My wife and I went along with the Wednesday night group to try yet again to see this elusive quarry. We had met in Chorley and two car loads traveled to the farm where we had been told our ambition would be realised. After parking in the farmyard, we clambered over a steep ladder stile, then up a small hill, over a short footbridge and then towards a hide. This was in a small, steep, wooded valley.

On our approach, our pulses were set racing by a tantalising view of three badgers. With our emotions telling our feet to rush, and our logic and age (for me at least) telling them to slow down, we made our way into the hide. It was just large enough for eight people and had large viewing windows. It also seemed to take on the atmosphere of a cathedral, with the trees resembling pillars, the leaf canopy shielding the evening sunlight, creating shadows and mysterious dark corners, and everyone whispering.

The man, who had shown us where to go, had prepared the ground earlier by putting down some peanuts at the entrance to a number of holes. Suddenly some activity - a grey squirrel. After a further period of waiting, we saw the nose and then the head of a wood mouse. He continued to taunt us for a while. Then, with a great deal of snuffling and chomping, one, then another two, badgers ambled into view. We were all mesmerised. At least twice, they disappeared quickly down one of the holes as if something was spooking them. Then one of the badgers decided to take matters into his own hands - sorry - paws! He rushed at one of the bushes and we then saw what had been the problem. It was a juvenile fox. He was very casual. He sat looking at us, pretending to eat, then looking again. Slowly, he made his way towards the hide, and at one time seemed to be almost within touching distance, but then disappeared.

We soon found out where he had gone - round the back of the hide to look in through the door. He probably went home to tell his family that he now had humans on his 'tick list'! As usual with our outings, the time passed too quickly and we all wended our way home thrilled with our evening.