Since I run my main blog, I thought that it would be a good idea just to do a round up at theend of the month on here.

I've been lucky enough to get out nearly every weekend this month with two weekend meets and a weekend spent in my local woods. June started wet and miserable as I went to the East Sussex meet. I tried out the new snugpak stratosphere bivi bag which was OK but it did confirm my thoughts that I prefer tree dwelling. I also don't like being closed in at all so the hooped affair on the bag, although a good idea for some, didn't really suit me.

I've tried out some other new kit this month. I took delivery of an Aussie hotchie. Not sure this is exactly the same as the Mears one, but it was certainly cheaper by twenty quid and does the trick. This is smaller than my Tatonka 3 x 3 and ideal for summer or closed in woods.

For the first time in years I've also tried out a gas burner. The tiny Optimus Crux folds down to fit in the bottom of a 250grm gas canister and I was impressed by the speed, cleanliness and weight. This is ideal for when I want to go a bit lighter.

I've been trying out a leuku puuku combination from Jaavenpaa. I'm impressed with the way these two sit together in a combi sheath, but the stainless steel doesn't suit my needs. I was turning the edge over regularly so I've since replaced the leuku with a carbon steel Stromeng leuku and kept the original stainless puuku for lighter work or food prep.

The highlight of the month wildlife wise was getting close to some six Fox cubs. I also saw a lapwing chick hidden in some mud ruts and four badgers. Some fallow deer woke me at six in the morning no more than 20 yards away from my bivi in my local woods by barking and stamping their feet trying to get me to move. All these sightings were captured on camera and video which made great viewing. The most successful track was seeing what was almost certainly otter tracks along a river bank at the Reading meet. The tracks ended up with a kill site involving a signal crayfish. Only the claw was left.

Late June and my favourite insects are out and about. The top pic is an aptly named Beautiful demoiselle and below a four-spotted chaser. I love watching the way these prehistoric creatures perform the aerial battles and complex manoevering. It's not easy identifying the smaller species and you have to look very carefully at the markings.