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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