WOW what can I say but absolutely AWESOME
Well first of all I got to spend the whole weekend with my Dad something that rarely happens now days is spending time together.
I was at the show volunteering and heading up Pass It On Young Sports and The Red Squirrel Conservation with Brendan from The Grey Area Group.
Our stand was packed full all weekend I gave so many game calling lessons from my chair, as my legs are still not good, although I did get off the stand a little for loo breaks, then bumping into so many old chums and new ones who wanted a pic with me.
One highlight I was invited up on stage by my dear chums Jose and Rachel to blast some game calls out for the start of one of their brilliant Game Prep and Game Cooking demos, this was very well received with lots of laughter and cheers.
A wonderful weekend spent at real Country sports show of how it should be, with great muckers and lots of new muckers made too especially Young Sports
I am back in my favourite role in Freemasonry The Tyler or outer guard.
I love being the first mason to deal with the candidates, Province etc.
I am typing for John De Clivedon who meet in the Clevedon Temple here in the province of Somerset.
We were doing a wonderful 3rd degree ceremony to raise Bro M to be a MM, this will be followed by a fine 5 course festive board or after meeting as it's know.
We also have a membership pathway meeting prom the Somerset Province and our new DPGM WBro MG
If you would like to know more about becoming a Freemason drop Gordano Lodge a line or email us at [email protected] or click on the website link below
www.somersetfreemasons.org
I was asked by a friend of a friend could I go along to their very large Country House and shoot some rabbits.
They have some wonderful ornamental lawns and flower beds being destroyed by said rabbits.
Dad and I popped along with Ole Goose my cocker spaniel for the retrieving as I am not so good on my legs at the moment, using the Air Arms S510 a Night Pearl Thermal Spotter and my good Ole Nite Site Eagle Dark Ops.
As soon as we got there Dad shot a pigeon that came in to roost, the night fell and we switched to NV, saw a few rabbits and in a couple of hours we managed 5 without moving from the truck, Goose enjoyed retrieving each one including the pigeon at the start,my boy never missed a beat, loves that little dog muchly
3 mallard landed in the pond not ten yards away, a badger snuffled around scaring them off, I heard a Russel of leaves, and then a squeal, not 20 yards away I saw a vixen ( female fox) hunt naturally and take a full grown rabbit right next to me the other side of the pond, this was awesome watching this predator hunt and take her meal back to her cubs.
The evening was spent in almost complete silence, but a million word and memories were exchanged, now that's an evening spent as a true Countryman with my Ole Dad
This was where I shot that bag of rabbits a few days ago as per pic, this time armed with the Air Arms S510 ultimate sporter as I wanted to cover some areas where the 22lr was not a good tool for the job.
Although I could of bagged up on young rabbits I didn't fire a shot, as a Countryman I don't kill next year's sport, they will be there come winter and I will ferret them out.
None the less a wonderful evening spent watching young rabbits play in the evening sun, by golly my heart is full tonight
An old permission I have shot for almost 40 years dropped me a call, we have a few too many rabbits about can I pop down and have a look.
I was barely just over an hour in total including chatting with the land owner over a mug of tea and getting home.
I actually only shot for 20 mins using the Ole 22 rimmy and a leading ammunition brand.
There were 2 more that I didn't get Goose my Cocker Spaniel to pick up as it was too dark and I could not walk in the dim light with my bad legs from the truck, the land owner went out at first light and picked up both and they are now in his freezer.
I have to go back shortly to have another go equipped with thermal and NV.
You know it's old school shooting like this I really love, just the simplicity of it all.
Now I have some lovely fresh rabbits in my freezer, ohhhh I feel some KFR and a cold cider coming on nom nom nom.
Yesterday we held our first event of 2025 at Jacklands Fishing Lakes.
We had a wonderful SEN school as our guests and we put on a wonderful days course and trout fishing on for these wonderful young people, the teachers and helpers, we fed everyone with a BBQ and Russ Woodland one of our wonderful Somerset Freemasonry APGs presented the trophies and medals.
A huge shout out to the Somerset Branch volunteers you folks are the heroes of the day, for without you these days could not run.
If you would like to volunteer, sponsor or have a group that would like a day put on by us get in touch via the email or website link below
[email protected]
www.mtsfc.or.uk
Sat on the back of my truck no hide nothing just me the dog, Mossberg Hush Power 410, field craft and some damn fine shooting.
A very dear old farmer friend has been getting hit by a huge flock of Jackdaws, other mixed corvids and feral pigeons etc.
He's tried everything to keep them off the clamps but still they come, it's not just what they eat it's all the poo over the animal foodstuffs and this is making his livestock unwell.
So I sat there bolt upright thinking just my presence would deter them, no they just kept coming.
This was not the final bag just the one after the first box or so if cartridges, also whilst my old friend was there to take some pics.
I must say Goose my cocker spaniel loved all the retrieving and was so tired by the end of the session.
I am going back next week to see if my scare crow is working if not I will shoot again.
Goose and I had a wonderful morning.
April Fools and Stalking Shows
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk