Adventure & Overland Show 2019

Well, yesterday found me at Stratford on Avon Racecourse for the 2019 Adventure & Overland Show. Lots of cool vehicles with roof tents all set up for adventures to drool over although a bit disappointing as there were no where near as many exhibitors as I expected.

Wasn't expecting to see a Freelander 2 all set up for overland travel but here it is showing just what can be done with a "small" Landrover.

There were a few new roof tents on display, really liked this one although I don't think my credit card would have been so keen!

Thought I'd take a shot of this for my sister & brother-in-law, an overland ready Discovery!

One company was exhibiting South African manufactured expedition trailers, I do wonder how these would perform in some of the more technical off road situations.

Finally a picture for my good friend Simon who is currently working on a military lorry conversion (as well as a Defender 110).

Lots of cool stuff but sadly (due to circumstances beyond our control) too expensive at the moment, anyone know the going rate for a kidney? 😄

Another birthday jaunt

March 2019 saw us in Scotland again for my birthday, 51 now & feeling all of about 90!

We only went for a week this year so no marathon drives up to the North East Highlands for us, a more gentle excursion to Dumfries & Galloway where we rented a fantastic cottage right on the beach (the photo below is through the kitchen door out onto the deck) in Drummore on the Mull of Galloway.

Just off to the right of the beach was this small tidal harbour, apparently this was originally constructed by the MOD for target towing vessels but now is home to a small inshore fishing fleet.

As ever Murphy (& of course Mrs Labrador) loved the beach!

This was a special treat for me. Mrs Labrador made me one of my favourite cakes, a Simnel Cake complete with 13 mini eggs , well it's almost nearly Easter...

There is a bit of a story behind this photo. Mrs Labrador likes to be photographed next to giant "things", Paul Bunyan in Minnesota & a giant knife in Delsbo, Sweden. On a previous trip to Burns' birthplace, Alloway in Ayrshire, I took a photo of Mrs Labrador by this "wee cowering timerous beestie" but then lost the picture when I changed my phone so, we couldn't visit Alloway again & not get the shot! Well could we?

The Solway tides were interesting too. On the Friday before we came home we returned to the cottage to find a high spring tide lapping at the bottom of the garden (the tide hadn't come to within 50 or so yards of the garden on previous days)

& then, low tide looked like someone had pulled the plug out!

& finally a couple of "arty" sunset shots, enjoy!

Summer 2018, unseasonably hot weather & forest fires.

Summer 2018 was a memorable summer at Munch's Hideaway for reasons that somewhat restricted our summer activities & gave us more than a few worries. Sweden was suffering from some enormous forest fires in Halsingland, Jamtland & Darlana caused by a prolonged period of drought & hot weather. The forests were tinder dry & communities close to the fires were at the mercy of the changing winds. Luckily the fires stayed some distance from Munch's Hideaway but it did cause us sufficient concern that we didn't remove the roof-box from the car for the whole period we were in Sweden in case we had to make a quick dash for safety!

As it was, we remained safe & the drought only restricted our campfire cooking & made fly-fishing for trout in the lakes pretty much pointless.

The weather & distant fires did give us some interestingly coloured sunset skies

& Murphy enjoyed quite a few swims to cool off!

Swedes do find some odd places to leave a boat......

& Sarah found some Rasberries to pick close to Simmesjon.

In August Sweden lifted the restriction on BBQs as long as you were in your garden & had water to hand. We ran a hose pipe to the fire-pit/BBQ as soon as we heard as Sarah had been having outdoor cooking withdrawl!

Not many Moose sightings this year but we managed to get this shot of a pair in the half-light on the way to Simmesjon.

We also had a visit from this Roe Deer in the field behind Munch's Hideaway.

It was still hot well into August although Murphy doesn't need an excuse to swim....

& we found shrubby Juniper growing wild by the lake.

Eventually the restrictions on camp-fires in your garden were lifted &, along with the now requisite hose-pipe Sarah was truly happy (although Murphy prefers the lake)!

We took a trip to Jarvzoo before we left Munch's Hideaway to come back to the UK. Both the wolves & the bears were quite obliging & photogenic!

North of the border......

……..up Lairg-in-March way!

I turned fifty this year, St. Patrick's Day to be precise so Sarah, Murphy & I celebrated (or commiserated) with two weeks in the Highlands researching potential places for our retirement staying in a lovely cottage overlooking the Kyle of Sutherland.

We ate like kings & queens. Sarah surpassed herself yet again, we ate (Roe)Venison two different ways, some amazing steaks & lots of Haggis for breakfast!

We had a few trips out too...….

Loch Shin looked fantastic with snow on the mountains in the distance...….

…..& Murphy loved the beach at Achmelvich Bay close to Lochinver.

On the way back to Lochinver we spotted this deer in a small lochan right next to the road.....

…...& then a couple of stags enjoying the sun.

Another day, another loch...….

…...& then on to John O' Groats!

Trout & About!

Last fishing trip of 2017 saw me float tubing one evening on Lillsjon which is a lake to the east of the Ljusnan close to Arbra

This lovely Rainbow Trout took a mini muddler off the surface as the fly landed amongst some small reeds

Having promised Mrs Labrador smoked trout for ages I couldn't disappoint her & the trout didn't disappoint either after a short spell in the hot smoker!

.......and finally, a gratuitous arty shot of a duck on Lillsjon!

Well it's about time for a cooking post...........

Summer 2017 at Munch's Hideaway was unashamedly all about food, well food cooked outdoors on our own evolving fire-pit.

Our first meal was cooked on the ground level fire-pit but we had designs on a minor change that proved to be a major improvement........

A raised gravel bed which means the fire-pit is now level & it reduces the occurrence of back-ache!

Obligatory arty-farty fire shot!

Chef Sarah & Murphy making mayhem!

Another meal, another location, grill-a-korv by a local lake

The best way to cook a steak......

.....& counterfeit cassoulet in cast iron!

And finally, not forgetting steak, vegetables & a wild mushroom & stilton sauce.