First Paddle of the Year Feb 21 2018

We managed to get the sit-ons in the water at last. Launched at Coypool on the high tide. There is just enough headroom under the rail bridge if you laid flat on the canoe. Took an easy run down the Plym past Saltram but not too far. Coffee and cake on the beach, by which time the wind had sprung up and we had to paddle harder on the return journey. Against the outgoing tide and river.
Still a most enjoyable day.

England 46 Italy 15 - Rome Sun 4th Feb 2018

Last Sunday we were fortuneate to watch the Six Nations Rugby in Rome.

The Colliseum at dusk.

The 'Typewriter' as the Italians call it.

St Peter's Square with the Vatican behind.

It was a gorgeous sunny day with a fantastic atmosphere. The morning had been spent yet again wandering this most fantastic ancient city.


The Spanish Steps. So called because in years past the Spanish embassy sat at the top.

As it was a Sunday The Spanish Steps seemed to be the place to visit.

Exiting the Villa Borghese.

This was followed by  a walk through the Villa Borghese gardens and public park.

Jackie knocking back the lager. With Doug and Steve. Girls on tour!

You'd have thought he would have bought an England shirt!

A few quick beers and a light lunch at the Piazza di Popolo. Then on to the match.

Today we were back at 78, in a cold very wet, rainy Plymouth.
Still if the roof holds out and the TV detector van does not catch us we should be OK!

Saluti.

Harkanites Post Xmas Camp out Sun 14 Jan 2018

Reveille was at 0800hrs. I lay there in my sleeping bag. Jackie  was stirring. Off to my left I could see Dave moving about in the gloom. He wandered over and soon had the fire going and the huge black kettle on for a brew. One of the last things we had done last night was to cover the last of the logs with earth, thus sealing in the red hot embers which with a little coaxing soon burst into flames. Maisie emerged from her MSR tent and soon we four stood around drinking tea and coffee.

Jackie with fresh fruit for starters for breakfast.

Dave enjoying the first brew of the day.

Soon we were joined by Mel and Les who had spent the night in their camper van. It was now mid morning and thoughts turned to breakfast. Dave had to 'shoot off' to collect daughter Chloe and 'let the rabbit out' so Mike who was designated duty chef held off on the eggs, bacon, toast and cheesy toast till Dave returned. Tim had arrived. His duties at his Provedore Resto last night had prevented him camping but was now with us. He was the chef during our weeks canoe/camping down the Harkan river. Mike with the skillet on the fire and bacon sizzling was under some degree of pressure here. I felt Tim's eyes scrutinizing me. The scran passed muster I am pleased to say.

I'd worry if I bumped into these guys roaming the woods.

Tim who is an accomplished medieval longbow enthusiast is a great exponent of 100% wool garments and as such has been designing a poncho style garment.  As can be seen from the photo Mike is wearing the long poncho. A watchcoat or Canadian Capote jacket in the style of the 1800's. The long jacket was very heavy but also very warm. Tim is wearing a shorter working style garment. He hopes to put these into production for a niche market. We shall see.

Apart from the wellies Maisie could be an extra out of 'Last of the Mohicans.'

Tim and Maisie chatting. Maisie is never far from her trusty Hultafors axe.

Whilst we had a few more brews of coffee using Tim's new GSI campfire coffee pot.

 https://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/1192-GSI-Outdoors-Glacier-Stainless-Steel-8-Cup-Coffee-Percolator/

Chloe took off with Sam the dog on a few adventures before returning for some more fire lighting practice with dad Dave and Les. Earlier that morning this little angel had been playing in concert with the local orchestra. Never let looks deceive you!

The time was now well on to 1300hrs and all felt the need to return home for a shower and clean kit. Tents were struck and the camp 'policed'. Maisie was thanked once again for organizing all and dates were muted for another camp out soon. A note of thanks must go to The Boss, Jay for permission to use the land. Look him up at www.canoecornwall.org.uk  



Harkanites Post Xmas Camp out Sat 13 Jan 2018

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.

In the wood shed.



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.

Les, looking pensive.



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. 

Les suggested this looked more like 'Away in a manger' that a 'line camp'.

Jackie wrapped up snug in her Ex army blanket that Father Xmas had given her.

Spoilt rotten that girl!

Christmas has come and gone. The weather has been fairly wet and wild and Jackie and I have managed a few walk-abouts. Mostly kept off the higher moor by the wild winds. As Jackie was busy this am I thought I would take myself off for a wander. Nothing too strenuous but as Les and I had been chatting yesterday over another Weatherspoon's Eggs Benedict breakfast about a camp I did last summer with Tim and Peter I thought I would take the opportunity to check it out today.

The met was not good but hey this is Dartmoor in winter. It's never that good in the summer!

Despite appearances it was very windy coming at you from the West. It didn't help out or back it merely kept blowing you sideways.

Looking North. Were off up there somewhere.

An ancient grave. Looking North.

This stream is the path down to the river normally.

Campfire spot 1. No.

Campfire Spot 2. No.

Another view  of 2.

Campfire Spot 3. No.



The usual Camp Fire spot 3.  Sat in a puddle!

I have been sleeping under a poncho in the lee of this wall on and off for more years than I can remember.

Camp Fire Spot 3.

At least I managed to get a fire going for a brew. All natural materials gathered on the way in today.

After an hour playing around and brewing up I headed back South.

Tim's hammock tree.

Far too many right angles. I think I also spotted chisel marks.



Old Man's Beard.



Plenty of fallen dead wood.

Still blowing a hoolie from the West on the return journey.

Windy and cold but a beautiful day for all that.