Midlands Meet May 2008

[Wallenstein]

SWMBO has invited my mother-in-law down this week, so by Friday I will be even more ready to escape to the woods!

I'll be arriving after work on Friday, probably about 5.30pm, can't wait.

Looks like the weather might be slightly cooler than this weekend, but hopefully we'll miss the heavy rain!

 

[decorum]

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

In addition to Bodge's answer - this map shows the various places that toilet and/or showers are available.
Using the map, our most esasily accessible water tap is on the south side of the Bill Clark Cabin on the Guild Field (aka Wheatley Field) at 682851 - I believe that the building and field is in use this weekend, even if it is that won't be a problem.
Our nearest toilet/shower facility is at the east end ot the Norton Cabin on the Cub Field (aka Ma Williams Field) at 672850.
There are also toilets at 681882, 666890 (not shown - but just to the east of the Top Field; aka Caterers Field) and at 663864 (this is the toilet block near reception - this block has toilets and showers).
Each toilet block has separate facilities for male and female; as do the toilet blocks which have shower facilities.
Oh, the map hasn't been updated to show that the Archery Range has moved (from the top of the Main Field to adjacent to the car park).

..... drinking water taps at various locations ..... I believe we will be pitching camp at pc11 site on the bottom right on the map.....

Yup, absolutely correct.

 

[decorum]

So those attending can plan accordingly - the site's still rather moist in some places from the last lot of wet weather.

 

[Scrumpy]

I think the muntjack idea is slowly fading, nice idea as it was there is a definite lack of willing deers to be shot at.
If everybody is happy with a lump of pork then we should just go with that, if not I have an idea!!
Plan B - By my reckoning there is about 16 adults coming so we could buy some locally produced / caught meat. I spoke to a local meat specialist today and he has in stock some pretty god stuff. If we all chip in £2.50 we can get a muntjack leg, a fallow deer leg (bone out), a lump of wild boar (haunch) and some zebra (about a kilo I think) + a few pigeons and anything else I can wangle in to the deal. This should be plenty of meat to cook underground and any left over cooked or uncooked would be ideal for a stew in Wayland's cauldron for the next day.
If we go with plan B I will need to make the order Wednesday afternoon.

Who is up for it and who ain't?

 

[maverick moocher]

Sounds good to me, no ostrich drumsticks on offer at this butchers then?

 

[Mesquite]

At £2.50 per adult that seems very cheap for what you reckon you can wangle. Are you sure you need so little?

If it is, then I am more than happy to go for plan B

 

[Scrumpy]

The £2.50 per adult equates to muntjack leg @ £6.23 per kilo, wild boar and fallow deer @ £7 per kilo, I forget how much the zebra was but probably similarly priced. If he has any ostrich I'll try to get some! (depending on spare funds)

 

[woodstock]

So those attending can plan accordingly - the site's still rather moist in some places from the last lot of wet weather.

is it going to be suitable to pitch a tents or are hammocks going to be preferable

 

[Wayland]

I'll chuck in a couple of cauldrons as well then.

 

[decorum]

...... Plan B - By my reckoning there is about 16 adults coming so we could buy some locally produced / caught meat. I spoke to a local meat specialist today and he has in stock some pretty god stuff. If we all chip in £2.50 we can get a muntjack leg, a fallow deer leg (bone out), a lump of wild boar (haunch) and some zebra (about a kilo I think) + a few pigeons and anything else I can wangle in to the deal...... Who is up for it and who ain't?

That's o.k by me

......This should be plenty of meat to cook underground ......

Unfortunately there are very few rocks on site - and even less would be suitable for a pit roast

......and any left over cooked or uncooked would be ideal for a stew in Wayland's cauldron for the next day.
If we go with plan B I will need to make the order Wednesday afternoon.

Sounds good to me

is it going to be suitable to pitch a tents or are hammocks going to be preferable

Either would be fine. Site eleven is fine but a few of the tracks on site haven't fully drained yet. At the moment light weight footwear would be fine for lazing around within our pitch - but it might be best to wear suitable footwear when wandering around some parts of the site; I was up there the other day and, even on the claggiest of paths, I managed to keep my trouser legs clean.

 

[Scrumpy]

Not sure why I had it in my head to cook underground when it clearly says spit roast.....I have even been sussing out the best burdock roots to dig up to be buried with the meat and had a great discussion with the butcher about wet wrapping the meat to get a moist meat at the end of the roasting. I really should pay more attention.

 

[decorum]

Not sure why I had it in my head to cook underground when it clearly says spit roast.....I have even been sussing out the best burdock roots to dig up to be buried with the meat and had a great discussion with the butcher about wet wrapping the meat to get a moist meat at the end of the roasting. I really should pay more attention.

Easily done - after all's said and done the only difference between pit roast and spit roast is an 's' at the beginning

 

[firecrest]

Plan B gets my vote

 

[Cobweb]

Voting for Plan B also

I'll still bring the veggies as well, a stew is a great idea

 

[Wallenstein]

Do we have a rough idea of when the meat will be sufficiently charred for consumption on the Saturday?

I will need to pop away for part of the evening, but would love to partake of some dead animal.

 

[firecrest]

can anyone bring squirrel? Me and the man were pontificating killing some, which is not something we have done before. we share a house with a vegan and a veggie so eating the local wildlife is not something we can do at home.

also, another question, I can't decide if to bring a camp chair or not. I dont like bringing unnessesary luxuries, but if its muddy and there is nothing to sit on, it might be a good idea.
what do other people do?

 

[Wallenstein]

I believe Wayland offers himself on a rota basis as a genuine viking hearth rug.

We each get 15 mins of sitting time before he moves one stop around the campfire to allow the next lucky individual a chance to relax.

This carries on all evening until the fire burns down.

However, in the unlikely event that Wayland denies all knowledge of this traditional nordic practice, I shall be bringing a camp chair to rest my weary bones... were I trekking I would not make use of such bourgeois fripperies, but as we are but a stone's throw from the cultured delights of Coventry City Centre, a touch of modern comfort will not (I hope) be frowned upon.

 

[Mesquite]

also, another question, I can't decide if to bring a camp chair or not. I dont like bringing unnessesary luxuries, but if its muddy and there is nothing to sit on, it might be a good idea. what do other people do?

Like Wallenstein I shall be planning to bring a chair to sit on so go for it and have a little bit of comfort

 

[Cobweb]

After sitting on a soggy log last time I think I'll be bringing my chair as well, a little luxury I'm allowing myself, I think Bramble and the kids are bringing theirs a well.

A another quickie: Is anyone else bringing a camera, I know (being a great photographer and all )Wayland will most likely and I'm most definitely (I forgot last time and could've kicked myself :11doh: ) and I'd like to record the highs (spitroast ) and lows (bad archery from me).

I'd like to possibly create a slideshow of the event Oh and on that note, is everyone all right with having their pictures taken and possibly going onto the internet, if not, please say so

 

[woodstock]

[
A another quickie: Is anyone else bringing a camera, I know (being a great photographer and all )Wayland will most likely and I'm most definitely (I forgot last time and could've kicked myself :11doh: ) and I'd like to record the highs (spitroast ) and lows (bad archery from me).

I'd like to possibly create a slideshow of the event Oh and on that note, is everyone all right with having their pictures taken and possibly going onto the internet, if not, please say so [/QUOTE]

I never seen any pics of the last meet were any taken I shall be bringing one this time...