I froze…it hadn’t noticed me. It was quite small, probably a female and I noticed she was carrying her rear left leg. My camera! It was in my pack, slung on my shoulders (and not as normal on my left shoulder). I dared not move but had to get my camera. Slow movements were the key. I’ve read their eyesight isn’t too good, as long as there’s no movement to attract their attention.

I couldn’t believe it, she sat down looking away from me. I slowly took the pack off my shoulders and reached in to get the camera. She started to move. Unbelievably a second fox came out of the bushes from my left. This must be the male. He was bigger, with a full deep red coat. I know that this time of year is near mating season and they hang around in pairs.

I dropped my bag. Both looked around, but didn’t spot me as I froze again. But this was enough for them to walk away. I quickly managed to get a couple of photos and looked up in time to see the female run after a rabbit. No competition with her injured leg and the rabbit escaped.

While the female chased the rabbit, the male was jumping in and out of the bushes. I didn’t manage to get a picture of them both together. After a while, they both disappeared out of the wood. I followed, but lost sight of them.

This was a great sighting for me, and reinforced my decision to take up watching nature and bushcraft again. I was grinning like an idiot all the way home!!

Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to get out since my last entry despite the glorious sunny days. My wife, Jo has had surgery and I’ve been grounded for a while.

Thoughts of the coming warmer weather and I’ve decided to commit this entry to thinking about bushcraft excursions that involve cooking out and sleeping out. If you’ve read this journal from the start you will know that I’ve previously been interested in bushcraft. I thus have a fair amount of kit (albeit rusty, moldy or smelly) from those days. My old “A” frame Bergen had to go as it had been attacked by an army of mice! My aim is to keep this interest as cost effective as possible therefore drawing up a kit list for excursions will be difficult.

I’ll have to start with something to carry stuff in. I have a small day sack, which is fine for sarnies and the basic day excursion, but would never take sleeping and cooking gear. Looks like first on the list will be a 40-50 litre back pack. I’ve thought of Karrimor Sabre, but I think it’s a bit pricey. A Highlander 44 looks pretty good and weighs in at only £30.

Shelter: Well a tarp looks good. The old army basha at about £30 but wait up! Ray uses an Australian hootchie! Let’s take a closer look. I loathe paying for a name or paying extra for endorsed kit, but this does look quite good with loads of eyelets and anchor points. £50? I’ll have to think about that. Mmmm…need some paracord although I have four bungies in good nick. A hammock also looks great fun and a Hennesey has the additional advantage of having a small tarp cover (or an even larger hexagonal tarp at an extra £45). The Hennesey is about £80 or so. Things are not cheap in this area are they? I already have a basic 2 man dome tent (only 2 season though). I’d love a low profile one but this will have to do for now. I’d only use the tent in poor weather or longer excursions.

Sleep: I have a 1 season bag and a sleep mat. Very cheap but this will do. I will get a bivvi bag though. Again, a cheap one at £18.99 will suit me for now.

Cook: Well it can only be a Trangia. I have a hexy burner, and will give this a go, but a small Trangia is a must. I’ve always wanted one and never got round to buying one. What type? 27 style is the 1-2 man version. A kettle would be a nice touch and the frying pan at least must be non-stick. Not a lot of change from £50 though. I know that a fire and billy’s are the way to go for true bushcrafting, but not all areas allow open fires.

Total so far to kick off with: £230. Maybe the Hammock can wait! An expensive first season. Now where’s that hammer for the piggy bank!

The photo is a view through my back fence at part of the 40 strong herd of fallow deer that regularly graze in the local farmer’s field. Saw some very low soaring buzzards on the way back from Oxford at the weekend. Great sight.