Cambridgeshire

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taws6

Nomad
Jul 27, 2007
293
2
Anglia
Hi, sounds like a great meet, any chance I could pop along if I get the chance?

What kind of things do you expect to be doing, and what kind of age range is everyone going to be?
 
Hi, sounds like a great meet, any chance I could pop along if I get the chance?

Hi Taws6, welcome to the Bush Crafters of Cambridgeshire group thread. :welcome1:
I'll add you to the 'Possibly Interested' list, if you could let us know nearer the time if 'yes' or 'no' that would be great.. is it just the day you are thinking about, or over night Sat to Sun?.. Even if you are just coming for the day, you will still have to read and fill in the form details, as this is an organised meet on a scout site! (the document will be up and ready soon!)

What kind of things do you expect to be doing, and what kind of age range is everyone going to be?

Well, this is mainly an introduction meet, for everyone to get to know each other, there isn't any 'theme' as such, or any planned skills teaching sessions pencilled in, so make of it what you will.
Chill out on your own or chat to other like-minded people, whittle away the hours, or just hone your skills at tea making.. if that's your cup of tea?.. (mines strong with two sugars by the way!)
I think my challenge for the day is going to be on 'seeing how quick I can get my set-up.. set-up!'.. I'd like to spead up the methodology, as I tend to get lost in my own little world, tweaking here, tweaking there, and before I know it, the suns starting to dip! (I want to get round to having a good old chat with people)

As of ages, it seams like its going to be a mixed bunch.. I'm about midway (I think) at 34! (Correct me on this Tim if I'm wrong) but I think if you are below 18, you will need to be accompanied by a adult/guardian.

Would you like me to bring my locked box (with the key) of sharps along (spoons, whittlers, Mora's, etc) so we can have a quiet play, the same as I did at the Norwich meet? :D

That sounds great Kev, I'm sure we will all have some toys, old and new to play with, that's if I have not already blunted yours at Rough Close for you!! (remember all, sharps in designated areas only!)


TIME NOTE: Dont forget guys & girls, Sunday March 28th the clocks go forward an hour from GMT to BST.. so dont be late back to work Monday! :sleeping: (sorry for mentioning work!)
 

badgeringtim

Nomad
May 26, 2008
480
0
cambridge
As Wolf said above joining instructions imminently arriving, and thats the current view with the under 18's - although if this causes real problems for anyone feel free to PM me and we might be able to check.

I also though maybe this might be a good idea;

A little about my interests;.
I like to try green woodwork mainly, so if people want might bring along the shave horse. Ill be probably making a mess of some axe handles, bowls and perhapse a spoon or so!
Im also interested in tracking and have a reasonable degree of proficiency with certain species, unfortunately the site doesnt really lend itself to exploring that to much.
I keep wanting to try friction firelighting - bow drills mainly but anything like that people have done id love to try. If theres particular interest I might bring a partially made knife and do some handle shaping as ive done that a few times, im no expert but if people wanted could give some pointers bring some blocks etc.
Im curious to se some of the hammock setups 'cos this might be a saving grace for me as i camp badly (ie sleeping).

Mainly i love being outdoors, and particularly UK broadleaf woods and Im just hoping it doesnt rain.

So what about the rest of you
:)
 

eel28

Settler
Aug 27, 2009
599
11
Bedfordshire
Would love to have another go at carving a spoon, or anything else for that matter :) - can I assume that there will be some usable material onsite??

Having just bought a DD Tarp from the recent group buy, I am thinking of bringing it along for a 'play' in the hopes that someone might offer some help/advice in setting it up - if not, I'll still have a play with it :)

Wouldn't mind a bit of a nosey at some of the hammock set ups myself - could be something to think about in the future.
 

craeg

Native
May 11, 2008
1,437
12
New Marske, North Yorkshire
SWMBO just reminded me that I will not have the car day so unless someone is winging their way past Huntingdon and can take me & my son (possible), I am not going to be able to make it even for the Sunday :(

I will have to look forward to seeing the photos.

Hopefully next time, fingers crossed.

Craeg
 

rickyamos

Settler
Feb 6, 2010
622
0
Peterborough
I'm going for the full weekend Craeg, but if your up for that then I will gladly take you and your son. As I live in Wittering I will be more than willing to go and collect you. Let me know.
 
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taws6

Nomad
Jul 27, 2007
293
2
Anglia
Cheers for the welcome Wolfcrafter, as long as it's not tipping it down I'll pop along during the day on Saturday.

If this is going to be a showing off of kit occasion, I'll have to hire a van! J/K!
Could be good to see others kit, as I've always been a kit monster, hmm, this could end up being expensive!

I'd love to have a go at friction firelighting too (my solo attemps have failed miserably!), and pick up some tracking and map reading tips if possable. Oh, and a nosey at the hammock setups would be good too, I've been tempted by one for a while....

If anyones going to tap a birch I'd be interested to watch.
I might bring a few bits for swaps/sale if that's okay?

Looking forward to it, hideing the rainsticks as we speak!
Well done for arranging the meet guys, we needed something in this area.

What time is everyone trying to get there for? Is it at the building next to the church, or over the road?
 
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badgeringtim

Nomad
May 26, 2008
480
0
cambridge
Ok a few things here folks;

Assume no materials are available on site for whittling, there is a bit of firewood but it looks like old fence pannels, we will not be felling trees and certainly no one will be birch tapping, please bring what you want to do or maybe ask others if they can.

The sign up docs will be here very soon with details, but once your signed up please do come 'cos theres a very small cost associated with the booking and I do expect people to cough up if them book and dont come.

As for the youngster mentioned above, should be fine if with parent.

The sign up also has details of locations and times.
 
Having just bought a DD Tarp from the recent group buy, I am thinking of bringing it along for a 'play' in the hopes that someone might offer some help/advice in setting it up - if not, I'll still have a play with it :)

Wouldn't mind a bit of a nosey at some of the hammock set ups myself - could be something to think about in the future.

no worries eel22, my setup for this one wil be DD 3x3 tarp & their 2010 Travel hammock/bivi! (with a few modifications going on!) Hopefully I'll have my DIY underquilt made in time for the meet! (waiting for goose down from Germany!) We'll have a good look at yours, and see what your preferences are! Do you have a walking pole/stick? Opens up some more options for your tarp, rather than relying on trees!
 

eel28

Settler
Aug 27, 2009
599
11
Bedfordshire
no worries eel22, my setup for this one wil be DD 3x3 tarp & their 2010 Travel hammock/bivi! (with a few modifications going on!) Hopefully I'll have my DIY underquilt made in time for the meet! (waiting for goose down from Germany!) We'll have a good look at yours, and see what your preferences are! Do you have a walking pole/stick? Opens up some more options for your tarp, rather than relying on trees!

Thanks for that Wolfcrafter, I do have a pair of walking poles which I will be bringing - most of the youtube videos i watched utilise walking poles, which is where i have got a few ideas from. would be nice to try a few out, and see what might work - maybe next time leave the tent at home :)
 

rickyamos

Settler
Feb 6, 2010
622
0
Peterborough
Would love to have another go at carving a spoon, or anything else for that matter :) - can I assume that there will be some usable material onsite??

Having just bought a DD Tarp from the recent group buy, I am thinking of bringing it along for a 'play' in the hopes that someone might offer some help/advice in setting it up - if not, I'll still have a play with it :)

Wouldn't mind a bit of a nosey at some of the hammock set ups myself - could be something to think about in the future.

I also have a DD travel Hammock and 3x3 tarp. I have never slept out in the setup and I have only ever pitched the hammock to see how it went up. So I will also be looking for ideas on setups as well. One thing that I have done is do the karabiner mod, this I have seen on a number of web sites and is to aid in the fact that the webbing straps do act like a sponge and water will wick down into your hammock in heavy rain. The only down side to this mod is that it limits you to only being able to use the setup as a hammock and not the bivvi, as the mod takes a 12" length of the webbing strap and makes them into loops for the karabiners to attach to so you are no longer able to lay the setup out flat on the ground.

Also and I don't know if this will be any good. I have also purchased a poncho liner to go into the hammock with my 3/4 length therma rest sleeping mat. maybe warm enough I just don't know. With this I will also be using a british forces sleeping bag and maybe the bivvi bag to if it gets to cold. We will have to wait and see
 
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eel28

Settler
Aug 27, 2009
599
11
Bedfordshire
Assume no materials are available on site for whittling, there is a bit of firewood but it looks like old fence pannels, we will not be felling trees and certainly no one will be birch tapping, please bring what you want to do or maybe ask others if they can.

I'd be most interested if anyone has any suitable 'spare' materials to bring along for a bit of a whittle :)
 

badgeringtim

Nomad
May 26, 2008
480
0
cambridge
I can bring a few odds and sods of wood for whittling with,
Some partially green, think i can get some small bits of willow and ash maybe some alder if people are wanting. Let me know closer to the time though as its not stuff i have so would have to make sure i 'acquired' it.

What kinda stuff people want?
 

eel28

Settler
Aug 27, 2009
599
11
Bedfordshire
I can bring a few odds and sods of wood for whittling with,
Some partially green, think i can get some small bits of willow and ash maybe some alder if people are wanting. Let me know closer to the time though as its not stuff i have so would have to make sure i 'acquired' it.

What kinda stuff people want?

I'd be more than happy with anything that might resemble a spoon after a bit of a whittle :)
 

Whittler Kev

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 8, 2009
4,314
12
65
March, UK
bushcraftinfo.blogspot.com
I can bring a few odds and sods of wood for whittling with,
Some partially green, think i can get some small bits of willow and ash maybe some alder if people are wanting. Let me know closer to the time though as its not stuff i have so would have to make sure i 'acquired' it.

What kinda stuff people want?
:You_Rock_Nice one dude. You bring the fodder and I'll bring some instruments of destruction...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......:welcome1:
If possible save me a nice bit to make a Kuskas - it will be my first one. Loads of spoons, knifes, forks and spatulas in the family now.
Can anyone show me a "how-to" on them carving old men face thingys on Sunday?
 

Whittler Kev

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 8, 2009
4,314
12
65
March, UK
bushcraftinfo.blogspot.com
SWMBO just reminded me that I will not have the car day so unless someone is winging their way past Huntingdon and can take me & my son (possible), I am not going to be able to make it even for the Sunday :(

I will have to look forward to seeing the photos.

Hopefully next time, fingers crossed.

Craeg
If all else fails, I shall be going on Sunday morning, coming from March if it helps. Could easily be persuaded to swing by yours in Huntingdon (as long as I can find it on the SAT NAV)
:drive:
 

Whittler Kev

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Mar 8, 2009
4,314
12
65
March, UK
bushcraftinfo.blogspot.com
I will also be looking for ideas on setups as well. One thing that I have done is do the karabiner mod, this I have seen on a number of web sites and is to aid in the fact that the webbing straps do act like a sponge and water will wick down into your hammock in heavy rain.

:dunno: Just a thought...... can you waterproof the straps and then tie a "wick" somewhere further down the strap, under the tarp, that the water will naturally run down and so not keep going into the hammock? It will give a puddle unless you catch the water in a pot of some sort (Its the reason biker jackets have tassel's) :pokenest:
 
..One thing that I have done is do the karabiner mod, this I have seen on a number of web sites and is to aid in the fact that the webbing straps do act like a sponge and water will wick down into your hammock in heavy rain. The only down side to this mod is that it limits you to only being able to use the setup as a hammock and not the bivvi, as the mod takes a 12" length of the webbing strap and makes them into loops for the karabiners to attach to so you are no longer able to lay the setup out flat on the ground.

Hi guys, Tims Internet might be down for a week, and my main lap top has a fatal error!! So this is from my iPhone!.. Blooming technology aye!!

To Kev, drippy cord is a good idea for the hammocks, as sugested by many places, but UK rain being as it is, it finds a way past! Even though it's there, you still have the fabric of the hammock webbing for it to soak along, so as rickyamos has done, biners are the best way forward, or an 'O' ring! (depending on you webbing setup) (No rain, even UK rain, ant gona get past that metal bugger!)

Rickyamos, as with all things Bushy, there are so many ways of doing things, I'll show you my webbing, hammock side of the biners, Its not perfect, there are superior mods, but it easily allows for conversion to the bivi again, and I am confident it will take the strain of my weight! (not that Im fat.. Just big boned.. And Carry hibernation storage just in case!) (would post a pic but on phone at mo, maybe later!) it's not the best mod I've come across, but as I'd already started the mod, I thought I'd finish it! A mod on a mod for another time!!
Get a 12"-18" piece of webbing, stitch two small loops at each end by folding over, (just large enough to pass through eachother!)..rather than one big loop!.. After you've fed one loop end through the hammock, pass one loop through the other, pull tight and attach biner to free loop! This way you can undo the structure for bivi setup, rather than creating a single stiched loop that is permanently attached to the hammock end!.. (hope it makes sence!.. As i squint on my iPhone)
Hope this helps.
WolfCrafter.
 
Re: Wood to Burn, Wood to Whittle!

As Tim may have mentioned, (so many posts now!) there are a few spots where fires have been, but as of individual fires, we will have to see when we get there and assess the situation.. It may be a case of sharing, or just one comunial fire for all to gather round! I'll gather some wood to burn for a communial fire, should be enough for the sat night! (plus I can bring a camp fire pan on legs for it if it looks like ground fires are a NO NO!) (we've gota have one fire going at least I think!) other than that, can you all make sure you have a means of cooking stuff on, (unless your bringing cold edibles and drink!) ie, firelighter burner, meths burner, gas burner wood stove etc!!

Cheers guys!!.. Hope your kiting up! Not long now!
 

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