After much lurking and soaking up information from users here I ventured off into my local wood. Armed with a bergen full (to my surprise) of kit andmentally ready for some testing of myself, skills and ability 
Ok a bit dramatic, but although I've spent a lot of time in my local wood photographing the wildlife and videoing badgers, I hadn't done a whole night. Even camping as a kid I hadn't gone out alone.
I camped for the day on Monday just to test the setup. Cooked lunch and chilled for the afternoon.
My chosen site was in a bit of a dip, I wanted to make sure the dogwalkers wouldn't see me. I have had permission to play from the guy who manages the wood and the owners tolerate people as long as they don't leave rubbish or cause damage. No one polices it though and my girlfriend and I have done litter picks just to make it look nicer.
So anyways, went back yesterday. Pitched in the same spot. Kept myself busy by collecting wood and keeping my hobo stove burning (local kids have had bonfires and always make a mess. Even had to call the firebrigade out this week!!). Surprising how warm you can stay sitting by the tin can stove
Even though it started raining at 1am I was toasty, warm and dry and LOVED every minute of it. Even had 10 fallow deer walk past my camp once it was dark.
For the kit junkies out there I was using;
Vango Nightstar 300XL sleeping bag
http://www.intertent.co.uk/product_414-23-97_Vango-Nitestar-300-XL-Square-Sleeping-Bag.htm
Tenth Wonder Green Hornet Hammock and Sargasso Tarp
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Tenth-Wonder-Hammocks
Ok a bit dramatic, but although I've spent a lot of time in my local wood photographing the wildlife and videoing badgers, I hadn't done a whole night. Even camping as a kid I hadn't gone out alone.
I camped for the day on Monday just to test the setup. Cooked lunch and chilled for the afternoon.
My chosen site was in a bit of a dip, I wanted to make sure the dogwalkers wouldn't see me. I have had permission to play from the guy who manages the wood and the owners tolerate people as long as they don't leave rubbish or cause damage. No one polices it though and my girlfriend and I have done litter picks just to make it look nicer.
So anyways, went back yesterday. Pitched in the same spot. Kept myself busy by collecting wood and keeping my hobo stove burning (local kids have had bonfires and always make a mess. Even had to call the firebrigade out this week!!). Surprising how warm you can stay sitting by the tin can stove
Even though it started raining at 1am I was toasty, warm and dry and LOVED every minute of it. Even had 10 fallow deer walk past my camp once it was dark.
For the kit junkies out there I was using;
Vango Nightstar 300XL sleeping bag
http://www.intertent.co.uk/product_414-23-97_Vango-Nitestar-300-XL-Square-Sleeping-Bag.htm
Tenth Wonder Green Hornet Hammock and Sargasso Tarp
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Tenth-Wonder-Hammocks
