I hadn't managed to get outdoors for what felt like ages, so this weekend was a chance to put that right, especially since the rain had all passed over on friday in South Wales.
I meandered over to my site near Usk, with a fairly minimal kit, and after a general wander around enjoying the sun, I got myself set up in a nice spot. I was only using the backpackinglight solo tarp, as I wasn't expecting more than a shower. As it was, I escaped the rain completely.
I got some nice shots of the hammock in the low afternoon sun.
The woodland looks almost jungle-like in this shot.
As the temperature dropped I felt like a hot drink. As happenes sometimes for me the bushbuddy stove didn't really want to light, and I went through a lot of tinder before I got it going properly. I find the bushbuddy can be a bit high-maintenance and attention-seeking. Leave it alone and it goes out very quickly. Given I was using very damp wood due to all the heavy rain, the struggle wasn't that surprising, but I got it going.
I took the opportunity to do some cooking with my cast iron pot (formerly a glue pot), and it did very nicely. Fits on the bushbuddy, and cooked a good portion of rice, to which I added a can of chilli. Lovely.
After that I let the fire go out, went for a walk, and got back as full dark settled. I sat and just listened to the night sounds in the dark for over an hour. There were badgers about, and a tawny owl was in excellent voice. Then I got into the hammock, and slept really well.
Next morning was glorious. The light in through the trees was wonderful, and when i packed up I was greeted with a close encounter with a fox, who didn't seem very bothered and gave me a long stare. Then out into the open to find the first proper frost of the winter, and some valley fog just lifting off as the sun rose.
I went home, and shortly afterwards, Dave53 came by and collected me. We went up to Blaenavon, and up to the Foxhunter car park on the Blorenge (yes, it really does rhyme with orange). The view was stunning, and I'm sure Dave has some excellent photos. We managed a few more pictures from locations in the area, culminating in a brew on Gilwern Hill, near a waterfall that I have shown on here before.
Having some time left, we decided to go up into the Black Mountains, to Grwyne Fawr, and to my surprise we ended up walking up to the dam and back, which was a lot further than I thought we would get.
Dave got to try out his new walking poles and his fancy new hat.
It was great to be outdoors again, and the whole weekend was really enjoyable and relaxing. Thanks very much for the company Dave. We should do it again soon.
I meandered over to my site near Usk, with a fairly minimal kit, and after a general wander around enjoying the sun, I got myself set up in a nice spot. I was only using the backpackinglight solo tarp, as I wasn't expecting more than a shower. As it was, I escaped the rain completely.
I got some nice shots of the hammock in the low afternoon sun.
The woodland looks almost jungle-like in this shot.
As the temperature dropped I felt like a hot drink. As happenes sometimes for me the bushbuddy stove didn't really want to light, and I went through a lot of tinder before I got it going properly. I find the bushbuddy can be a bit high-maintenance and attention-seeking. Leave it alone and it goes out very quickly. Given I was using very damp wood due to all the heavy rain, the struggle wasn't that surprising, but I got it going.
I took the opportunity to do some cooking with my cast iron pot (formerly a glue pot), and it did very nicely. Fits on the bushbuddy, and cooked a good portion of rice, to which I added a can of chilli. Lovely.
After that I let the fire go out, went for a walk, and got back as full dark settled. I sat and just listened to the night sounds in the dark for over an hour. There were badgers about, and a tawny owl was in excellent voice. Then I got into the hammock, and slept really well.
Next morning was glorious. The light in through the trees was wonderful, and when i packed up I was greeted with a close encounter with a fox, who didn't seem very bothered and gave me a long stare. Then out into the open to find the first proper frost of the winter, and some valley fog just lifting off as the sun rose.
I went home, and shortly afterwards, Dave53 came by and collected me. We went up to Blaenavon, and up to the Foxhunter car park on the Blorenge (yes, it really does rhyme with orange). The view was stunning, and I'm sure Dave has some excellent photos. We managed a few more pictures from locations in the area, culminating in a brew on Gilwern Hill, near a waterfall that I have shown on here before.
Having some time left, we decided to go up into the Black Mountains, to Grwyne Fawr, and to my surprise we ended up walking up to the dam and back, which was a lot further than I thought we would get.
Dave got to try out his new walking poles and his fancy new hat.
It was great to be outdoors again, and the whole weekend was really enjoyable and relaxing. Thanks very much for the company Dave. We should do it again soon.
am I doing stuck here 
