Blog Archives

The Seasons End

29/1/2023

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

In the blink of an eye there it is gone, by this I mean the game and wildfowling season here in Britain, OK there are some remnants of it still going, like wildfowling on the fore shore until the 20th of February, but for almost all of us it all finishes on the 1st of February each year, so with this short humble scribbles I will reflect on the season past for me here in Somersetshire as well as my travels all around Britain catching up with family and friends hunting, Shooting or Fishing, I do have one shoot left in me this season on the 31st of January I am heading to Hampshire as the personal guest of my dear friend Rob the 4th generation game keeper and my other dear chum the estate owner David, I will report on that one in my next humble scribbles so please look out for that article.

Season 2022-2023 blimey where should I start ??? I suppose right back in the spring of 2022, coming out of the previous season post COVID and Brexit was a bit of a tricky one and uncertain times, many shoots didn't survive, the lucky ones who had forward thinking had to pull their belt straps in and work differently to survive, this I think we did well and have come out of this season bigger, better, stronger with good businesses heads streamlining what we do, so I for one think we have a bright future ahead of us, but time and circumstance will tell I suppose.

As the spring became summer and I went back to breeding my own birds with a couple of students under my wing wanting to learn this art I found a new lease of life for rearing, something I had retired myself on some 5 years or so ago, again time and circumstance made me return out of retirement, well what's the point in having all these qualifications and a lifetimes experience if I don't use them, plus the fact I had some fine young people to coach and inspire, I must say we had a wonderful first season breeding our own birds, we have now invested in some new incubators etc and will be streamlining some of the lessons we have learned this last season, I have enlisted the help of another old friend who breeds a lot of ornamental fowl etc too so this should make for an interesting spring and summer of 2023.

This year my birds flew so well you would swear they had jet packs and Nasa written up their backs, I will get to that a little later in this article, of course game shooting is not all we do, we cover all forms of shooting sport and country sports.

Crop protection was fun this year and I am still eating the pigeons from my game freezers from the summer and autumn harvest, wildfowling this season has been a little hit and miss, with the hot weather and drought like conditions of late summer all of my 7 ponds were bone dry, we didn't have water in them until December, so flight pond shooting this season has not really started, the Somerset Levels in this area are the same, its not until the late November and early December that we had any splashes to really write about, then we had too much water so found it hard to concentrate the wildfowl etc, although we have had a few wonderful flights.

Ferreting I love traditional ferreting, but again a lack of rabbits, hot weather to start with and now we finally get some good frosty weather to knock the brambles and vegetation back everything is flooded, you just cant make it up can you, so I suppose as the saying goes, you gotta learn to dance in the rain, Big Yin (Billy Connelly the comedian/actor/singer/ musician) says there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so go buy your self some oil skins and some wellington boots and enjoy the weather, one reason I have Jack Pyke as a sponsor as I love their gear and it really helps me to stay out there when others call it a day early.

This happened just recently, I took my under keeper and his sone wildfowling with another good mucker of mine, my exact words wrap up, have gloves, a warm hat, extra socks etc, nope they didn't listen when I told them this is a wild place and much colder with the wind chill, they only lasted a couple of hours and left just when the wildfowl started to flight in on this wonderful full moon, what a flight my ole mucker and I had, Teal and Wigeon all over the place flighting around, the spectacle of them in flight really made my heart smile and made me think of past seasons and my ole Girl Hollie and her Granddaughter Brook and some of the finest retrieves, my Goose was at my side watching all this as a sword of mallard dropped right into me, I mounted swung through and dropped two duck with one shot, on Command Goose my cocker spaniel who had marked them down went straight out and had them retrieved back to heal in no time, what a wonderful little dog who has the mighty heart of The Wolf In My Living Room, he loves his Jack Pyke dog coat too, he knows were going wildfowling as soon as I take it off the hook, he just switches on into I am a serious hunting dog mode, I love that little dog he is my right hand man we go everywhere together, even as I type he is sat on my feet keeping them warm.

Goose and I spent Christmas and New year on a Welsh Mountain staying in a wonderful Railway Carriage, within ten minuets of being there the farmer had asked oh you do pest control? Could you do some for me whilst you are here, talk about a busman's holiday, of course I agreed and a good job I took and armoury with me was it not, I was supposed to meeting some Welsh chums and go hunting and ferreting, alas this did not happen their wives put their feet down saying its the Christmas break, you have to so spend time with your in laws, damn poor show if you ask me, not really I dont mean that, you should spend it with family, but that farmer was a life saver for me as I would of gotten bored, as it was I dealt with a host of vermin especially rabbits and squirrels, the farmer has asked me to go back to deal with his mole problem as well as other other pest problems, hmmmmm I think another busman's holiday is on the cards pretty soon.

So here we are at Seasons End, I have just got back from my final shoot of the season my estate, I decided we should finish the season as a walked up rough shoot so we could all shoot and work our dogs, make it a real social shooting day, finish this off with a roost shoot on the pigeons, I must say this was a wonderful last day of the season, my birds flushed and flew strong, a glut of woodcock all over the estate, I have not seen that many in years, there were as many as pheasants coming out, they all went on un saluted, I wont shoot them unless I am going to eat them and my game freezer is full, this day I decided to use my 1891 Peterson's and Son’s of Peterborough 16 Bore Hammer Gun for some nostalgic shooting, we also went around doing some squirrel drey poking, that little gun made short work of the tree rats, you know she is still as sweet on the eye and in the arms as she was back in my great grand fathers day, or as I say back in modern times.

Well we finished the season on a big high, all looking forward to preparing for next season, I still have one fabulous days shooting left for this season, the icing on the cake for me, the one I mentioned earlier in this article and I cant wait, I will be suited and booted in my finest estate tweeds, a wonderful days game shooting lays ahead of me, with full corporate hospitality, catching up with old friends and making new ones, spending time in the company of some of the finest sporting folk in the land, what a way to see this season out, a season that's a triumph to the passion and tenacity to The British Game Shoot and all who sail under her banner.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and my latest humble scribbles, scroll back and read some of the past ones or keep your eye out for future articles etc, everything is written from the heart in my own words as I see it, the only thing left to say is Arrrrrr Its Proper Job Mucker.

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

# Please Note Photos and video's are for illustration purposes only, they may not be on the day, time or year in question#

0 Comments

Christmas In The Mountains

5/1/2023

0 Comments

The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains

This story starts off on Christmas Eve of 2022, well actually it starts off many months earlier, I hit 2022 with my feet on the ground running, everything from my business life, personal life and my media life just exploded, it seemed I was more popular now than ever, my Pass It On Young sports nationally was flying, I had just taken on a New Scottish Director and he has made a brilliant job of getting the Scotland branch off the ground, my Masonic fishing Branch is just well sailing away we could not have had a better year if we had tried, I am very proud of all my teams and volunteers, mere words, photos or videos just do not do these Countryside Hero's the justice they deserve, Masonically WOW what a year for me too, promotions, joining new orders or side degrees and meeting and spending time with some of the finest Brothers a man could wish or be honoured to know.

I suppose I should start this story off on the 23rd of December 2023, my Dad, my Uncle Dave and I are all born in December, its been a family tradition that we celebrate together on the 23rd of every December as far back as I can remember, this year my brother Shaun joined us, its been a while since all four of us Collins Boys have been all together all at the same time, usually one or two of us are missing, we went to Dads house for some food, then we went around to the pub for our usual joviality, I did not stay too late as I had to get back for Goose my Cocker Spaniel.

The next day I loaded the truck and headed for Wales and my Railway carriage in the Welsh mountains in the national park, I had booked this many months before, you see if I don't go away when I want a break, I will just end up working, I got there in less than an hour from my front door to my Carriage that was just like a log cabin, I unloaded my gear set the cabin how I wanted it and went out for a walk with Goose to stretch our legs.

Almost immediately I bumped into the farmer next door who was feeding his horses, we struck up a conversation about his mole problem, from this conversation he asked could I help deal with some vermin problems whilst I was there, mainly rabbits and grey squirrels, I would have to come back for the moles as I didn't have any mole gear with me, I did have a 22 rimfire, an fac Air Arms Air Rifle and a 20b Shotgun with me, I was supposed to meeting a couple of Welsh boys over there to go out with them, alas it was my Welsh chums wives who said no they cant come out to play, the farmers offer for me to shoot his farm worked out very well indeed, for the first three days I did nothing apart from take Goose for a Walk and just chill out in front of the fire, sleep, drink fine wines and port, eating and watching the odd DVD on my player and going to bed early, my Pappy always said Early to bed, Early to rise, makes a Young Man, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, he was right, I was also exhausted and needed re charging after such a long hard year.

My first walk up my mountain, this was the one I was staying on so I called it m mountain, was like the discover of fire for the first time, I was blown away by its raw natural beauty and the views were so spectacular, mere words, photos or videos just do not do this Welsh Landscape the justice it deserves, I fell in love with Wales all over again with every breath of crisp fresh Welsh Mountain Air, even Goose was on fire he was right at home here amongst the bracken bolting rabbits and flushing woodcock etc, my heart literally sang as I felt my entire body and soul just breath easy and relax, that first mountain hike/hunt was just like walking on air, every step, ever breath cleansing my very soul, each with a new adventure for Gosse and I laying before us, my Pappy (Grandfather) always said its all in the story, the climb to the top of the mountain that gives you the greatest view, he was so right as I strode to the top and stood and looked, every step up, every breath taken told the story of Goose and I adventure on our way up there, I suppose its the same in life, all the struggles, all the heart ache, the love lost and found, the hardships of life its all part of my story, some never make it up to the top of their mountains, I have been so lucky in life, I have climbed to the very top of my mountain, lost everything rolled right to the bog at the bottom of my mountain, with hard work and dedication I am rebuilding my path to the top of my mountain, it took this Christmas break to re focus me as I was exhausted and losing faith, but that climb to the top of that mountain and a chat with God re energised me, for I see the path I need to take clearly in front of me, my Young Sports are the very core of why I do what I do, I wont let them down

Goose and I climbed down the mountain taking every step, breath and view in, etching every detail in my memory, I got to the bottom and bumped into the farmer, he was going up to his local mountain pub to meet all his farming friends for their Christmas drink, would I like to come he asked? Dogs are welcome too, Goose and I jumped into his old series Landrover and chugged up the mountain in it, he told me the history of the mountain and his family farm going back many generations, I was like a kid on Christmas morning listening him too him, it suddenly sprang to mind he reminded me of my Pappy (Grandfather) not so much in how he looked but his body language and the passionate way he told a story, I hung on his every word, actually over the next 11 days he told me so many stories, truly wonderful I telle, we got to the pub and I was made to feel so welcome, the hospitality was second to none, I always say no matter where you go in the world true Country People are Country People the world over, I know this from first hand experience I have so many stories that span my travels around the globe hunting, shooting, fishing, cooking, eating and indeed drinking, every where I went the entire time I was there in that part of Wales I was greeted with open arms with the most wonderful smiles, everyone greeting me with good morning, good afternoon, good evening etc, I really felt quite at home and might consider buying a cottage there and moving base, for my beloved North Somerset is turning ghastly, builders have moved in and turning the whole area into a concrete jungle, as I said in a recent magazine interview my life here has is like the Don Williams song Lord Have Mercy On A Country Boy, I will attach this song to this articles at the bottom, listen to the words that is exactly how my life is here now.

The next few days Goose and I Hiked up and down so many mountains, hills, valley bottoms, you name it we walked it, hunting all the way of course, Goose flushed and retrieved I always had my catapult with me, I met so many farmers it looks like I will be going back doing a lot of mole control over there.

I went into Abergavenny what a wonderful little town, a great indoor market with lots of local produce, right up my street, a Cantonese lady there making fresh street food, I was particularly taken with her dumplings and spring rolls, a lovely bakery in there I got old school fresh baked crusty cobs (rolls) in there just like my Nan used to get, they went beautifully with my cold meats and pickles that night, actually I made pickled eggs and onions ready for Christmas, I was so happy how they came out, these were my Mum’s, nan’s and Aunty Rita’s recipe, they never showed me this recipe I just worked off my memory of watching them make these, blow me over I got it right first time around, I was transported back to a boxing day from my boyhood with the very first bite of that first pickled onion, Abergavenny what a wonderful town, lovely side streets, interesting local family shops as well as a few big names there, a couple of cracking family butchers, Bakers, Cafes, everyone again so friendly, I really am thinking of up sticks and moving to Wales, I found the masonic Lodge too so all good there, ou know as I am writing this and remembering it all I am persuading myself even more to move there.

The first night I went out lamping there were so many rabbits on that mountain I had to open a gate to let some out so I could go in and hunt some, I have not seen that many rabbits in a long time, the farmer said could I get a few for his oldest friend, a real countryman who loves ferreting, he and his brother live on rabbit but the years are marching on for Wilf and his brother who struggle getting out so much now days, of course that was no problem, it got to a point where I had to stop shooting I just could not carry any more rabbits down the mountain on my own, Eley Ammunition and the awesome Night Pearl Seer and Scops Max III made the job just too easy, although the shooting was very testing in the high mountain winds, the challenge for me made it so much more interesting and I loved it.

I hung the pile of rabbits up in the farmers barn saying tell Wilf to come get them, I saw the farmer later that day when I had gotten back from Trago Mills, in his lovely Welsh accent he said blimey how many rabbits did you shoot, Wilf’s freezer might not fit them all, I laughed and said not as many as I could of shot, I would not be able to carry them all, we both laugh and he said shoot some more were over run with them, I was also asked to deal with a squirrel problem, there were a lot of them too.

For a few days and nights it rained hard and blew a hooley, so I could not get out hunting much, Goose and I went off in the truck discovering new places, each time an adventure, at the top of our mountain there was a man made pond, actually it was more like a lake, they called it The Keepers Pond, blow me sideways it was cold and windy enough walking around it, there were some daft buggers swimming in it, even Goose didn't fancy swimming in it, the dog looked at me, I looked at the dog, we both shook our heads thinking daft buggers, we carried on our walk chasing rabbits that was much more our style.

The time on our Welsh Mountain passed so quickly, we had our friends there with us, the farm horses followed us up and down the mountain, my little mate the Robin Red Breast who loved a few crumbs as I sat there on my decking drinking port with Goose by my side, Christmas Dinner was a Welsh Cawl (Cowl Stew) cooked in the slow cooker with my famous herby dumplings, those that have my cook books with know this recipe, Goose and I Hunted, Ate and Drank like Welsh Mountain kings.

Every day Goose and I had a walk with the 20b up the mountain, we accounted for several squirrels with that little gun, we lamped old school with a new twist with the New Helios Artemis head lamp, that is a brilliant bit of kit I telle, take a look at my video at the bottom of this article.

The final day came when we had to pack up and leave as I had to get back and set up a sporting rifle range night, I can honestly say I was so sad to leave our hosts and that wonderful place, so much so I am looking at dates to when I can go back even if it’s just for a couple of days, I really can say I have left a piece of my heart in those Welsh Mountains.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my Christmas Adventures in those magnificent Welsh Mountains, the place, the people so amazing they have left an imprint on my heart forever, watch this space as I am sure there will be more humble scribbles to come for I Will Be Going Back.

The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains

By The Ole Hedge Creepers
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk

0 Comments

To my Haters & Stalkers, I am a Lion not a Sheeple, my advice is to not poke the Sleeping Lion, for if you awake me from my slumber you will hear me ROAR, then you will find yourself staying at Her Majesty's pleasure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

About the Archive

As you will all know I am a busy boy and I am asked post articles and review on behalf of lots people in lots of different places.

The images and photos are for illustration purposes only, they may not be of the actual day/article or location in question or even at the same venue, for client/venue sensitivity,data protection and often location or contract legalities, we may use a stock photo at our discretion, The main place to find most of my articles is of course the
Countrymans Diary Magazine.

This Archive is a central location of all those pearls of wisdom I have let loose on the World, whilst its not bang up to date the knowledge contained in here is worth its weight in gold.

Feel free to share this information its all free and it my pleasure to Pass It On.

The Seasons End

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

Christmas In The Mountains

The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

The Seasons End

The Seasons End​ Reflections Of A Countryman

Christmas In The Mountains

The Ole Hedge Creepers ​ Christmas In The Mountains

About the Archive

Archives

Categories

SPONSORS and Pro Staff Appointments

The Seasons End
Reflections Of A Countryman

The Ole Hedge Creepers
Christmas In The Mountains