22 hours in the Wilderness (With some photos)

[MartinK9]

Great thread, thanks for taking us all along with you.

 

[ged]

Great thread, thanks for taking us all along with you.

Seconded.

Aaron, maybe we'll get chance to do a trip sometime? How are you off for tomahawks and other ironmongery? I should be flying past your way inside the next month or so.

 

[Whittler Kev]

Nice one dude. I remember my first night sleeping out in a beech forest. Waiting for the big cracks and bangs that everyone "warned" me about :yikes:. Rotten Gits!
How many knifes did you sleep with or was it just a few 'hawks and axes kept close to hand? (I took my knife and axe in the 3 man tent with me and the next time was in Kent with several hooting owls and phesants - kept my knife close - Yep - Wos)
Anyway who's the older bloke in the photo or does one need to update ones avatar?

 

[Large Sack]

Stayed in Clecy a couple of times, not far from you. Good Calvados country...envy...

 

[Biker]

Anyway who's the older bloke in the photo or does one need to update ones avatar?

Ones avater is only 18 months old, so one is offended, however one did apply a gausian blur filter over the picture to make me more attractive to the opposite sex. I have yet to see a result of that actually working. One has high hopes, if delusional.

Nope, didn't sleep with any knives/axes/weapons close by. "I know kung-fu" is warning enough to any would be attacker. See? I watched The Matrix too.

I did sleep surprisingly well confident I wouldn't need to defend myself if the poop hit the windmill. Having lived here in Normandy for nearly 6 years has allowed me to let my guard down a lot when compared to the UK. Here you can leave your garage/shed etc unlocked and know that it won't be disturbed. Not that many do, being an ever practical rural community, very much belt and braces type of people. I like that mentality. They respect their neighbours, watch out for each other, but lock there doors against the scumbags found in any society.

Large Sack. Clecy! I was there just last week fitting a window I made for someone. Chester's bar know it? My mate runs the place with his missus Debbie. Yeah, Calvados. Lethal stuff, don't get any on your clothes.

MartinK9 Thanks, glad you felt like you'd been along. Reading some of the adventures here it was nice to give something back with my little experience.

Ged: Yup got a few bits and pieces but currently no customers waiting, except one who wants a big heavy axe head. Those that are waiting on drawknives or billhook are still waiting for me to get off my butt and contact them that I have one ready. I really must PM some people.

Bye for now. Reality doth beckon.

 

[Whittler Kev]

At least you dare use your pic. I have to make do with a woven Harley:sadwavey: (look on Norfolk & Norwich thread)

 

[CPWSolf]

Hey guys...new to the forum.

I do have yet to do an overnighter (other than non-bushcraft), but this account has spurred me into action.
A fantastic post mate

 

[Biker]

Hey guys...new to the forum.

I do have yet to do an overnighter (other than non-bushcraft), but this account has spurred me into action.
A fantastic post mate

Your first posting and it was in response to my little adventure. I'm honoured. Thank you.

I tell ya in all seriousness I do feel different for having done that over nighter. To the old hands here it's probably nothing special but like anything if done for the first time it's exciting and different. I think that's why it took me so long to drop off, not through worry for what reptilian beasty or bugs could crawl into my sleeping bag with me but just the sheer differentness of it all. In a tent you feel cut off from the outside, those thin fabric walls give you a feeling of security.

I hope you do get out there and do an over-nighter and soon. Be sure to share it with us.

To those who have yet to try it. Just do it.

To paraphrase the immortal words of Gloria Gaynor: You will survive!

 

[drewdunnrespect]

hiyar biker now you ask the question about string hammocks as kit hammocks and were they go either above or below your sleeping hammock well you can do either i used to put it below but then was shown how to do it so it was above me and well i will do it like that every time now cos its easier drew

 

[al21]

A good tale, well told. Thanks for letting us share your adventure.

Not for nothing was spending the night by yourself a rite of passage in certain cultures. It does change your view of things for sure.

I noted that your fire lighting by friction wasn't taken to its conclusion of flames, I can understand the desire to practice making an ember, but the thrill of seeing a flame you've created is a good experience too!

Al

 

[Mistwalker]

Great photos and an even better read! Thanks you for sharing! I am way over due for a night out.

 

[fast but dim]

great post! a very entertaining read. nice one!

 

[al21]

Another thing, after your stinging nettle encounter you said you couldn't find any dock leaves. You could always use Plantain (Plantago major) instead, if anything, I think it's more effective than dock for relieving stinger rash.

Al

 

[Twodogs]

Nice one Biker
Twodogs

 

[rik_uk3]

Dock leaves are, to be honest, crap. Much easier to take along a tube of cream designed to combat the stings. Why make things difficult for yourself?

 

[whitey3192]

thanks biker, really enjoyed reading this thread, also john wisemans sas survival book is THE BIBLE!
lol
just a bit on the big side tho to carry around with ya, other than that a real good book.

keep up the good work and i hope to hear more of your antics in gaul!

cheers

 

[silentpaddler]

Thanks for sharing your story, an enjoyable read. Sounds like you did well.I was intrigued about the hobo stove; I had seen them mentioned before but really didn't know what
they were all about, so I searched around the forum to learn more...I guess they are more efficient than an open campfire, is that their main purpose?
I don't see anyone over here using them ...wouldn't know where to get a look at one...