Last Thursday was a day off.

So I took the opportunity to go out and play with my Goshawk OP-100, with an Alcohol Stove Cross Stand, a generic clone Ultralight Titanium Windscreen. And using the SOTO Thermolite cook set to make my noodles.

It was also an excuse to play with my drone too.

Naturally seeing as the plan was to cook lunch, and fly the drone I chose an old wolf pack walking spot that I thought would be suitable.

It was hot last Thursday, so like all mad dogs and Englishmen I was out in the midday sun. Wisely I did not take the two attack chihuahuas Nico and Loki with me. Being out in such heat would not have been fair on them. Guess who forgot suntan lotion?

After I parked the car I walked the half kilometre or so to my lunch spot.

It was an emotional walk because this was the first time I’d been to this spot since Strider joined Bud and Barney. I’ve avoided the old haunts since their passing.

I loved those dogs so much. I still miss them, and it does still get emotional when I talk about them passing away. But I have nothing but great memories of them and the places we shared together.

It’s time to remember them as I return to old haunts, and not avoid the pain and loss (yes even after all this time it still feels fresh). I hope Nathan will join me on some of these future walks, and share our memories of them.

After spreading out ready to do some cooking, I had to move everything to one side as a couple of horse riders wanted to pass. Yeah the drawbacks of being on a bridle way. I had hoped being a work day that I’d avoid something like this. But considering these were the only people and animals I saw whilst there. The plan was nearly perfect.

I’d only just started cooking my lunch when they returned. Which meant once again clearing a path for them and apologising for not having enough to share.

Before getting some more flying practice in I cooked lunch (as you might have gathered from above.

Home made pot noodle?

Lunch was a pack of three minute noodles. I was using the cheapest ones Tesco sold. There’s really no difference between the cheap ones and the expensive ones. So I see no point in spending extra on them.

So as the water started to heat up I added the following ingredients to the water:

• Freeze dried garden peas
• Dried shiitake mushrooms
• Chopped up Sun dried tomatoes

These ingredients needed a little extra time to rehydrate.

I then added the noodles along with its chicken flavour packet.

Next some rehydrated soy sauce powder was added, along with a chopped up polish pork stick (can’t remember the brand but it was one that didn’t needed storing in a fridge). I finally seasoned with salt and pepper.

Even if I say so myself this was very tasty. And washing it down with a can of Coke Zero finished off the experience.

After lunch it was time for flight school!

I’ve included short highlights below. Sadly I forgot to record the tracking/follow me stuff I did. Next time.

The bright sun of mid day did make it difficult seeing the RC controllers screen.

I kept my flight short when it became obvious that I had upset/disturbed a pair of swifts (I think they were). I want to be a responsible drone pilot. So grounding my drone was the right thing to do.

It felt weird doing this Thursday. This sort of thing is something I did all the time with the wolf pack. Finding that quiet spot. Getting the stove out. Brewing up (or cooking the odd time). And just chillin.

I had a great couple of hours, even if my arch enemy the sun was doing its best to cook me. It was very relaxing. I did catch the sun on my arms but luckily not badly.

Now to find a spot with trees to play with the hammock.