Base Camp One stood at the top of the curving track once used to bring stone down from the quarry. A flat and even area of no more than 20' squ covered in bluebells and wild garlic, it faces to the west and overlooks the roof of the cottage below. Looking across the river valley it's level with the lane running parallel to our road, the tree line is just above that and then just sky. There's a substantial beech tree, a younger one, two mature oaks and a large hawthorn. These trees are handily placed apart to make good places to stretch tarps and the hammock between them. The ground behind slopes upwards in a steep gradient to the top of the hill, covered in wild garlic, orchids and bluebells. The trees are mostly beech and ash. There are 2 concrete block water tanks once used to provide water for the cottage. The inlet pipes are blocked but we will try to get the water flowing into the tanks again at some point. The area was Jarvis-proofed last year with hazel hurdles forming an effective enclosure to stop him letting his nose lead him through our neighbour's adjacent woods to goodness knows where.
How to rebuild Base Camp One.
Step One - get a chair and table up there, sit down and admire the view.
Step Two - abandon the chair for a comfy rest against the beech tree with the dogs and think about what needs to be done. Have a nap whilst visualising the new structure.
Step Three - to be continued.
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