Recent content by old keeper

Again, continuing the "courting" couples theme. Over the many years I've been night shooting in this part of Devon, there have been many incidents of couples of varying gender mixes caught in the act. However, the one that I remember very vividly was when we were lamping in a very remote area on...

I once found a tortoise miles from anywhere. It lived for around fifty years in the garden.

I can still clearly remember my first fish, caught in the Thames at Datchet when I was about five. The war was on, so a trip out was a rarity. I think Dad knew as much about fishing as I did, so it was a bit hit and miss. I finally caught an extremely small roach, and I can still remember the...

Yes, to both. Hedgehogs in particular showed a marked increase in numbers. Now, once more, I'm finding their skins, so they won't last long. The incidence of BTB has started increasing once more, both totally predictable.

I saw on the news today that they have finally stopped issuing badger cull licences. What a farce that all was. Four years ago, we finished our very successful cull here. Now, badger numbers are almost back to what they were, pre-cull.

I pur mine on the woodbunerr on a rack in winter, and like BJ, in the sun in summer!

I got a Percussion reversible jacket and trousers from Deben Industries around thirty years ago, and they're still going strong. The jacket has seen a lot of wear and has faded a bit, but it's still okay.

It makes me wonder how my generation ever managed to survive the hot summers of the past. But somehow we managed without constant BBC directives to wear light clothing, drink lots of water and the real game-changer, find some shade. Headline news every day!

There was something on the news in the last few days about local people repairing their potholes. The roads around my village in Devon contain numerous pot holes, AKA death traps.

Ratting takes a bit of beating!

Has anyone been using one of these? If so, what do you think of it? There have been some good reviews, but an assessment from someone on here would be helpful.

Well done the Gunners!

The name of the motorcycle pundit (possibly Stere Parrish), whose car I'm pretty sure it was, had the somewhat questionable number plate PEN 1 S. That was at Donington when the great Carl Fogarty was racing.

My Grandson was somewhat bemused recently when I told him that when I moved to my new, and far better paid, job in 1965, my starting salary was £20 a week. I was married, with two children and had a mortgage. Hard to believe now. As a matter of interest, his first job had a starting salary of...

I've got a Wildcat in 25 cal. These are really good rifles and are ideal for carrying around in the vehicle. At £350 it's a steal.