Midlands Meet May 2008

[firecrest]

So its still starting 16th right? I remember you saying you had trouble with the dates a bit back. I booked the friday off work so Im committed now!

decorum - hammock
wallenstein - tent
Scrumpy + Scrumpy jr - amuks + Mrs Scrumpy - Tent

Cobweb + Bramble + 2 littleuns (total 4) - hammocks -
Archery: 4
Spit Roast: hunk of pork(most likely)/carrots/parsnips/potatoes.

WhichDoctor - tent
Bodge + 1 or 2 kids - floor and or hammocks.
T1tch - Hammock
Bushcraft bailey - hammock (poss 1 kid - Tent)
Mesquite - tent (if there's room for a Newbie)
woodstock - hammock and tarp
PJ McBear - Hammock/tundra/bivi - weather dependant.
Wayland - Hammock and mega tarp probably.
Gwhtbushcraft - hammock + Dad - tent
Maverick Moocher - hammock or bivi
firecrest /bloke - 1 tent

 

[decorum]

..... its still starting 16th right? .....

It's still on for the 16 - 18. There are various bods who have other commitments that may cause them to be in and out over the weekend. At the moment it looks as if I'll now be ok to stay on site until about 9 a.m on the Saturday - I'll then return in the early afternoon.

 

[firecrest]

Question - Spit roast - does everybody bring something?

 

[firecrest]

Question 2 - Is alcohol allowed on premesis?

 

[decorum]

Question - Spit roast - does everybody bring something?

Feel free to bring something to add to the roast. At previous Meets there have also been share and share-a-like opportunities (like Staffordshire Oatcakes )

Question 2 - Is alcohol allowed on premesis?

Yes, alcohol is allowed - but it's quite a trek to the loo




As a side note to firecrest's question:

Having had a minor problem at a previous Meet (not caused by a BcUK member!) I would ask that alcohol is consumed in a responsible manner. And remember: Cutting tools and alcohol/hangovers definately don't mix!

 

[WhichDoctor]

It's looking like I'll be able to come after all , if I do it will probably just be for the Saturday and Sunday.

 

[Wayland]

Sorry, a few practical questions before I pack my kit.

Fireboxes rather than open fires I presume?

Do you need me to bring any heavy campfire equipment for the roast or anything else?

What type of forestry is the site, coniferous, deciduous, mixed?

What is the ground like, sandy, peaty?

What's the firewood situation like?

What time can we arrive on site Friday?

 

[decorum]

Hi Wayland,

Sorry, a few practical questions before I pack my kit.

Good'uns too!

Fireboxes rather than open fires I presume?

Both can be used. The pitch we're on is the site's bushcrafting area - as long as we're responsible with size, placement and tidy-ups (and don't have one per person) we'll be ok.

Do you need me to bring any heavy campfire equipment for the roast or anything else?

After the problems we had with the first spit-roast that would be a very good idea (and a very generous one, too) - what would you suggest?

What type of forestry is the site, coniferous, deciduous, mixed?

The site is a mix of Ancient and Semi-Natural and Ancient Replanted woodland and is mixed – There is also a SSSI which shares its borders with the S/E corner of the site

What is the ground like, sandy, peaty?

The site is predominently clay - but the area that we're on has a good vegetative mulch - and, at the moment, an abundance of bluebells too.

What's the firewood situation like?

There's a good quantity of hanging dropped branches and standing dead wood - and a bit of felled and logged wood too.

What time can we arrive on site Friday?

What time would be best for you?

 

[firecrest]

I bought me tent today. Im afraid I went for an argos cheapo one (the cheapest infact) because I dont have the money or expertise to invest in a good one at the moment I figured I might as well get something as close to disposable as possible.
I also bought a small camp stove and then bought the wrong canister. Im such a n00b! well we all got to start somewhere, Ill be eager to learn some tips if anyone has time
On the upside, I made a really good bannock today. At least I think it was bannock, lets say I guessed at a recipe and made something that turned out to be a bread like thing.

 

[woodstock]

I bought me tent today. Im afraid I went for an argos cheapo one (the cheapest infact) because I dont have the money or expertise to invest in a good one at the moment I figured I might as well get something as close to disposable as possible.
I also bought a small camp stove and then bought the wrong canister. Im such a n00b! well we all got to start somewhere, Ill be eager to learn some tips if anyone has time

I have a few bits you can have to get you going I.ve got a cook set +bits of cammo gear depending on your size I think I may also have a spare fire steel you can have .I know what its like when money is tight and as you say we all start somewhere but we all end up in the same place........with too much gear that we seldom use

 

[Wayland]

What time would be best for you?

I'll probably set out early but with traffic as it is on Friday I guess it'll be 10am before I get there.

I'll just chuck a load of iron work in the van and we'll sort out what we need for cooking when I'm down there. Will we need any cauldrons?

 

[Wallenstein]

Quick follow-up re. camp fires... would anyone mind if I joined them around their fire?

I'm going to be in and out over the weekend, so won't be able to maintain my own fire.

I'll be mainly cooking on my trusty trangia, but it'd be great to see how proper open fire camp cooking is done at close hand

 

[decorum]

I'll probably set out early but with traffic as it is on Friday I guess it'll be 10am before I get there.

O.k, no problem

I'll just chuck a load of iron work in the van and we'll sort out what we need for cooking when I'm down there. Will we need any cauldrons?

The only meal (that I can think of) which would require a cauldron is the chilli and, as far as I'm aware, that's sorted.

Quick follow-up re. camp fires... would anyone mind if I joined them around their fire?

I'm going to be in and out over the weekend, so won't be able to maintain my own fire.

I'll be mainly cooking on my trusty trangia, but it'd be great to see how proper open fire camp cooking is done at close hand

At previous Meets we've had a single, communal, fire (but it's not an issue if there is more than one) where food tends to be shared out for others to try. And, if there is more than one, you'll be welcome around mine - and I suspect that most, if not all, would echo the thought.

 

[Mesquite 2]

I'll be aiming to get there around lunch time rather than battle the rush hour traffic.

Will we need any cauldrons?

Wayland, would it be possible to for me use a small cauldron for cooking with? I know I said I've got a SS pot but it'd be nice to try cooking in a cast iron cauldron.

(|Folks, please note this is a new secondary name as there's probs accessing the forum with my main name atm)

 

[decorum]

Hi Scrumpy,

I might be able to get a muntjack for the spit roast, I'm not promising anything but if I get one in the next couple of weeks I'll let you know, if you lot want one? or would you prefer pork? I don't mind either way.

Any news on this yet?

 

[Scrumpy]

Embarrassingly nothing as of yet, typical really, trip over the bloody things when you don't want one.... I might end up bringing a wheel barrow full of rabbits!
There is a specialist butcher not far from me, I'll bring something nice one way or another.

 

[decorum]

Embarrassingly nothing as of yet, typical really, trip over the bloody things when you don't want one.....

An emotion I know all too well. You mention a technique that has never failed and irony steps in and makes a nail for the coffin!

 

[firecrest]

I bought me tent today. Im afraid I went for an argos cheapo one (the cheapest infact) because I dont have the money or expertise to invest in a good one at the moment I figured I might as well get something as close to disposable as possible.
I also bought a small camp stove and then bought the wrong canister. Im such a n00b! well we all got to start somewhere, Ill be eager to learn some tips if anyone has time

I have a few bits you can have to get you going I.ve got a cook set +bits of cammo gear depending on your size I think I may also have a spare fire steel you can have .I know what its like when money is tight and as you say we all start somewhere but we all end up in the same place........with too much gear that we seldom use

Thanks woodstock! any bits and bobs will be much appreciated. I got accepted onto a masters degree a few weeks ago you see (something I applied to only a couple of weeks before!) so my money is short because Im going to have to save everything to plough into the rediculous fees. I was suprised to find there is absolutely no funding available for masters degrees.
Youre right though, I know ill end up with too much gear because im scared of finding im short of something so i want to buy and take things `just in case` Im alreasy bringing two stoves - a bargain £10 triangia meth stove from the army shop and a cheap gas one. I need to find out which one is best for my needs.

 

[WhichDoctor]

One quick question, what is the deal with toilets, drinking water? This will be my first time camping on a none touristy site so am not quite sure what to expect.

Thanks

 

[Bodge]

One quick question, what is the deal with toilets, drinking water? This will be my first time camping on a none touristy site so am not quite sure what to expect.

Thanks

There is a toilet block a few minutes walk away, and drinking water taps at various locations around the site.http://www.roughclose.org.uk/p_Site_Map.ikml

The toilets are near to reception and I believe we will be pitching camp at pc11 site on the bottom right on the map.

HTH

Bodge