How’do! Well, after what has seemed like the longest three months of my life (an appendectomy; a case of influenza and a radical nephrectomy due to renal cancer - that’s all another story for another day in another place though!) it was wonderful to get back out on my syndicate ground just over in the Scottish Borders Saturday gone. One of my best friends had made the journey down from Kinloss to offer a bit of the moral and potentially physical support depending how I got on. Three months of lying around in hospital beds and with my backside attached to various sofas hadn’t really done the hill fitness or the waistline any good at all! With not too bad a start I headed over to the Game & Country Store at Selkirk which was to be our RV1 as my pal has his eye on a rather nice .270 they have in stock. A good gun room peruse followed by a quick bite to eat and 20 minutes or so drive to get out onto the ground. We arrived at 13:30. Due to the pick up being off the road (still 
) and a long story - which I won’t bore you with - about selling cars - I’ve “acquired” the services of my Mother’s old Mitsubishi Lancer estate - quite a good sized stalking vehicle but with all the odd road capabilities of a fat lad who’s had three months on the sick….
Trundling down the stoney hall road towards my intending forming up point I spotted what I was fairly sure was a roe feeding part way down a ride with a wee burn running through it. Quickly into reverse and back a few yards - handbrake applied - boot open - rifle out and loaded and onto the bipod resting on the roof of the car (joys of low Estate cars
) Indeed a young roe doe having a late lunch approx 120 metres down the way. She stood head on - apparently obvious to my presence. Watched for a few minutes hoping she’d turn and give me a decent shot - which - quite happily she did - and - at 13:43 - the day turned to success. Simple extraction back to the car and we finished our short journey to our parking location. Gear sorted and off for a stalk round the ground.
Everything was very quiet, the air still and cold. Brief flurries of snow appeared and you could noticeable feel the temperature dropping again. We continued on until I picked “something” up on the thermal. A few hundred meters off to one side - even through the binos - still a “something”. We got a little closer and confirmed - yes - another roe feeding in the distance. In the far distance but headed in our direction was a lady dog walker and two small dogs. It was now or never - take the shot whilst she was still well clear and away in a safe direction or accept that the dogs would likely see us and give the game away and lose the opportunity. Decision made - onto the stick and this time around 150 meters - but another successful stalk - down at 15:55. Extraction this time was slightly more difficult trekking through a recently harvested section back down to the haul road. We worked our way back to the vehicles. The snow was making quite an earnest appearance at this point. The light was starting to drop and as we returned and dealt with the carcass the decision was made to end ex and head home. Ultimately a flying but successful visit and one that did me the world of good. Suffering a little today though!
) and a long story - which I won’t bore you with - about selling cars - I’ve “acquired” the services of my Mother’s old Mitsubishi Lancer estate - quite a good sized stalking vehicle but with all the odd road capabilities of a fat lad who’s had three months on the sick….Trundling down the stoney hall road towards my intending forming up point I spotted what I was fairly sure was a roe feeding part way down a ride with a wee burn running through it. Quickly into reverse and back a few yards - handbrake applied - boot open - rifle out and loaded and onto the bipod resting on the roof of the car (joys of low Estate cars
) Indeed a young roe doe having a late lunch approx 120 metres down the way. She stood head on - apparently obvious to my presence. Watched for a few minutes hoping she’d turn and give me a decent shot - which - quite happily she did - and - at 13:43 - the day turned to success. Simple extraction back to the car and we finished our short journey to our parking location. Gear sorted and off for a stalk round the ground. Everything was very quiet, the air still and cold. Brief flurries of snow appeared and you could noticeable feel the temperature dropping again. We continued on until I picked “something” up on the thermal. A few hundred meters off to one side - even through the binos - still a “something”. We got a little closer and confirmed - yes - another roe feeding in the distance. In the far distance but headed in our direction was a lady dog walker and two small dogs. It was now or never - take the shot whilst she was still well clear and away in a safe direction or accept that the dogs would likely see us and give the game away and lose the opportunity. Decision made - onto the stick and this time around 150 meters - but another successful stalk - down at 15:55. Extraction this time was slightly more difficult trekking through a recently harvested section back down to the haul road. We worked our way back to the vehicles. The snow was making quite an earnest appearance at this point. The light was starting to drop and as we returned and dealt with the carcass the decision was made to end ex and head home. Ultimately a flying but successful visit and one that did me the world of good. Suffering a little today though!
