A start to 2012...

I saw new year in at the field and stopped overnight.
Rather than the tent, I'd been given a 6ft x 4ft garden shed that was surplus and with a bit of reconditioning, adjusted it to fit across the width of the plant-trailer on skids.
Together with the large picnic bench, base-camp was set up and a grey-squirrel stew on the go over a camp fire.

From Meadowcopse 2012

A couple of visitors saw a mild and relaxed start to the New Year, the spring oak-leaf wine ensured a very relaxed and comfortable retirement to a fishing bed-chair and thermal sleeping bag.

Morning came and just enough time to re-light the fire for tea and biscuits and a short walk along the River Dee until torrents of rain curtailed much for the morning. Giving up it was back to the sleeping bag with a book and nodding off.

A knock at the door (a novelty for a field in the middle of nowhere) - an old friend from school bearing mince pies just as the rain ebbed away...
A fire going again once the rain held back, then warm mince pies and hot drinks and a walk around the river and fields looking at landscape features and some interesting ideas regarding its history and approaches to the castle and river crossings.

Another night camping - a touch of frost but followed by rain, so a good cooked breakfast for Monday mid-morning. Another riverside walk, with the river level having come up a bit higher but the ground not too wet underfoot.
Some minor hedgerow tidying and a small oak seedling discovered in full leaf.
A little bit of soil levelling and then the trailer loaded up for home.

From Meadowcopse 2012

Tuesday came with automated messages from the Environment Agency regarding rising River Dee flood levels, during the day things remained dry on the ground, but a grey damp and cold day for getting anything done.
For the evening I took the chance to attend the public Parish Council meeting - efficiently and sensibly conducted...

Wednesday saw about half of the field with water up to about 8 inches deep, not much to do with it until the river levels subside.

From Meadowcopse 2012