The thrills and spills of recon

RICHARD NEGUS IS A PROFESSIONAL HEDGE LAYER AND WRITER. HE IS A KEEN WILDFOWLER AND HAS A PASSION FOR GREY PARTRIDGES

But it’s essential that I teach him the importance of good reconnaissance,” I pleaded to my wife. My son, Charlie, stood next to me, eyes wide, hands cupped before him in the position of supplication. I sensed a maternal softening. “Well, you can go, but you won’t catch me on that thing. I’d be sick.” With this less than fulsome agreement given, the boy and I booked a trip on the Coastal Voyager.

His mates Georgina, Charlotte and Eleanor had cried off to go crabbing, which left only the boy and I as sole participants in an excursion