On the 19th of February this year, the view of the meadow changed for good, with the addition of a handmade Shepherd's Hut. This was to be a permanent ornament for the Meadow, something that will remain on the land for generations to come. The hut had been stored on a farm whilst we were waiting for a good day and enough of a crowd to help us transfer it to the meadow. As you can see, it's not road worthy on its own and although the journey through the village was to be a short one, we couldn't risk any mishaps!
So we had our crew ready. They consisted of family and friends - several four wheel drives and lots of towing! We needed Railway sleepers to transfer the hut across the marshy bits of the meadow (it was February after all) and we needed patience! (A lot of it)
And yes, we got stuck. There were occasions when it didn't look like we would make it and everybody stood around scratching their heads, looking at the sky and generally demanding to know WHY we were doing this.
And why were we doing this? Shepherds Huts have been around for years and years. You probably pass them out in the countryside and don't even realise they are there. I certainly didn't until we started hunting for them, then I see them everywhere nowadays! Their home is on the Meadow, they were, as the name suggests, intially used for Shepherds to stay in whilst they tended sheep. Now though, the modern day huts can be used for everything from a childs playroom to a guestroom out on a front lawn. Some are even mini hotels! So we wanted one, for the winter months. To use as a basis for wildlife photography, and perhaps make the odd hot drink here and there. It's a lot of effort for something seemingly so trivial, but I assure you, this Hut will be in use for a very long time!
Moving the hut was a mixture of spontaneity and planning - we planned, but nothing went according to our plans!! Using Railway Sleepers, both bought and dug up from the meadow ground, we managed it in the end!
So after moments of frustration, some of pure disbelief at the suggestions people were coming up with, we finally made it across the meadow, some three hours after beginning our journey - and managed to align the Shepherds hut where it needed to be. The ideal position was to have it overlooking the large lake, with beautiful views and a solid grounding this made perfect sense. And eventually we got there!
Situated right on the natural spring lake, the Hut looks like it was meant to be put there. In time, as it weathers and moulds to the ground that it stands on it will look as if had been on the land for many many years! We hope it will be a base for some fantastic Photography, with the opportunity to remain hidden from the plethora of wildlife that is attracted to the location.
Above: The Hut right after we had finished moving
it into place by the natural spring lake.
Above: The hut a few weeks ago - during the early
weeks of Summer.
Moving the hut was a mixture of spontaneity and planning - we planned, but nothing went according to our plans!! Using Railway Sleepers, both bought and dug up from the meadow ground, we managed it in the end!
