When we Sweden canoe gang met just prior to Xmas we all said we would repeat the exercise again after Xmas. Thus Saturday found The Stopportons and the Dixons RVing at The Punchbowl and Ladle for a light lunch. The weather had been horrendous all morning for the drive down to Truro and the din of the rain hitting the window panes did nothing to encourage us to leave the warmth of the 'inn' and venture out to a cold, wet and muddy woodland campsite. Never the less that's why we were there.
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In the wood shed. |
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Maisie, Jay, Jackie and Dave. Sam, begrudging Dave every mouthful. |
When we arrived Jay, Maisie and Dave were already on site with the kettle boiling. We took advantage of a brew and huddled around the fire for some warmth. The rain was not helping much with the fire and so we soon had erected a poncho above the fire. far enough for it not to burn, with a sensible fire but of sufficient size to keep the rain well away. We could now move around the fire and still keep dry.
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Les, looking pensive. |
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Dave, exercising caution, helping Maisie chop wood with her new Xmas axe. |
As Jay was on site I assumed he would be staying overnight and would naturally as 'The Boss' command the shelter with its hay bale seats and sleeping platform. Alas, he could not stay as he had commitments. Hurrah! That meant Jackie could once again sleep on the bales and I like a faithful hound sleep on the floor at her feet thus protecting her! The alternative was the wood shed. This was an old fallen Oak with an old tarp strung off one side out over a few branches that gave cover to the firewood and allowed it to dry out. I would have needed to move an amount of firewood, divert some water running in via a small ditch and close over a few open ends with my poncho but it would soon be cosy and snug. {In my minds eye anyway.)
The afternoon passed with the others erecting their tents, gathering in more timber, to replace that what we would burn and generally processing wood.
Late afternoon and Mike put on the old catering sized Heinz bean tin to warm up the Mulled wine. This was perhaps the start of the drinking. Jay who had to drive home declined but the two bottles that were warmed by the fire soon disappeared. We all felt warmer inside. Maisie had prepared a pass the parcel game. One rolled a dice and then when it showed 6 you had the parcel to unwrap a layer. Simples! The only slight hinderance was the huge set of welders gloves which you had to put on before you could start to unwrap anything. Once they were on it was impossible. Still that passed another 40 minutes. Simple pleasures in the wilds. Jay could stand no more excitement and took his leave.
The only other form of entertainment was prepping materials for fire lighting the next morning although with sufficient banking the fire should stay in.
Mel and Les had prepped a Thai chicken curry with all the trimmings bhajees, pompadoms, pickle etc. Jackie had bought some of Mr Kiplings which we put on to warm through and Maisie had some wonderful Swedish biscuits that also served as a dessert. Soon the Jura whisky appeared and the remainder of the night till 2230hrs was spent reliving the Harkan River trip in Sweden last August. Ben who was also on that trip was in Norway skiing and Johan was at work tonight. Rich lives somewhere in Norfolk and Steve could not make it either. Still we had a great evening.
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Les suggested this looked more like 'Away in a manger' that a 'line camp'. |
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Jackie wrapped up snug in her Ex army blanket that Father Xmas had given her.Spoilt rotten that girl! |
