At the weekend, Mark was good enough to host a meet at his wonderful woods just outside Reading.

Although there was a flat area where the ground dwellers pitched a variety of tarp configurations and tents, I was quite pleased I took the hammock where area selection wasn’t too much of an issue on the slopes of the small hill.

The parachute and the windbreak served us well as the communal fire got going and liquid refreshement started to flow. Particularly refreshing was John’s sloe gin.
After breakfast on Saturday, we all mucked in to prepare the stew. Rabbits were skinned (it was good to have another go at this) and the veg was prepped. Honey and cider were added to the carrots, celery and onions for the stew. The spuds were peeled and put into another couldron.

While the stew was simmering, four of us went tracking. Armed with plaster of paris, the intention was to get some good casts of some tracks. Unfortunately, it was wet underfoot and the intermitant showers had washed out most tracks we saw. We did identify Roe and Muntjac. Rod also later picked up on a Fox trail underneath the leaf litter. Both Rod and Mark are experienced trackers and I was pleased to pick up some more tips.

We followed the small stream in the valley and came across Grey heron and Pheasant tracks. On the muddy sides of the stream we saw tracks that were of our main quest; that of the Water vole. Again they were too washed out to get a cast. Holes in the bank were clear signs that they were resident.

On the way we spooked a Muntjac foal. With four of us it was difficult to walk quietly and it jumped across the stream and away into the wood. A great sight though.

On the way to the lake we tried out some wild plants. Bittercress, young Hawthorn leaves, Wood sorrel and Burdock were all on offer. Some Cuckoo flower (Ladies smock) were just out of reach.

We ended up at the lake and took in the view before walking across the field back to the site.

Just before the stew, George showed us some different ways of firelighting involving flint, steel and either charcloth or rope. I’ll write more about this later.
The stew was as good as it looked. With the addition of mashed potato and Rabbit cooked to perfection, the meal was delicious. The only time when there was silence in the group. The meal was washed down with beer, cider and some brandy to finish it all off. Ben had fashioned an oven out of a large tin and two lots of cakes were produced for pudding. Who says you can’t eat well in the woods?
All too soon, Sunday was upon us and amidst a couple of showers we packed up. We parted with the promise of another moot in the not too distant future.
Thanks to everyone there for a great weekend.
Pablo.