20th April 2003

I woke up a couple of times during the night, but finally got up about half eight. The others were just appearing as well. Jim had survived the night. After a few false starts he managed to get into his hammock in his sleeping bag. He had woken about seven thirty and had been for an explore.

We set to making breakfast; what a feast. Two eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms and black pudding set us up for the day. Mary's kitchen was once again used for the washing up - an excellent construction. It was then time for Matt to leave.

Brian and Mary returned to firewood duties whilst the rest of us went to finish the gates. Alan, Sue and Jo have gone to Salcombe today. The first job on the gates is to fit the hinges. Easy in theory. However the concrete hadn't set properly so the post still wobbled a bit. After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably a couple of hours, the gate was fitted and we returned to The Hollies for a break.

At about midday Brian and Mary departed as they had to pick up Sarah. Simon, Jim and myself headed to the North Gate to fit that. Second problem - the drill battery ran out! I had the brace and bit with me so we drilled the hole by hand. Second gate completed, we returned for a well-earned pint.

By 4 o'clock Simon and Jim were ready to leave, although they needed a jump-start to get the car going. The rest of the afternoon was spent mainly collecting firewood. However I did make Mary a Teamboard 'finger'. The first Lodgegate Wood product. It then started to drizzle so I cleared up the campsite as best I could and restocked the fire. I took shelter under the tailgate of the car.

Matthew rang about 20:15 to see how I was getting on. I told him the news of the day. I must ring Cathy in a minute to see how the party went. Its now getting decidedly chilly and the temperature is cooling down fast. As its stopped raining I shall go and sit by the fire until it gets either too cold or too dark. It feels like its going to be another cold night.