I grew up in the northern suburbs of Cardiff, a large city and major seaport. Despite this I spent most of my young days deep in the countryside. After breakfast I would walk the two and a half miles to the top of the Wenalt, a bracken clad hill backed by extensive woodlands which stretched for miles. From its summit on a fine day I could see clear across the Bristol Channel to England. My days were spent tree climbing, tickling trout in the stream and catching grass snakes, slow worms and lizards. Immersing myself in the environment I discovered a great deal about the natural world through observation, soaking up information like a sponge and then reading voraciously to learn more.

To my shame I also collected birds eggs as a very young boy and developed a feel for finding well camouflaged nests, something which helped me when it came to constructing my own dens in the woods. I did not realise at the time that I was building a skills set I would apply in my later career as a soldier, as seen in the photograph below.

Emerging from a hide at the edge of a forest on a NATO exercise. 1980s.

To say I was fortunate is a huge understatement. I enjoyed a freedom that many young kids today may never experience. Was life much simpler in those days as I believe or is my nostalgia somewhat rose tinted, what do you think? 

Stuart Pereira 22/08/2023