Expedition 324 - Derrydaf, 13/12/14

 

Just before Christmas and I’m never sure if everyone will be out shopping or partying, but we got quite a turnout: Alexander, Isabella, Jamie, JJ and Lexi, with Adam, Fiona, Kathryn and Mairi as helpers and Brambles and Cody as the official dogs.

The day was a bit chilly and wet and most of the explorers set a good pace on the first section of track. I was rather hoping there would be tracks in the snow but we found nothing but the seven pawprints of the dogs. There was some pine marten poo, but that could hardly be called a high point of the expedition.

The first destination was the View Point, which we seemed to reach in record time. The view was rather misty, but Lexi could see Langal all right, although there were no eagles flying, or anything else, that day.

Then we got back onto the main track and slogged on until we reached the old house, which we examined after carefully crossing the rough ground. Everyone looked at the cruck slots where the roof timbers were once placed and we noticed that someone had walled up the door, possibly to keep sheep in before the forest was planted.

Then we crossed into the woods and eventually found the big old oak, which once had an owl box in it. This was generally agreed to be a good place for Tunnock’s wafers, and we all took a rest sitting on an oak branch. There was another branch which provided exciting opportunities for climbing and swinging so some of the wafer energy was expended quite rapidly.

From the oak it was a short climb back to the track and we carried on for a bit hoping to see deer, or mice, or anything, but the rain had started and it became rather depressing, so we turned back early and headed for the cars and the comfort of the Tearoom.

Everyone turned to and diligently drew their impressions of the expedition, I have picked out Alexander’s view of the big oak tree with two explorers heroically positioned in the branch, but if he saw the sun, I’m afraid it escaped me.

John Dye

 







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