continuing......
Friday morning arrived and because I was on holiday a lie in in my hammock was needed and enjoyed (dull head also perscribed it) I finally got up at half past severn and made myself a morning coffee (admittedly instant but tiger tiger coffee is nice and strong for a 3 in 1) and sorted out some breakfast and the rest of me soon got sorted.
Around half eight to nine I started my full investigations of what was on ofer at this years Gathering, some new stores were there and lots of old ones. I investigated further and spent alot of time over the day making purchases, chatting to friends, looking at lovely objects people had crafted and made a learning lots of stuff.
Over my wanderings a few shout outs have to be mentioned, Dunc had his normal knives and a fair few of his new parangs on show and offer, and along with Rob Evans who I also liked the look of his Skookum style blade which looks like more purchases later; the other blade showers in the main shed were good. On the lakeside there was our very own Sonni with beneath the stars leather work with some outstanding work (more later), Woodland trails and some excellent woodcarvers. I then moved onto the main arena and worked my way around. I had a long stop at the Nordic guys from Scotland and finally decided after much deliberation on a small hatchet from GB and the final decision was made easier after seeing LP had made it
it fitted my hand and felt good and means i have smallaxe that i can carry and use all day. I continued to work my way around and had a chat to a few other friends Dave was finally starting to dig his forge around three in the afternoon and Teresa was drawing a design for a new buckskin top, Chris that Cat who had been earlier working on the den building with Staurt wss back onit so i left with the kids, had spoken during my wanderings earlier. Then it was a trip to Endi's and a few purchases later i was happy earlier in the day Kev had been inundated with people requiring ponchos, bashas and waterproofs. I made my way to Ben Oford's stand some nice knives there to. Bison bushcraft run by Roger who runs the gathering had loadsof great stuff to ( a guide shirt and tweed bison hoody are firmly on the wishlist) Mark at Shark designs had also done a great talk on sharening and showed and proved his technique on my swiss army knife so that it is now push sharp
Also after my nordic outdoor axe purchase I hadgone back to Sonni and decided i needed one of his axe sheathes and belt loops for my new axe, he was jealous as he had one but it was not an LP
By the time I got back to my pitch i had another new neighbour Mark another Matelot and I was beginning to wander how close t the sea I was? we had a god conversation and aftera while I was cooking again, i made loads and so shared it with Mark and Jake and we talked for a while.
Wechated about various stuff and Dave Budds name had come up a couple of times and I told them I was off to man creche and asked iif they wanted to join me. three happy wanders headed down and the newbies were fully welcomed with forge water, a few of Staurts ales a couple of other pass rounds and lots of good conversations.......
tbc