Today Dolly and I introduced Diogo to the fenland landscape.
We went to just out side of Newton in the Isle for a walk I used to do regularly with the wolf pack. This one saw us doing a there and back to the North Level Main Drain. It ended up being about 1.5 miles in total.
This is the furthest Diogo has been on a walk since arriving in the UK.
Although the sun was out there was still a bit of a chill.
While Dolly was off the lead, a trust she has learnt. Diogo has not got to that point yet and was kept on his lead. He did get a bit longer on it than normal because I used Dolly’s lead as an extension.
Although I did my best to avoid other dogs, and the inevitable barking in excitement from Diogo. I wasn’t 100 percent able to avoid that situation though.
But I am trying to get to a point using calming dog treats (I’m very sceptical about these but time will tell). I’ve also contacted a dog trainer but had no reply yet. But then again it is the Christmas period and they could be taking the time off. I’ll give them until middle of next week before looking for another.
In the meantime Dolly and I need to build Diogo up so he can do the longer walks.
The annoying thing about walking at Whitehills Wood is getting into the car park.
There is no signage to indicate where you turn in.
You are literally right on top of the entrance before you see it.
Which means you are breaking hard.
I always feel like I’m a fighter pilot landing on an aircraft carrier pulling into this car park.
And the entrance itself is rather bumpy if I’m being generous. So a bumpy landing so to speak.
After a spell of colder weather, the last day or two had been quite mild. Today was no different continuing the weather trend.
I’m not a weather forecaster, but personal experience tells me after the weekend we will get a few days of damper weather. Saturday will see a few fireworks going off. And that usually affects the weather. It’s all the sulphur or whatever they put in the fireworks entering the atmosphere.
We had barely started our walk when I saw a muntjac wander into the path ahead, notice us, and return the way they’d come.
It wasn’t long into our walk that I was removing my shemagh because I was getting too hot.
I loved the contrast between the deciduous trees of this wood and the coniferous trees at this time of year as we made our way round the walk. The autumnal shades of browns, fading greens. At one point leaves were falling like a light shower.
Crime scene. We have an alibiPolish Army Bread Bag, Pathfinder Canteen Trail Set in a Valtcan Canteen Pouch Carrying CaseGimme more jerky!Our brew spot
We found a quiet spot not far from the main path to have our brew and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Today’s brew was made using the titanium version of the G2 Firebox Nano. I’d bought it with the X-Case kit, flame guard, leather case, and grill (not pictured).
I’d bought the Nano with the X-Case kit because it provides more stability for the Nano, and acts as an ash tray. Whilst also providing a cool storage case for the stove.
Yes I have to admit having the stove in a rather cool, luxurious leather case does undo the weight advantage of having the titanium version of the stove.
X-Case, titanium flame guardNano sticks, Carbon felt pad and L-pins from the X-CasePathfinder nesting cup with lid, Sea to Summit X Collapsible Silicone Mug, high temperature soldering matLeather case for the NanoG2 Firebox Nano (titanium edition)
The carbon felt pad that comes with the X-Case is intended to be used as a windshield. However there was no breeze today. But I don’t think I’d use it that way. I have my foil windscreen in my cook kit that I’d use instead. I’m more likely to use the felt pad to help insulate the X-Case and stove from the ground to stop any heat transfer, and leaving any nasty marks on the ground. It’s why I have the high temperature soldering mat in the bag. This soldering mat is a perfect size for this stove or the next mystery stove I will be using. Or even meths stoves like the Trangia.
I also have a Forest Fundamentals Artisan Fire Mat with me. Which too can be used to protect the ground from a stove. But it can also be used for sitting or kneeling on, bushcrafty stuff, starting fires. I just need to find a way to attach it to the Polish Army Bread Bag so it’s not flapping around.
The stove is lightning fast to set up. And it should be because it’s a folding stove. No having to assemble the stove before use. It pops open. Literally. It took me longer to get into the X-Case. Which by the way I find a bit stiff to open.
Today I used a bic lighter to start the fire with birch bark.
I was taken aback by just how little wood I used to boil my water for a brew.
The flame guard was amazing. I was able to lift the nesting cup from the stove without using my leather glove. It worked as advertised. It also provides a bit of wind protection if needed.
Feeding in wood via the two holes at the bottom of the stove was pretty cool. It allowed me to use the longer lengths of “processed” kindling I had with me.
Once the flames were out, and I had emptied the ash on to the X-Case the stove cooled down pretty fast.
Being a proponent of leave no trace I left no scorch marks, carried my ash and waste out with me.
The stove in the X-Case packs down quite small. Would easily fit in a pocket. Obviously the leather case (not needed) does make it a bit bulkier. But it’s so cool.
I really like this stove. I’ve yet to try it with the Trangia. Maybe next time. I want to get the Wood Flame Gas Burner & Ti Ember Glow Diffuser to try with it. I didn’t get the solid fuel plate for it. I should for completeness. However it’s not a fuel type I’d plan to use with it. I think meths or gas would be it.
Has this stove replaced the Bushbuddy for me?I’m thinking it just might have!
After our brew stop we continued our circular walk making our way back to the car.
Although there seemed to be much more up than we had done down.
Dolly and I did try to get a walk in at Shouldham Warren. However that was a blow out. We got there to find that the car park, and the woods were closed. Later at home I was able to find out on a council discussion thread that it has been closed since September, and due to reopen on 5th November. Apparently the Forestry Commission is doing some tree thinning. The public are allowed access after 5pm each day.
Dolly and I will return once Shouldham Warren is reopened.
But that left us needing to find a spot to have a walk.
On our drive back across the fenland landscape we were looking for a suitable spot to stop.
In the end we ended up walking along a section of Middle Level Main Drain.
Wearing the USGI poncho Middle Level Main Drain
Our walk was windy, and as we made our way along the drains embankment we started to feel specks of rain as we caught up with a shower moving across the fenland landscape.
On the opposite embankment was a fisherman sheltering under his large fishing umbrella.
Once back at the car the geese we had seen earlier swimming on the drain were now on the opposite embankment.
As an impromptu walk under the circumstances it was ok.
Dolly and NicoSome cute Dolly photos
But that walk was a couple of days back.
Today Dolly and I ended up at Sutton Bridge and walking along the sea defences leading towards the RAF target range, and forming part of the King Charles III coastal path.
Some work is going on here but not sure whatEgretThe mud flats of the Wash.
It was a windy there and back walk. With the wind mainly behind us as we walked away from the car, and then almost head on as we returned.
As we got closer to the car we were approached by a man asking if we had seen a black dog. His dog had managed to run off whilst walking it. Sadly he was the first person we had seen on our walk. And we had definitely not seen a black dog.
Back at the car we wished him luck finding his dog. On our drive back we went a little slower keeping an eye out over the ploughed fields for any sign of the dog.
I hadn’t done this side of the Wash since the wolf pack days. It was nice to return to this spot.
Storm Benjamin has been and gone. Once again despite being in the yellow warning zone our eastily location protected us from the worst of Storm Ben.
It was time once more for Dolly and me to stretch our legs on something a bit longer than our usually daily walks.
Our walk today was a return to Dersingham Bog. A walk Dolly and I hadn’t done since earlier in the year when we came here for the charity walks we did.
As you can see from the photos there were blue skies, the sun breaking through the clouds. What the photos can’t show is the wind adding a chill to walk.
“Hurry up and get the jerky out.“, Forest Fundamentals™ Artisan Fire Mat, 80’s Polish Army Canvas Webbing Bread Bag SatchelIf I watch it will it boil faster?Dersingham BogEnjoying a brew
Thanks to the sandy soil, although we didn’t see any deer, we saw signs that they had been there as we walked round. Mainly thanks to their hoof prints still detectable amongst those of walkers, dogs, and horses.
I love spotting the fungi this time of year. There seemed to be a wider variety here than at the woods of Roydon Common.
Southern BracketThe fungi spotted (I’ll update once I’ve identified them)
We did find a brew spot under a tree. However it wasn’t ideal. But then again the side we were walking along of the bog had no real spots that gave any protection from the wind.
This meant lighting the alcohol stove with my lighter was challenging. It meant I had to resort to my fire starting kit and using the wick and bellows to get the stove to ignite.
After boiling water for a brew, I put more water on to make lunch with.
Today was a bit of recipe development for a project I have started. So I’m not going into detail here you’ll find that when the project gets announced. However I was rather pleased how this first attempt at a Japanese inspired/style curry ended up. If I had one critique then it would be that the prawns could have done with slightly longer rehydrating.
I have a couple more recipes I need to work on/try for this project. I’ll be trying these on future walks.
Speedster 30ml Spill Proof Meths/Alcohol Burner Gold, BCB Crusader Cooker Mk1 Pathfinder 25oz Stainless Steel Nesting Cup with Lid and Bat-Wing handlesJapanese inspired curryFolding chefs knife, plastic spatula, collapsible folding ladle, Boundless Voyage titanium long tweezersLightweight chopping board, foil windscreen Long handled titanium spork, Sea to Summit Delta Long-Handled Spoon, titanium chopsticks ,Lifeventure Superlight Titanium Spork with Serrated Cutting Edge, Boundless Voyage Titanium SpoonThe freeze dried vegetables for the curry.
A part from recipes to try I have a backlog of stoves and pots I want to use on the walks. One of these is the Serotonin Firefly Mini Stove. This is a wood burning stove that packs away to a small size. It’s also most likely to be the one I take out next time.
The Pathfinder cup worked well with the BCB Crusader mk1 cooker, as did the Speedster stove.
This was a chilly but chilled! walk back in nature. Just what the doctor ordered.
So after what can best be described as a relaxed start to the day, Dolly and I made off for destinations unknown.
Well I had possibilities. A return to Roydon Common? Maybe the coast? If the coast where? Heacham or Holkham?
Eventually as we drove round Kings Lynn a decision was made.
Apple Maps was instructed to guide us to Holkham beach.
The last time I was on Holkham beach it was with Strider, over a decade ago.
It was when Strider and I spent the night on the beach. The morning was magical. I took my favourite photo of Strider (see above) as the glow of the dawn sun began to start warming us up.
Since that magical time with Strider I have not been back.
But yesterday was about Dolly and introducing her to this beautiful piece of the Norfolk coast.
After leaving the car park and crossing into this national nature reserve Dolly was off the lead.
We followed the path that put the woodland between us and the beach.
Dolly was amazing off the lead. Even when there were other dogs.
It’s rude not to shareDolly discovers ice creamSigns of eco vandalism aka bushcraftingWhy we can’t have nice thingsDecision timeZZTop mode
We walked about a mile, which took us to the second hide, and the farthest edge of the woods, before we followed the path to the beach.
It was rather windy on the beach. A complete contrast to the sheltered path we had just come from.
We walked towards the sea. Which was out. Way way out.
We didn’t make it to the sea, maybe three quarters of the way before heading back.
But Dolly did really enjoy being on the sand.
There was no way we were going to walk along the beach into a head wind back to the car.
Instead we used the woodland to give us shelter from the wind a provide a rest spot.
While Dolly topped up on water and beef jerky. I too had water (no fires – Kelly kettle out, or camping stoves allowed to protect the nature reserve), and cheese and biscuits.
After that brief stop we followed the some of the many paths that cut through the woodland. The majority spanning the width of the woodland connecting the beach and dunes with the path on the opposite side.
Back at the car park we dropped our stuff off at the car and made our way the very short distance back to the ice cream van. Where I bought Dolly and myself an ice cream.
Dolly was unsure about her ice cream to start with. But she soon over came that uncertainty and decided she really liked it.
On our drive home on the road boarding the Holkham hall estate I saw a massive red kite. Such a beautiful buzzard.
As I was throwing stuff together for todays walk a shower hit. This was the turn for the worse I was expecting for the week.
It was definitely feeling a bit chillier.
But the cold and rain were not going to put me (or Dolly) off going on our walk.
By the time we hit the A47 I’d decided our destination would be back to the woodlands at Roydon Common.
Dolly was off lead for the majority of this walk, and she was really well behaved.
We explored a couple of side paths.
Which gave me a better picture of the woods. I collected a little birch bark to use as tinder.
Some of which I used to start the fire in today’s stove. Oh the stove I was using was the Kelly Kettle Trekker.
Part of these brew stops is getting Dolly used to being off lead, not wandering off, and chilling out.
I enjoyed using the Kelly Kettle. Well playing with fire (responsibly) is fun.
I didn’t mess around I used my bic lighter to start the fire. The wood I was using was some kindling I bought recently from a petrol station. Plus some twigs I’d gathered over 10 years ago!
Dolly is really sure now that she likes beef jerky! As if there was any doubt. But the jerky does make a nice treat for her during our brew stop. Plus I can have a bit too.
We had been very lucky with the weather because our walk and brew stops had no sign of rain. In fact there was some hint of the sun breaking through and blue skies!
In our wandering some of the paths we followed were definitely deer paths. I even saw a Muntjac ahead of us at one point. One such path revealed what was a “pond” that was obviously a source of water for the local wildlife. Surprisingly it was close to the actual main path, but not visible from that path.
Well just like politics a day in my life can be a long time, and things change.
The next session arranged for Saturday has had to be cancelled due to a union work thing that has cropped up.
However it looks like it may go ahead Monday (currently my day off!) evening instead. I’m still on lates next week, so I don’t have to worry about getting up for a damn early start the next morning.
So there is a silver lining to this cloud.
It would appear that soon (next payday) I will be jumping into the lcg from FFG, Marvel Champions.
Hence the new little icon thingy I’ve done.
I did enjoy the game when I did the “try before you buy” game with Gavin. And it is his copy with expansions I’m buying.
I also think this is a game I can play with Nathan that I’m pretty sure he will enjoy. I’m not sure I’ve played a co-op game with Nath. But I know just from the theme alone he will love it. And I’m excited that I will be able to play this with him.
Buying Marvel Champions does boot into the distance any decision I was going to make about getting into another FFG lcg The Lord of the Rings Card Game. Which does also appeal to me on theme alone.
We know I like the idea of solo gaming, and when I see a game can be played solo it does help sell the game to me. But when it comes to actual reality I very rarely play a game solo. I think I can count on one hand the games I’ve played solo. So I’ll never (ok I know never say never) play Marvel Champions solo.
Another given is in the coming months once Marvel Champions has joined my collection I will be catching up with the expansions I don’t have. It’s that whole Pokémon “got to catch ‘em all” thing.
Bugger they also have playmats for the game. And we know how I am about playmats.
I better order in a lot of sleeves. I usually go Mayday Premium with boardgames. But this technically is a card game so I may fall back to my other preferred brand Dragon Shield Matt sleeves. The ones I use for playing MtG.
Before I look for players willing to commit to playing the campaign version of Gloom, The Gloom Chronicles, I need to get the two expansions that I currently do not own.
Obviously The Gloom Chronicles uses the core game. But it also needs Unfortunate Expeditions, Unquiet Dead (need to get), Gloomier: A Night at Hemlock Hall, Unhappy Homes (need to get), and Unwelcome Guests.
It’s a twenty game campaign. It should be possible to play multiple games a session. I don’t see it being much of a commitment, three or four sessions at most.
I’m very intrigued how Gloom plays as a campaign. It’s a story based game. Well technically if players are not into the story side can be played as just a card game. I know other games like Scythe, Pandemic, etc have campaigns that are tied together by an over all story. But that’s a story written by the designer. Gloom is a different animal altogether. The storytelling is part of the game.
I definitely want to get Gloom to the table sooner than later for sure. Especially around the end of the month. I don’t do Halloween but if that isn’t the time to at least play the game once I don’t know when is.
The September monthly stats will go live on the last day of the month. I suppose they could have gone live now. It’s not as if I will have played any more games before October starts.
Being one of those glass half empty doom merchants I don’t think October will be a massive month for playing games.
October starts at the weekend with a D&D session. But after that my next bit of gaming will be the following Friday with the next Fenland Gamers session.
My next day off is a Monday when our hosts are not open. Plus I’ve not had much luck getting others interested in gaming on days I’m off. So even if they were open I don’t think I’d find others to game with.
That’s the drawback of my current job with my shifting days off during the week.
So far I’ve been lucky that I can make the Friday evening sessions.
It also makes it harder to arrange things. I should know three weeks in advance what my rota is. But at the moment I know what I’m working up to the end of next week and that’s it. I’m on lates for this and next week. Which I like working.
I do have a weeks holiday next month as well. I’m hoping to visit Nathan then. So that will be quality time together gaming.
But for the next five months I do have a week off each month, as until that week off I’ve only had one days holiday this year.
I was watching The Dice Tower Autumn Spectacular – Top 10 Horror Games last night.
It reminded me although I own them I still haven’t got Fury of Dracula nor Ghost Stories to the table. Plus The Others appeared on a couple of the lists, and now I want to get that back to the table.
The Others has the dubious distinction of putting me off ever backing or buying a CMoN game again. Or I should clarify it was the Kickstarter campaign CMoN ran for it and not the game itself (which I really enjoyed).
But one omission from the four top ten lists the Dice Tower contributors came up with for me was Gloom.
Which I have played once. But I really do need to get back to the table (especially now I have the fancy storage box, Gloomier, and Gloom Chronicles from the last Kickstarter) as I think there are others in Fenland Gamers that would also enjoy playing it.
10th October sees a World Mental Health Day.
I’m going to try and “celebrate” it with a post. I don’t know how the post will come out. That will all depend on the day I suppose.
