Well I've attended several meets before but never with a challenge involved , meeting at the designated coordinates I could see the flush of green plastic soldiers all set out as I would as a young boy ,and I could see that this was not your average group of bushcrafters ,they had obviously been involved in a strict and vigorous training routine ,I felt my eye begin to wince and it was apparent that this was going to be a true test of my mental and physical ability and as a complete novice I knew I was probably going to end up as camp walla .
After introductions and a weigh in our host ( Ivan ) lead the pack onwards to the site designated as base camp .
Crossing a field to a small gate we entered what I can only Describe as a barren and secluded gathering of trees ( at this point I was touching cloth ) the group quickly scattered finding there perfect pitching location .
With my extensive sleeping set up I struggled to keep up with timings as this highly trained gathering of bushcraft gurus set about there business .
After setting up my sleeping area I decided to explore the surroundings and compose myself as I was still very much nervous being faced with this impossible task .
On my return the group was already seated around the fire laughing and joking as if there was not a Care in the world , as I looked around I noticed that rather calm and serious fellow (patrols) was also taking stock of the competition with a small grin in the corner of his mouth he was obviously the serious member of the pack , next was a welsh gent known as Bucephalus he had placed himself central to the group and surrounded himself with a array of technology with a large smile he was obviously going to be camp moral , next was redandShane a tall and refined gent who apparently had a bad accident as a younger man and had to have his backside removed and with his broad Scotish accent he towered above the group and seemed to scan the floor for unguarded kit a skill called urban foraging .
Next was a obvious urban survival expert wanting to hone his wilderness skills ( savagewolfrm) he was already tucking into a meal from his rat pack and then promptly jumped to attention shouting "I ain't done nuthin " and jumping into a jig singing knees up mother brown .
Next was a rather refined gentleman called Dave53 who was already collecting fire wood for the good of the group ,
Next our host who was a quiet man who at this point had not shown his cards but who looked quietly confident .
Next a pleasant fellow called lawlesswasp a gentle and man who was looking for peace .the next member was a former bcuk member called Bushwacker who I remember frequently enjoying his posts who seemed to be the victim of a fact ( basically someone didn't know the facts and acted inappropriately leading to his bann ) .
That evening was full of sensible debate and getting to know each other early in the evening I had explored the surroundings and seemed to have dropped a bundle of parra cord so went to find it I happened across a brace of pheasants that had tangled themselves up in it and as the group had limits on food I took them back to camp as an offering .
Everybody was sleeping early as energy levels were agreed to be important due to are low available calorie intake .
During the night I could hear the muffled crys of members discomfort not surprising as the temperature had dropped and with low kit levels being comfortable was not easy
The next morning it was apparent that the sheer lack of foods and comforts was to much for lawlesswasp and he removed himself from the game under the watchful eye of Ivan and patrols he was medivaced much to the sadness of the group as the helicopter took flight a tear was shed
During the day Ivan introduced several activities to keep us focused on surviving the task ahead ,
It also became obvious that your geographical upbringing was key to this challenge as savagewolfrm as a cockney boy was using marry poppins rat pack as he was once again eating .
Then out of the dark walked a huge man mountain (Paul Webster ) a late arrival . Who started on me verbally as soon as he entered the camp I think like a grizzly smelling fear ,
By this time it seemed that if you did not guard your food then it would be riffled by Bucephalus who seemed to be starving and eating anything not tied down I knew that it was to much for him when he created an explosion and then made porridge in my kettle ( which incidentally was my porridge )
It was at this point I knew our goose was cooked .
Dave53 had obviously had enough and verbally bashed the nearly welsh into submission
I truly beleive that if the challenge was any longer it would of been a cross between broke back mountain and alive .
That evening I was woke by Ivan and Paul Webster talking from 2am until 4.30am about the camp legend which is Elen sentier .
I was moments away from calling Big brother when it suddenly stopped , then 30 blissful minutes of peace BUT than the snoring commenced I was glad of the service of the resident mental health worker .
All in all I am emotionally ruined and will hopefully grow out of the nightmares in time until then Ivan you are a gent with a wonderful family and a great bunch of friends to which I hope my name is added ,,,,,,, I salute you ,,,,,,
Regards Dave (caps lock )