Less of a perch, more of an armchair!

Yes, you heard correctly, an armchair!
That's the best way I can describe my new Sparton Cruiser float tube.
I spent an afternoon casting gold-headed nymphs & mini-muddlers on Simmesjon. Paired with my diving fins the Sparton Cruiser is a revelation, very comfortable to fish from, much quicker moving through the water than my old round tube &, best of all, so much easier to get in & out of (especially when you need a pee)!

Here it is, one tricked out float tube.

No trout this trip but a dozen assorted perch all caught (& returned) on the fly!

Update!
The deer have returned too! A roe doe munched her way around the hay field behind Munch's Hideaway before settling down in the small stand of trees in the middle.

Wierd Poo - an update!

Well it's official, it's (most likely) BEAR POO!!!!!!!!!!!

Talking to our neighbours, they have confirmed that bears are regularly sighted close to "Munch's Hideaway", two females have been seen with cubs along with a couple of young males.

(Unfortunately these are not the culprits of the poo but two cubs playing in their enclosure at Jarvzoo in 2010).

June 2011

I know, you can't believe just how imaginative I can be when I title a new post. What can I do, I'm middle aged, bald & according to the "Hairy Bikers", I'm a master "wok smuggler"!
Well, we've been back to Munch's Hideaway for another month of relaxing, fishing, wildlife watching & doing a few chores.
Being the spontaneous & exciting guy that I am, the first thing I did when I got there was to cut the grass, in my defence I find it relaxing after two & a half days driving & like most blokes I enjoy tinkering with machinery (aka the mower).

I remembered my salt-lick block this time &, as luck would have it, when I sited it at the bottom of the garden I found this on a small birch close to where I've put the block.

To me it looked like a Roe had been rubbing velvet from his antlers & had scored the bark.

I thought I'd check out a new fishing spot & took a drive out to Bergtjarn,

Cool!

I also fitted some kevlar skid plates to the "Nice Beaver". I decided to fit these as the canoe is there for anyone visiting Munch's Hideaway to use.

Not the easiest thing to do but, with lots of help from Mrs Labrador, & a blowtorch we got the plates fitted. Just need to take out some West System epoxy & filler powder next year to smooth out the edges.

Am I related to the new Robin Hood?

A few weeks ago, my nephew Harry competed in his first (NFAS) 3D field archery competition at Broadland Bowmen in Norwich. Well, as you can see from the following pictures, Harry has an amazing talent with a bow........

First, the practice butts,

Then onto the 3D course proper........

Harry was awarded a silver medal in his first ever competition & was only a handful of points away from a "Master Bowman" medal. Well done Harry, only a matter of time now before you're representing England at the World Champs!

Guess what, Bears!

Bears have been seen in our village, a mother with cubs.

This photo was taken close to Nytorp Naturbruksgymnasium in Arbra, we're hoping to get some shots closer to home!

Norfolk pigeons

In my quest for reasonably priced pigeon shooting without the need for a load of quasi-feudal cap doffing etc. I've found another fantastic opportunity which I thought I'd share. My search started with e-bay, I placed a bid & found myself with a day's roost shooting for £20.00!


I popped down to Norfolk yesterday & found myself in a fantastic piece of Norfolk woodland (I'd forgotten just how magical a Norfolk sporting estate wood can be) waiting for pigeons to come flighting in.

Now, I hear you say, roost shooting is traditionally a winter pursuit carried out at dusk when there's no foliage to obscure your view. Well normally it is, but, if you like difficult & exciting snap shooting give it a try!

Did I see pigeons? Yes.

Did I get some shots? Yes I did.

Did I connect with any birds? Sadly no - I think I need a few sessions at clays again!

Will I go again? Yes, although I may wait until they are offering decoying days again on e-bay.

Wedding Celebrations? Well not quite!

I must confess, although I live in the UK - a country that still has a constitutional monarchy - I have occasional republican leanings. It's only the thought of President Blair that reinforces my reluctant belief that the current status quo should be maintained.
Anyway, enough of that stuff because the Royal Wedding meant a bank holiday & a bank holiday means a trip to Sweden, the best of reasons to celebrate!

The snow had nearly gone (just a few patches where the sun hadn't got to), the sun was shining & I thought it was time I conquered my fear & got on the roof - just in case I need to fix anything up there.

The highlight of our weekend was a trip to Jarvzoo (well we have to use our season tickets). The day started out sunny but it soon started to snow. The wolves were out & obliged by standing close to the fence posing for photographs.

And their Brown Bear had given birth to a single cub during her winter hibernation (can you see it, look carefully). For those that have not seen sleeping bear cubs close up, they snore!

Can't wait for the next trip!