Transition

We have made a move back to Staffordshire, we have to make the transition from summer to winter equipment. It is a chore that neither of us enjoy, but because space in the truck is somewhat restricted we have to do this at least twice a year. Any summer weight clothing gets ousted and replaced with more seasonal items. We put in larger electric heaters and a few electric cooking devices, we will be paying for electric hook ups now and so we use it. Our movements usually get more restricted at this time of year because hard standing also becomes a priority, three and a half tons on wet grass with front wheel drive can get entertaining, particularly after being in one spot for more than a day. We learnt long ago to always carry and park on heavy duty rubber mats, it can often provide enough traction to move out of the depressions in the ground caused by the wheels in order to get moving and when the ground is very wet we have used them to slowly lay tracks until firmer ground is reached.

The trout season is coming to an end and so my fishing excursions will be to target Grayling instead, I have tied a few new flies in preparation. This year I need to review the internal lighting in the truck, our ageing eyes struggle in all but the best light, to do close work and given both of our hobbies this can be restricting.

There are good points about being out through the winter, everywhere is generally quieter, the views open up with less foliage about and we usually see more wildlife as a result. Access to the river banks is less of a struggle and the atmosphere seems crisper for photography. So, with October round the corner and Christmas a few weeks away, we hope to be ready.