Get Together in Cornwall -- February

[Nightwalker]

Seeing as I already run a page for Bushcraft events I thought I'd centralise more info for this meet:

Meet Info: www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/bushcraft-events#woodland-valley

There is a restriction on numbers, but I shouldn't think that'd be a problem, we'll use this thread to keep track of who is coming.

 

[bear knights]

count me in too please. Ash, i've sent you PM.

 

[Nightwalker]

Of course Angie! It'll be nice to see youself & Rhoda again, how about Kurt & Kai? Can we entice them out?

The date is booked/confirmed now!

 

[craven]

hey guy's is there room for one more? it would be good to get out and shake off the winter blues, good to meet a few of you to!

 

[Nightwalker]

Sure there is

 

[Rhoda]

Count me in and Raz as well. And if there is room Kurt and Kai too although they may just come for the day and not camp.

 

[SMARTY]

Hey guys do me a favour when you are in the woods at Woodland Valley can you check to see if the mud oven is still working. Its been about 2 years when I was last there. I may visit if I have the time. Enjoy the meet.

 

[Nightwalker]

Hey guys do me a favour when you are in the woods at Woodland Valley can you check to see if the mud oven is still working. Its been about 2 years when I was last there. I may visit if I have the time. Enjoy the meet.

I think I remember seeing this oven the first time I visited this wood, I haven't seen the oven in a long time but I think it looked a little ropey when I saw it, semi-covered in bramble I think. I'll check it out, perhaps thats a project we could do? See if it needs restoring a little, I've never built one myself.

Right, so an update on whos coming, I'll also list this over at NaturalBushcraft too:

• Ashley/Nightwalker/Me
  Scott
  rawshak
  Sainty
  Rhoda
  Kurt (Day-visiting?)
  Kai (Day-visiting?)
  Angie
  Paul Lakeman
  ANDYRAF
  smarvell (Steve)
  craven

There might be 1 or 2 more to come.

 

[Steve M]

I was wondering what sleeping arrangement people will be using for the weekend. This will be my first non-summer night out without a tent and I'm trying to get a picture of what people use at this time of year. Hammock/Ground and spec of sleeping bag would be excellent. I'm trying to determine if my 3 season will be suitable.

Also, are we going to collaborate on food? I can probably get a deal on a big hunk of lamb if people want to chip in and make a monster stew.

 

[Sainty]

I was wondering what sleeping arrangement people will be using for the weekend. This will be my first non-summer night out without a tent and I'm trying to get a picture of what people use at this time of year. Hammock/Ground and spec of sleeping bag would be excellent. I'm trying to determine if my 3 season will be suitable.

Also, are we going to collaborate on food? I can probably get a deal on a big hunk of lamb if people want to chip in and make a monster stew.

Funnily enough, I've been having the same thoughts about sleeping bags.

I'll be taking my hammock, sleeping mat, tarp, and an old sleeping bag that has always kept me warm enough in a tent but then again, I can't remember using it in February and definitely not since I turned 40. I was thinking about layering up with clothes before bed time and hoping for the best. The forecast on Metcheck is for around freezing nighttime temperatures for the end of the month. :thinkerg: :thinkerg: :thinkerg:

Still can't wait though and it will nice and warm by the fire.

Martin

 

[Nightwalker]

As for the food, I think its probably best for this first one if we say everybody should be self-sufficient in terms of food, just to be sure everyone is covered.

As for the sleeping bag, I was camping down at Laddock in January with my Hammock and Tarp just fine. My sleeping bag is nothing special, to be honest its cheap and im not even sure what "seasons-rating" its meant to be but I would say other good practices are the crucial factor to keeping me warm; Good layers and good insulation! With them I stay warm. If your a virgin to the Hammock don't think "well I dont need insulation from the ground!" No.. you need insulation from the cold breeze and air around you at this time of the year. You can do this by using a thermarest type thing (I use a Slim Airic from AlpKit) or you can use a under-blanket which keeps a still pocket of insulating air hanging below your hammock.

 

[Steve M]

I'm going to provisionally convert to a day visitor because I'm not convinced my sleeping kit is going to keep me warm enough. If it's a toasty forecast closer to the time, I'll give it a go.

 

[Sainty]

Only a week to go guys!!! Can't wait

Let's hope the weather stays like it is, the forecast is now really good.

Martin

 

[Machete Madness]

It's gonna be a good weekend

 

[Nightwalker]

Would anyone like to do a small class or a demonstration of a certain skill? If so let me know. There's nothing planned as of yet, most of the time will be spent relaxing and meeting new people no doubt.

Oh and bring your fishing rod if you want too! There's a nice pond/lake with some nice sized Perch in, spinners worked best, checkout the first catch of the day I had : http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ashleycawley/WoodlandValleyWinterCampingJan2009#5287474039099215026
See you all soon,
Ashley.

 

[Steve M]

Oh and bring your fishing rod if you want too!

I only have a beach caster. That'll be good at all

 

[Sainty]

Would anyone like to do a small class or a demonstration of a certain skill? If so let me know. There's nothing planned as of yet, most of the time will be spent relaxing and meeting new people no doubt.

Oh and bring your fishing rod if you want too! There's a nice pond/lake with some nice sized Perch in, spinners worked best, checkout the first catch of the day I had : http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ashleycawley/WoodlandValleyWinterCampingJan2009#5287474039099215026
See you all soon,
Ashley.

I would really like to have a go at friction fire lighting and trying to find tasty morsels to eat be they animal or vegetable. I hear that perch make quite good eating although I don't think Chris would take too kindly to us eating his specimens.

I'm happy to go with the flow on the day.

What time is everyone planning to get there? A reasonably early start would leave good time to do all the stuff we wanted to. Could always incorporate a bit of a wild food walk??

Martin

 

[Rhoda]

I'm happy to take people on a little tracking bimble if anyone is interested. Could combine it with a wild food walk - I know a bit about wild food but am no expert so if anyone else knows more then I will leave that part out!

 

[Sainty]

I'm happy to take people on a little tracking bimble if anyone is interested. Could combine it with a wild food walk - I know a bit about wild food but am no expert so if anyone else knows more then I will leave that part out!

Sounds great Rhoda. I may bring along a couple of books to help along the way. It'd be great to have a little stroll around to see what we can find.

Martin

 

[Nightwalker]

That sounds great Rhoda, Chris has mentioned that they have had Otters there before. For those who haven't been to Woodland Valley before I've got two maps for you:

- Overview map of the land: www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/downloads/woodland-valley-2nd-draft.pdf

- Zoomed in and editted to help, shows where we'll hopefully camp providing there's enough space in this wood: www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/downloads/custom-wv-map.jpg