?
I am.
Deadly, isnt it!
Route Planning.
Google Earth is not your friend! Im not very familiar with the sites location so, although I knew its approximate location, I used GE to try to plan the best route. And then, when Id stopped laughing, I dropped a note to my host asking for his advice
Arrival on Site (aka The Importance of Remembering The Seven Ps).
Arrival on site saw me setting up quickly and efficiently ~ because I really needed to make a quick trip home
.
Second Time Lucky.
Having returned to the site and now having the huge advantage of being able to make use of a sleeping bag
. The reason for leaving it behind is down to four reasons ~ a change in routine[SUP]1[/SUP], having packed a second item of similar(ish) size, shape and colour[SUP]2[/SUP], and assuming[SUP]3[/SUP] that everything was as I thought[SUP]4 [/SUP]and lastly, it had been moved because 'It was in the way'.
Had I been travelling out of area I would have had to purchase a replacement ~ the forecast was for cold and low grade damp. And it was reasonably accurate.
[SUP]1[/SUP] My sleeping bag is usually carried inside my pack, this time it was going to be carried strapped to the lid of my pack.
[SUP]2[/SUP] Second item was the water carrier ~ a 20L Swiss water carrier, in essence a big black rubber bag.
[SUP]3[/SUP] Never assume ~ it always makes an bottom out of you and me (an old and sometimes accurate, phrase)
[SUP]4[/SUP] In the words of my first works supervisor Dont think, know! Think gets it wrong. Know has been and checked!
And Relax!
So, having made the unexpected trip home and now having returned with the errant item, I now set about enjoying the ambiance and experience of a new wood.
A couple of pics ~ not many as the camera didnt appreciate the conditions
My set-up for the weekend

Cook kit ~ stove off of the cold damp floor to give the gas a bit of help against the cold. The pan resting on the stove is an old SIGG pan ~ the inverted lid sits securely thanks to its stepped shape

The bit of brew kit missing from the shot above ~ pouch contains a zip-loc bag of DrinkMe Chai

Leather flask, taken for a trial run. Still need to get round to making a proper stopper
.

Full moon on Saturday and no tripod

Thank you to my host for the weekend :notworthy .
In his words 'You told some good jokes. Pity the others missed them!'
It was a one in a life time opportunity ~ and you lot missed it!
And thank you for taking the time to read and look.


The Invite.
The original invite had mentioned a five minute walk to the pitch, so I opted and planned for a somewhat lighter approach than I usually opt for with Meets. It would still be a heavy walk in as the weekends water needed to be carried in.
The Accidental Discovery.
And then I found out that parking was _a whole lot closer_ than Id thought ~ so I opted for a bit of comfort and swapped the kip-mat out for a camp cot and a chair was added to the kit list. The rest of the kit choices stayed the same as Id originally planned on using.
The Senior Moment.
Are you one of those people who are helped with packing? You know Have you got ?, Have you packed ?, Arent you taking ?
I am.
Deadly, isnt it!
Route Planning.
Google Earth is not your friend! Im not very familiar with the sites location so, although I knew its approximate location, I used GE to try to plan the best route. And then, when Id stopped laughing, I dropped a note to my host asking for his advice

Arrival on Site (aka The Importance of Remembering The Seven Ps).
Arrival on site saw me setting up quickly and efficiently ~ because I really needed to make a quick trip home


Second Time Lucky.
Having returned to the site and now having the huge advantage of being able to make use of a sleeping bag



Had I been travelling out of area I would have had to purchase a replacement ~ the forecast was for cold and low grade damp. And it was reasonably accurate.
[SUP]1[/SUP] My sleeping bag is usually carried inside my pack, this time it was going to be carried strapped to the lid of my pack.
[SUP]2[/SUP] Second item was the water carrier ~ a 20L Swiss water carrier, in essence a big black rubber bag.
[SUP]3[/SUP] Never assume ~ it always makes an bottom out of you and me (an old and sometimes accurate, phrase)
[SUP]4[/SUP] In the words of my first works supervisor Dont think, know! Think gets it wrong. Know has been and checked!
And Relax!
So, having made the unexpected trip home and now having returned with the errant item, I now set about enjoying the ambiance and experience of a new wood.
A couple of pics ~ not many as the camera didnt appreciate the conditions

My set-up for the weekend

Cook kit ~ stove off of the cold damp floor to give the gas a bit of help against the cold. The pan resting on the stove is an old SIGG pan ~ the inverted lid sits securely thanks to its stepped shape


The bit of brew kit missing from the shot above ~ pouch contains a zip-loc bag of DrinkMe Chai

Leather flask, taken for a trial run. Still need to get round to making a proper stopper


Full moon on Saturday and no tripod


Thank you to my host for the weekend :notworthy .
In his words 'You told some good jokes. Pity the others missed them!'


And thank you for taking the time to read and look.