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Have I been blocked? I would appreciate if Admin could let me know asap as I am unaware of doing anything wrong and it is worrying - as maybe my account has been compromised.

This message is awaiting moderator approval, and is invisible to normal visitors. Why has my last post got this message? Is it new? Couldn't find anything in the search.

I do a lot of canoe camping on islands, mainly up in Scotland. I also do a lot 'wild' swimming and would like swim out to some islands and camp the night. Much easier than transporting and preparing a boat. Before I get lectured - I am an experienced swimmer. And I can swim about a mile in 9°C...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46671224 Has anyone got any similar links to survival foods? Or maybe books - but for survival foods, not just wild plants. Thanks.

SPOILER ALERT! There are no knives for sale in this post. Sorry. With time on my hands (bad pun) I decided to try some of the harder, more awkward ways of getting an ember. Split stick, no notch, single hole, double hole and a few others. I couldn't find much use for them, other than having...

I am in an area with lots of walnuts on the ground. I assume from last September/October. I can easily open them with my fingers which means they a probably not sealed. I've been opening them for the birds which has made me very popular. Are they safe to eat? They are easy to open and lying on...

Quinzee 2 New Year 2020 by Hola Siesta, on Flickr Spent the New Year at 2000m in a quinzee. French Alps. Photo from this morning. An amazing 1st day of the year. Just sat around drinking tea and getting sun burnt.

I am thinking about getting a Mandarin Duck Black Hunter recurve bow. 60". 50lbs. 28" draw. Can anyone recommend some arrows? I have very long arms. And will be trying to hunt down and kill tree stumps. No animals. No targets. So I am looking for something robust. Carbon may be too pricey for...

Does anyone know where you can buy non native UK woods like Sotol or Coastal Hibiscus? I would like to work on the fire plough/plow this winter. I have tried many times with other woods that are local but without success. If I can achieve my first ember then I will have the confidence to try...

A broken bone stops play. So I am limited to one handed stuff. A few years ago I practiced one handed bow drilling but this time I am trying to improve my fire roll. I have successfully used various ingredients in the past - ash, rust, coffee and a few others. Just want to ask if anyone has...

I have some burn gel that I only take on trips where I am not hiking or riding due to weight/size. Canoe and car only. I have never had to use it, so it is one of those items that I carry but have no idea if it is worth it. If I make a fire then I always have a bottle of water or access to a...

I've been here a couple of weeks and catching / eating plenty of mackerel, pollack, some limpets, winkles, I didn't say oysters. Looking at getting some mussels and just wanted to check if there are or have been any toxicity issues along the West Coast? Mull upwards. I assume with all the fish...

I am trying to find some natural fibres to replace cotton wool. I am in Scotland and trying with thistle. But this gives two problems. It doesn't stay together when rolled. So I need to find something that will 'bind' it. Also, the ash falls through it. Finding plenty of flat stones, so no...

Not sure if that is the right title. I have always said - Take a knife, take a first aid kit. Take an axe, take a trauma kit. I have been looking at the 'military' field dressings and thinking about getting one. But research says that a t-shirt does the same job. Sterility doesn't mean much...

A couple of years ago I bought a Primus ferro rod and stricker. Anyone else have one? I can't believe how bad / useless it is for such a well known brand. Far too hard. Or is there a trick to it? Yes, I know how to use them. I have about 10 other brands incl flint and steels.

20190720_161416 by Hola Siesta, on Flickr Hello Green Fingers & Tree Huggers, Can any of you i.d. this plant please? Jura mountains, France. So I assume it is Jurassic. 900m elevation. South facing. Lots of them on the side of a grassy hill. Cow poop everywhere. Mid July. Thanks...

If I cut a teasel plant while it is green, will it harden into a hard stem for use as a hand drill or is it too premature and just break down? Why don't I just try? I have found 3 in a square metre. Nothing else around. Searched for dead last year's. None. I very rarely find them so I don't...

Hello, I am after some ideas for hand drill hearth woods that can be used 'on the day/in the field'. I have no problem (depending on location) with the drill. Burdock can be used almost immediately if it hasn't rained too much. And some pithy stalks can be split and dried if the sun is out...

Over the years I have cleared up quite a few old fire rings/pits. I used to get annoyed when finding these but now I find it 'therapeutic' to see how far I can shot put the rocks and clean up the charred logs. I have been keeping an eye on a few that were cleared up 2 to 3 years ago. Most of...

An internet search for Clematis only shows pics of beautiful flowers. Winter pics only show a bare bush. Can anyone tell me how to ID/find Clematis in winter? Going hiking on the South Downs for a few days. For hand drill use. Thanks.