28th Nov Shoot

Various photo's from our shoot on Saturday, 28th Nov 2009. After the previous day was cancelled due to heavy rain etc the onus was on to make up for the missed day. (Some of the pics taken by Roger). Everyone went home happy after a longish day as most of the drives were used although a couple proved a disappointment with Worthy Park a let down. May have to use that as the first drive on the next shoot to see if that makes a difference re birds shown. Apologies to David re the mud plastering of his Discovery.....

Revenge of the Duck!

Hmmm - could of been alot more serious!

Gorgeous Weather!

Picture taken whilst out in the New Forest on Saturday - under shelter of a few trees as a heavy rain front came across. Even the dogs were not keen on the wind assisted weather at that stage.

Wet and Windy

Instead of out shooting pheasants etc (day cancelled due to weather conditions) I took the bassets and cockers out in the forest.....the noise is the strong wind.

Country Watch

Below is a typical email that I get from the Country Watch scheme in Hampshire. Although it is difficult to keep up with the car reg plates that are reported this scheme is an important tool against theft and other ilegal activities that are taking place every day. It also brings to attention what those so called gypo's (far to polite a name for those wankers) are up to......


Dear All,

Between the 5th & 7th, an attempt was made to remove a wheel lock from a horse trailer at Compton

Overnight of the 9th & 10th, a van was broken into at Colden Common and items of plant equipment stolen. The items included a Stihl disc cutter, a JCB hydraulic breaker pack and gun, and a Bomag vibrator plate, model 18/45.

On the 9th, at approximately 3.30pm two males were disturbed in a field containing horses. The males are described as looking likefather and son, the elder one being white, aged mid 50's, 5ft 10ins,medium build, balding, wearing jeans and a dark jacket with white stripes on it.
The younger male is described as white, heavy build, 5ft 9ins tall, wearing a biege and black top.
When challenged by the caller, they stated they were looking for mushrooms.

On the 10th, 2 house burglaries occurred at rural premises at Twyford.


Vehicles to look out for.

A green Toyota Hilux, GP53TXG, seen acting suspiciously in the Horndean/Clanfield areas.

An Isuzu Trooper, 4x4, H826KFX, seen trying to drive onto the illegal traveller site at Abbotstone Down car park yesterday, 10.11.09 at midday.

A white Toyota Hilux, N476DBK, seen at Ovington, near Alresford, yesterday, 10.11.09, at 9.45am. Occupants described as two traveller looking types. The vehicle had a number of containers on the back, that looked as if they contained red diesel.

A blue/silver Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4 L252SGW. Stopped at Compton at 10.30pm, 10.11.09, by Police after the vehicle had been seen parked unattended near to the scene of a recent theft. A search was carried out, but nothing found. All the male occupants had very muddy footwear.
In relation to this, if any Countrywatch member from the Compton area has discovered anything amiss, please contact me.

I had cause to speak to the victim of a recent plant machinery theft, who informed me that he had told his insurance company of the theft, only to be told that he wasn't covered, as the theft occurred overnight! Apparently this was mentioned in the 'small print' of his policy.
Please check your insurance policies, and query it if necessary.

Part two - 31st Oct 2009

Various other pics from the day including the mid morning break of fresh bacon rolls cooked by Shelly on the camping stove. (Greg - best start planning as it is his turn for the refreshment goodies on the next shoot).

The day started damp and overcast but landed up warm and sunny. Considering the low attendance it was a good day with a good few birds in the dairy strip and also the farm/river strip and by the gods I actually managed to shoot a hen bird. My shooting with a 12 bore leaves alot to be desired but it can only improve (I hope)

Many thanks to the beaters, Keith, Ashley, Alistair and of course the days photographer/cook/beater, Shelly.

31st Oct - 2nd Shoot of season Part One

Just of few of the pictures taken by Shelly of our 2nd shoot of the season. Roger managed to land a cock bird into a tree that wedged itself in. Ashley was duly sent up said tree to make a retrieve but to no avail, (Keith needs to take Ashley on a few more training runs).

We were low on numbers including dogs with only Bud (Stick nicker) and Charlie (hasn't got off his bed since coming back home - well he is 11 and half years old! - this is his last season. If you look at the close up shot of the tree you can make out the cock birds head and beak.

Disco Welding

The disco on the ramp for its dose of welding so that it can pass the mot. This was the night before our second shoot so it was a relief that all went to plan. Kevin at MOT's Only was the magician with the welding torch.