Some things can never be bettered?

[tigris115]

When I was in SA, nothing beat just letting myself decompress on the porch of my lodge and taking in the sounds of nature.

 

[WAB]

Stalking red deer stags in the Highlands of Scotland and ending the day with a dram of malt whisky in a hot bath. It makes you realise that you are just the latest in a very long line of hunters who have enjoyed this unique experience.

You’ve hit on one of the best. I had my first dram in Alyth after a long day on the hill. That must be 30 years ago now. How passions are born!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

There's the classic cartridges.

Three rock fire and some cast iron to cook dinner.

But I think the one thing from the past that they just plain got right and that really really hasn't been bettered is gin after the evening hunt.

@Bert the Turtle
You can enjoy your gin mate but to me it a nice Bundy rum, but that's my choice.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’ve recently started to carry a cartridge slide on a belt for quick hunts in the afternoon. I have ordered a Von Gruff knife too.

@CBH Australia
What von gruff did you order mate. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with it.
Bob

 

[JLF]

Dig a fox cave as a rook in winter time.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Stanley metal flasks, Opinel wooden pocket knives with the circlip lock, a cut crystal glass for your G&T or Scotch that you take with packed carefully in your socks. A canvas and leather bag to pack in. Rich leather anything. Jerry cans.

@Kevin Peacocke
Ah the good old Opinel, cheap simple, wickedly sharp.
Bob

 

[R.M.C.]

Hell yeah Velo Dog ! Great list!!

 

[fourfive8]

The best "things" can be either tangible or abstract. Hemingway touched on the abstract in much of his material. So did Bell in some ways. As I've read through these posts many remind me of more and more of the best of the best. I have come to the realization that there may may be no "best"... just so many "impossible to better".

Some Africa sounds come to mind. The drumming of Ground Hornbills as they leave the roost in early morning and the loudness of a lion that I find impossible to describe to those who have never heard it. The impossible to describe broken water whistle sound of hyenas. An Alaska sound that is permanent to me is the very unique call of the Willow Ptarmigan rolling over the tundra in the spring.

The sight and feeling as you approach camp in pitch dark and see the first glimpses of the staff's small camp fires and lanterns flickering through the forest thickets or scrub bush. I think not only Hemingway described that impression but others as well. So small but so indelible.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

FYI hey are available in Australia too. Never picked one up but I’ve see them for sale and they are not that expensive either.
Isn’t here an Okape or something like that common In Africa?

@CBH Australia
Chris spend 30 bucks and get one you won't be disappointed. Easy to sharpen and stay wickedly sharp for ages. Not as nice as a Von Gruff but you won't care if you drop it or misplace it. Chuck it in the work ute and you will always have a sharp knife at hand.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My old standby Opinel. The knife you have that's there just in case.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The first time you experience a proper shave from a skilled barber.

The sound of hounds opening just coming day light on a frosty morning.

Watching foxes hunt field mice completely unaware your up a tree above them.

The first night of the year you hear peeper frogs.

The look an old lab gives you when she has to get on back of the truck so your girlfriend can have the passenger seat.

@Skinnersblade
You old softie and romantic but don't worry mate your gruff exterior is safe we won't tell anyone what your like.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My personal favorites are :
> Side by Side double barreled shot guns
> Early Buck Model 110 knives with the 440 C blades
> Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 bolt rifles
> Winchester Silver Tip soft point cartridges
> The .30-06 Springfield caliber
> Eley 12 Bore shot gun cartridges
> The .375 Holland & Holland magnum caliber
> Solid metal covered lead cored “ Full Metal Jacket “ bullets
> Early 1 piece compression formed Winchester 12 Bore shot gun cartridges
> Silk Suspenders / Braces for trousers
> Brook’s Brothers Oxford Cotton Button Down dress shirts ( The early 1s with the roomy fit and breast pocket )
> Wool flannel pleated dress trousers
> Rare cheese burgers
> A & W root beer
> Ice Cream Sodas with malt
> Kentucky Fried Chicken “ Original Recipe “
> Texas barbecued beef brisket
> Pate De Foie Gras
> Beef prime rib
> New Haven white clam pizza
> Stout Beer
> Old Monk Rum
> American Cadillac cars
> Straight razors
> Driven hunts
> Hunting dangerous game at night , over torch light .

@Major Khan
My dear friend it would have been easier to list the things you dididnt like.
There's a lot to be said for the simple things in life
To me it's sitting around a good campfire with good like minded friends a nice rum and reminiscing about the day and past and future hunts.
The main thing that can never be bettered is the love o f a good woman and children that enjoy your passion.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Whining gears and a roaring diesel of a heavy loaded truck coming out of the woods.

@Newboomer
Mate I've had enough of whining gears and old road ranger gearboxes with roaring diesels especially the screeming V8 Detroit's like the 8V92TTA to do me a life time but they were good days.
Bob

 

[Jon Glajchen]

@Major Khan
My dear friend it would have been easier to list the things you dididnt like.
There's a lot to be said for the simple things in life
To me it's sitting around a good campfire with good like minded friends a nice rum and reminiscing about the day and past and future hunts.
The main thing that can never be bettered is the love o f a good woman and children that enjoy your passion.
Bob

I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments. It’s much easier to list dislikes than the vast list of pleasures experienced when in the bush or hunting, none more so than experiencing the same pleasures in the company of good friends and family.To me the ability to have your child hunting with you and sharing the special moments is close to unbeatable. In my case my son now resides in Australia and the logistics and effort in getting him here to hunt make the occasion that much more valuable to me.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Tent made with canvas and a rope crossed from one tree to another and the fuel lantern ... wood fire of the place and lighting a good cigar to spend the night inside the jungle ... Something priceless that I do not change for the best hotel of the world.

@JLF
It seems strange in all our memories we seem to forget all the insects attracted to the light, the biting of the mosquitoes and other bugs. The food burnt when we forgot about it and the times spent freezing our arse off in a waterlogged tent after a massive winter downpour wouldn't let uses light a fire.
Despite all this they are all fond memories.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments. It’s much easier to list dislikes than the vast list of pleasures experienced when in the bush or hunting, none more so than experiencing the same pleasures in the company of good friends and family.To me the ability to have your child hunting with you and sharing the special moments is close to unbeatable. In my case my son now resides in Australia and the logistics and effort in getting him here to hunt make the occasion that much more valuable to me.

@Jon Glajchen
Where in Australia does your son reside
Bob

 

[Jon Glajchen]

@Jon Glajchen
Where in Australia does your son reside
Bob

He lives in Melbourne, left South Africa about eleven years ago to study at Melbourne university and stayed. He’s now an Australian citizen and loves it there. I think it’s the best decision he’s ever made! Bittersweet though I miss him more than he can imagine.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I love trees. The shape and form of them and the memories they evoke with their distinctive smell. The baobab is the great icon of the lowveld obviously, but the kigelia with its crimson flowers and hanging sausages has a special place. Every leopard I have ever seen up a tree was in a kigelia. Once a long time ago whilst brewing tea on a little Gaz stove under a sausage tree one fell and landed plum in the metal canister on the stove and pushed the whole burner stalk into the cylinder. How it didn't ignite I have no idea, but no more tea on that op!

 

[Zambezi]

The Selous Scouts
Camping at Matopos
Reaching the end of the fly belt in Kafue National Park
Hooking a monster tiger fish on the Zambezi.

 

[Donnachaidh]

I have so many happy memories of my time with a rifle, gun and rod. Some of the best were made even more special by being in the company of some of my dogs; hope they're waiting for me on the other side.