Mad Dogs and Englishmen
June The Month Of The Tropical Sun
I have just raised a glass to salute all those that took part in D Day 81 years ago today.
Especially my Pappy (Grandfather) Ole Blue or Sandy to his Navy Chums.
He was a gunner on the HMS Norfolk, along with the HMS Suffolk were the first two ships to engage the pride of the German Navy the Bismarck and help sink her, the pic of him and his Norfolk Brothers in arms in Malta after the ship being patched up.
On D Day he drove a landing craft on sword beach alongside thousands of others, the stories he told me of that first day still brings tears, he taught me to avoid war at all costs.
I am going to bed with this awesome true story film of a D Day veteran, this could easily be me watching my Pappy and Nan, tears and laughter will flow and bring back so many memories of my wonderful Grandparents, good night one and all, I will dream of all those that have fallen on this day and every day since, god bless one and all.
Watch The Great Escaper film trailer on the link below
https://youtu.be/C-Qw4asqFUY?si=jU7Gr_DPAKEvmOZt
Especially my Pappy (Grandfather) Ole Blue or Sandy to his Navy Chums.
He was a gunner on the HMS Norfolk, along with the HMS Suffolk were the first two ships to engage the pride of the German Navy the Bismarck and help sink her, the pic of him and his Norfolk Brothers in arms in Malta after the ship being patched up.
On D Day he drove a landing craft on sword beach alongside thousands of others, the stories he told me of that first day still brings tears, he taught me to avoid war at all costs.
I am going to bed with this awesome true story film of a D Day veteran, this could easily be me watching my Pappy and Nan, tears and laughter will flow and bring back so many memories of my wonderful Grandparents, good night one and all, I will dream of all those that have fallen on this day and every day since, god bless one and all.
Watch The Great Escaper film trailer on the link below
https://youtu.be/C-Qw4asqFUY?si=jU7Gr_DPAKEvmOZt
The Somerset Masonic Shooting Club in Association with The Adair Club are proud to host our annual Targets Shooting Day.
Date and Venue;
The 16th of August 2025.
The Mendip Shooting Ground, Somerset.
10am until finish.
This is for Clay Target Shooting, Air Rifle and Air Pistol Target Shooting.
All welcome Family, Friends and Young Folk.
There is a fantastic cafe restaurant there serving breakfasts up to full meals, kids most welcome.
This is also Gordano Lodges annual Clay Shooting Day too.
If you would like to know more or get in contact with us via the website link below
ww.somersetmasonicshootingclub.co.uk
A New Permission
I got a call from a very nice lady after being recommended.
Please come quickly we are overrun with rabbits they are destroying everything.
Blimey they do have a rabbit problem too, beautiful ornamental gardens, manicured lawns and very well looked after horse paddocks all being destroyed by the rabbits.
The necessary paperwork work filled out over a nice cup of tea, I then spent about an hour shooting and filled the back of my truck up with fresh shot rabbits.
I only hobbled a few yards then sat on my pop up seat shooting off the sticks with the trusty old Air Arms.
Goose my cocker spaniel very much enjoyed retrieving the shit rabbits only after he got his head in the game and stopped chasing the lives ones about lol.
The lady watched me with her binoculars from her bedroom window, she complimented me on my shooting, saying blimey you don't you ever miss, I chuckled and said pellets are expensive, we moth laughed.
I will go back this week and let a couple of the other shooting club guys look after this one as I am still not the best if health, but I still have the spirit in me to keep having a go.
www.theolehedgecreeoer.co.uk
I got a call from a very nice lady after being recommended.
Please come quickly we are overrun with rabbits they are destroying everything.
Blimey they do have a rabbit problem too, beautiful ornamental gardens, manicured lawns and very well looked after horse paddocks all being destroyed by the rabbits.
The necessary paperwork work filled out over a nice cup of tea, I then spent about an hour shooting and filled the back of my truck up with fresh shot rabbits.
I only hobbled a few yards then sat on my pop up seat shooting off the sticks with the trusty old Air Arms.
Goose my cocker spaniel very much enjoyed retrieving the shit rabbits only after he got his head in the game and stopped chasing the lives ones about lol.
The lady watched me with her binoculars from her bedroom window, she complimented me on my shooting, saying blimey you don't you ever miss, I chuckled and said pellets are expensive, we moth laughed.
I will go back this week and let a couple of the other shooting club guys look after this one as I am still not the best if health, but I still have the spirit in me to keep having a go.
www.theolehedgecreeoer.co.uk
Sunny Sundays Dream
You know when you have well earned a G&T and the Guitars come out it's time to chill www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
You know when you have well earned a G&T and the Guitars come out it's time to chill www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
Aroma Therapy
There are some aromas in life that really fire your senses, like the smell of fresh cut grass or the Autumn Rain.
For me food has always ignited my senses, onions frying, smoked bacon whilst camping, walking past a curry house, woodsmoke from the fire in the farmhouse pantry.
But none is more arousing than the aroma of fresh baked bread as you awake in the morning.
Last night I dug out my bread maker and set it to start baking in the early doors.
I awoke with a hunger like a famished beast, I was dreaming of a good Ole bacon sandwich made with warm crusty bread and a pint of Yorkshire tea to wash is down with.
I was not disappointed ahhhhh nom nom nom
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
There are some aromas in life that really fire your senses, like the smell of fresh cut grass or the Autumn Rain.
For me food has always ignited my senses, onions frying, smoked bacon whilst camping, walking past a curry house, woodsmoke from the fire in the farmhouse pantry.
But none is more arousing than the aroma of fresh baked bread as you awake in the morning.
Last night I dug out my bread maker and set it to start baking in the early doors.
I awoke with a hunger like a famished beast, I was dreaming of a good Ole bacon sandwich made with warm crusty bread and a pint of Yorkshire tea to wash is down with.
I was not disappointed ahhhhh nom nom nom
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
Fathers Day 2025
This photo is one of my favourites, for it has 4 generations of us Collins Boys all in one photo.
Two men who shaped me into the man I am today, whom I cannot thank enough.
First my Pappy (Grandfather) a truly inspirational hard working man, super intelligent and loved his family beyond the words I can write, Royal Navy man and and boy and WW2 hero and DDay landing Veteran, he drove the landing craft on to the beaches under heavy fire, this man taught me how to read and write and so much more, a true Gentleman of the old school who knew how to treat a lady as a lady and loved only one woman (my Nan) with a passion beyond compare.
My Dad another hard working family man who raised us boys (bro Shaun) and I well, he taught us many things from standing on your own two feet to, country sports, purse net making, carpentry, building, decorating and so much more, a practical man life lessons taught to us through work, he taught us how to hunt shoot and fish.
I am in this photo with my Son Ryan, now a full grown man of nearly 33, he has my grandson Franklin 9, so not only am I wishing my Pappy and Dad a happy father's Day, I am also wishing my son Ryan and Grandson Franklin one too.
You never understand a father's love until you are one too, the Tracey Lawrence song Till I Was A Daddy Too says it best, click on the link below and have a listen.
https://youtu.be/QW8AR3-EaAM
This photo is one of my favourites, for it has 4 generations of us Collins Boys all in one photo.
Two men who shaped me into the man I am today, whom I cannot thank enough.
First my Pappy (Grandfather) a truly inspirational hard working man, super intelligent and loved his family beyond the words I can write, Royal Navy man and and boy and WW2 hero and DDay landing Veteran, he drove the landing craft on to the beaches under heavy fire, this man taught me how to read and write and so much more, a true Gentleman of the old school who knew how to treat a lady as a lady and loved only one woman (my Nan) with a passion beyond compare.
My Dad another hard working family man who raised us boys (bro Shaun) and I well, he taught us many things from standing on your own two feet to, country sports, purse net making, carpentry, building, decorating and so much more, a practical man life lessons taught to us through work, he taught us how to hunt shoot and fish.
I am in this photo with my Son Ryan, now a full grown man of nearly 33, he has my grandson Franklin 9, so not only am I wishing my Pappy and Dad a happy father's Day, I am also wishing my son Ryan and Grandson Franklin one too.
You never understand a father's love until you are one too, the Tracey Lawrence song Till I Was A Daddy Too says it best, click on the link below and have a listen.
https://youtu.be/QW8AR3-EaAM
An old permission
I got called in to a very old permission of mine, I have not shot here for a couple of years as I left another air gunner to look after the place as they had nowhere else to shoot.
My old friend called me in saying we have not seen the other fellow for over a year and he does not answer his phone.
Ok it's not a big place but for an avid air gunner there's a fair bit of sport to be had right across the quarry list.
I popped in and while drinking a mug of tea in the landowners garden I shot these rabbits in the veg garden.
Not a bad hour me thinks, now I will go back to looking after this place myself
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
I got called in to a very old permission of mine, I have not shot here for a couple of years as I left another air gunner to look after the place as they had nowhere else to shoot.
My old friend called me in saying we have not seen the other fellow for over a year and he does not answer his phone.
Ok it's not a big place but for an avid air gunner there's a fair bit of sport to be had right across the quarry list.
I popped in and while drinking a mug of tea in the landowners garden I shot these rabbits in the veg garden.
Not a bad hour me thinks, now I will go back to looking after this place myself
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
Dad I look so cute can I have my biscuit now pleeeeease???
Of course you can my gawjus boy Goose my Cocker Spaniel, I gurt loves this boy mucjly.
Of course you can my gawjus boy Goose my Cocker Spaniel, I gurt loves this boy mucjly.
I headed up The Somerset Branch of The Masonic Fishing Charity at the Nailsea Masonic Hall Open Day.
We were putting on our Magnetic Course Fishing and Velcro Fly Fishing Stands, these were well received by all and we had a wonderful day.
A big shout out to our volunteers who did a wonderful job and we could not have done it without them.
Especially
WBro Richard Ellis (Estune)
WBro Howard Ford (John De Clivedon)
WBro Richard Warry (Parrot and Axe)
Mrs Margaret Langford (Masonic Widow)
If you would like our branch to do something for your lodge, Temple open day etc please email us at [email protected]
www.mtsfc.org.uk
If you would like to know more about becoming a Freemason drop Gordano Lodge 6244 a line or email us at [email protected] or click on the website link below.
www.somersetfreemasons.org
We were putting on our Magnetic Course Fishing and Velcro Fly Fishing Stands, these were well received by all and we had a wonderful day.
A big shout out to our volunteers who did a wonderful job and we could not have done it without them.
Especially
WBro Richard Ellis (Estune)
WBro Howard Ford (John De Clivedon)
WBro Richard Warry (Parrot and Axe)
Mrs Margaret Langford (Masonic Widow)
If you would like our branch to do something for your lodge, Temple open day etc please email us at [email protected]
www.mtsfc.org.uk
If you would like to know more about becoming a Freemason drop Gordano Lodge 6244 a line or email us at [email protected] or click on the website link below.
www.somersetfreemasons.org
Axbridge and District Rotary Club
Yesterday I had the greatest honour to attend the Axbridge Rotary Club in Somerset, Presidents hand over lunch.
I was the guest of my dear friend Paul the new President and his lovely wife Sam.
A truly fantastic afternoon spent with inspirational wonderful people, a fine meal was had too.
I was truly inspired to hear how much they had raised for local charities etc and how much work they do for our local communities.
I think I want to know even more now about what the Rotary Club does and possibly help out.
A really lovely day spent with lovely kind hearted people, it was an honour to be there.
If you would like to know more about The Axbridge and District Rotary Club, volunteer or donate, or the rotary club in general, click on the website link below
https://axbridgedistrictrotary.org.uk/
Yesterday I had the greatest honour to attend the Axbridge Rotary Club in Somerset, Presidents hand over lunch.
I was the guest of my dear friend Paul the new President and his lovely wife Sam.
A truly fantastic afternoon spent with inspirational wonderful people, a fine meal was had too.
I was truly inspired to hear how much they had raised for local charities etc and how much work they do for our local communities.
I think I want to know even more now about what the Rotary Club does and possibly help out.
A really lovely day spent with lovely kind hearted people, it was an honour to be there.
If you would like to know more about The Axbridge and District Rotary Club, volunteer or donate, or the rotary club in general, click on the website link below
https://axbridgedistrictrotary.org.uk/
The Story of The Chicken, The Fox and The NiteSite.
Several years ago I was called to a free range chicken farm, the hens were getting hammered by foxes both by day and by night.
Everything had been tried to keep the foxes out, a small fortune was spent on electric fencing, it was all live as one of my young sports found out.
Two different sets of foxes, ones that attacked by day and ones that attacked by night.
A scaffold tower was erected for me to shoot the daytime ones, this worked very well and I dealt with those foxes very quickly, there is a famous photo of mine with the chickens surrounding the shot fox.
Now I did not deem the tower safe to shoot from at night, so I shot from my truck, rifle at the ready with the NiteSite on scanning the area where the attacks had been the worst hit, all the hens were locked away and bed down.
So there I am sat in the pitch black of the night, the only light is on the screen of my NiteSite.
All of a sudden the hen in the photo came out of the darkness flapping and landing on my arm. Let's just say I think I left a brown stain on my car seat.
Soon after this still with the hen on my arm I shot a fox, I entitled the photo there he is boss that's the fox that ate Gladdis.
Funny stories that can only happen in country sports eh.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
Several years ago I was called to a free range chicken farm, the hens were getting hammered by foxes both by day and by night.
Everything had been tried to keep the foxes out, a small fortune was spent on electric fencing, it was all live as one of my young sports found out.
Two different sets of foxes, ones that attacked by day and ones that attacked by night.
A scaffold tower was erected for me to shoot the daytime ones, this worked very well and I dealt with those foxes very quickly, there is a famous photo of mine with the chickens surrounding the shot fox.
Now I did not deem the tower safe to shoot from at night, so I shot from my truck, rifle at the ready with the NiteSite on scanning the area where the attacks had been the worst hit, all the hens were locked away and bed down.
So there I am sat in the pitch black of the night, the only light is on the screen of my NiteSite.
All of a sudden the hen in the photo came out of the darkness flapping and landing on my arm. Let's just say I think I left a brown stain on my car seat.
Soon after this still with the hen on my arm I shot a fox, I entitled the photo there he is boss that's the fox that ate Gladdis.
Funny stories that can only happen in country sports eh.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
American Style Pancakes.
Here we have my famous American Style Pancakes, served with real salted melting butter, grade A Canadian Maple Syrup.
Washed down with fresh squeezed orange juice and a nice fresh brewed mug of Joe (coffee).
Now that's eating like an international Country King.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
Here we have my famous American Style Pancakes, served with real salted melting butter, grade A Canadian Maple Syrup.
Washed down with fresh squeezed orange juice and a nice fresh brewed mug of Joe (coffee).
Now that's eating like an international Country King.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
The Right Tool For The Job.
I am often asked what is my favourite gun????
I answer this quite easily.
I always say use the right size hammer to hit the right size nail in the hole.
I wouldn't use a 308 for rabbit control now would I.
Also Shotgun V Air Rifle for crop protection????
Now the Shotgun can be put to great use as can the air rifle.
This particular day we had several shooting club members protecting crops in the area, this kept the birds moving.
I was on a small field of crops very NR houses, a main road and next to a horse paddock.
The tool for the job here was The Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter, with 4 decoys and no hide just say in the hedge line shooting off the primos trigger sticks.
Nice and quiet with no obtrusive bangs of the shot gun, this was a good test of not only my Marksmanship skills but my decoying skills too.
So there's my answer, choose the right tool for the job in hand.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
I am often asked what is my favourite gun????
I answer this quite easily.
I always say use the right size hammer to hit the right size nail in the hole.
I wouldn't use a 308 for rabbit control now would I.
Also Shotgun V Air Rifle for crop protection????
Now the Shotgun can be put to great use as can the air rifle.
This particular day we had several shooting club members protecting crops in the area, this kept the birds moving.
I was on a small field of crops very NR houses, a main road and next to a horse paddock.
The tool for the job here was The Air Arms S510 Ultimate Sporter, with 4 decoys and no hide just say in the hedge line shooting off the primos trigger sticks.
Nice and quiet with no obtrusive bangs of the shot gun, this was a good test of not only my Marksmanship skills but my decoying skills too.
So there's my answer, choose the right tool for the job in hand.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
A Day of Two Halves.
An old farming friend asked me to pop along to see what the shooting club boys could do about a feral pigeon and rat problem in one of his grain barns, before this year's harvest.
Whilst there could I pop over and look at Pappy's Meadow there were alot of pigeons hitting the wheat, I have arranged to go back properly and clear the grain barn with some of my young sports and other fellows from my shooting club.
I popped out on the crop for not even an hour, just me Goose and Tilly my cocker spaniels, an old school side by side shotgun, a box of cartridges, sat bolt upright on a flight line, we picked up a few more than in the pic and I still had half a box of cartridges left, I have arranged to go back and decoy it properly.
The evening was spent at a very dear old friends riding arena clearing some rabbits, Big Mike Joined me with his new toy a 22lr, he had alot of fun using it and here with his personal bag after 2 hours, again we have arranged to go back again soon.
All in all a truly wonderful day of 2 halves.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
An old farming friend asked me to pop along to see what the shooting club boys could do about a feral pigeon and rat problem in one of his grain barns, before this year's harvest.
Whilst there could I pop over and look at Pappy's Meadow there were alot of pigeons hitting the wheat, I have arranged to go back properly and clear the grain barn with some of my young sports and other fellows from my shooting club.
I popped out on the crop for not even an hour, just me Goose and Tilly my cocker spaniels, an old school side by side shotgun, a box of cartridges, sat bolt upright on a flight line, we picked up a few more than in the pic and I still had half a box of cartridges left, I have arranged to go back and decoy it properly.
The evening was spent at a very dear old friends riding arena clearing some rabbits, Big Mike Joined me with his new toy a 22lr, he had alot of fun using it and here with his personal bag after 2 hours, again we have arranged to go back again soon.
All in all a truly wonderful day of 2 halves.
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
As the saying goes, Only Mad Dogs and Englishmen Go Out In The Mid Day Sun, by golly this has been a hot month but we soldiered on, but I must say both me and the dogs waited mostly for the cooler evening than the day time as we strapped ourselves to a fan each.
I hope you have enjoyed this months humble scribbles as much as I have enjoyed remembering them and writing them.
Until next time may i wish you all a safe and happy month ahead.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
June The Month Of The Tropical Sun.
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
I hope you have enjoyed this months humble scribbles as much as I have enjoyed remembering them and writing them.
Until next time may i wish you all a safe and happy month ahead.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
June The Month Of The Tropical Sun.
By The Ole Hedge Creeper
www.theolehedgecreeper.co.uk
RSS Feed
