A night out with little kit

[Goatboy]

Nah - go heavy - heavy on the comfort items!

Like they say - "Any fool can be uncomfortable." Nice to know you can still hack it though. I remember all the articles and letters of horror stories in SWAT all those moons ago... I'm afraid I now err on the comfy side a bit.

 

[presterjohn]

I think I would have given it till midnight to prove the system worked then sloped off to my tent.

 

[Biker]

Well done John, that was a thoroughly good read. :notworthy.

 

[oldtimer]

I was sitting up in bed at home last night warm and comfortable reading Lofty Wiseman by the light of my bedside lamp about keeping one's PSK up to date and replenishing perishable contents and I noted his comment about also keeping personal skills up to date. You have set us a good example, especially on the latter.

I do try to get out away from the campervan from time to time to prove to myself that I can manage on minimal kit still, but your post reminded me that I didn't do it last year. I could plead a busy year, but the steady flow of John Fenna articles would make this a hollow excuse. I was 72 yesterday (thanks for the email) but refuse to accept age as a reason: I'm afraid it is just indolence on my part.

Thanks for the report, John and the metaphorical kick up the backside.

 

[John Fenna]

Hat off to you sir :You_Rock_, my only question, were you not allowed to use the poncho/waterproof you would have customarily worn as well? Still excellent work :notworthy

Actually I did use my poncho ... I wore it while the rain thrummed down during the day and I used it as a blanket in bed ... the emergency poncho would have been worn if the rain had been unexpected - but I dressed for the weather forcast

 

[CLEM]

Well played Mr Fenna mate, cap doffed to ya and all that!

 

[crosslandkelly]

Nice write up John. Glad your 56 year old bones survived the experience. Thanks for sharing.

 

[HHazeldean]

Great write up there John, looks like a great thing to do, nice going. Thanks for sharing

 

[Eaglehust]

John - as part of the challenge were there any limitations on amount/type clothing you could have? You mention you used your poncho in the end...

 

[John Fenna]

John - as part of the challenge were there any limitations on amount/type clothing you could have? You mention you used your poncho in the end...

Clothing suitable for the days forecast - ie as if I was going to spend time outdoors during the day, plus a PSK that would fit in the pocket of a pair of US style combats - that is all

 

[Elen Sentier]

John, looks really good. Shall come back and go through it slowly, see what I could use but I think my 65 year old bones would definitely want more comfort than that .

 

[woodstock]

Still life in the old dog yet, My tin changes with the seasons some bits I use in the summer I have little use for in the winter.

 

[Eaglehust]

Clothing suitable for the days forecast - ie as if I was going to spend time outdoors during the day, plus a PSK that would fit in the pocket of a pair of US style combats - that is all

Ahh understood - so genuine 'caught outdoors with nothing else other than what you have with you'. Great report by the way and some real food for thought on PSK contents...

 

[hog]

Great stuff there. What type of hat have you adorned in the pic.

 

[tree beard]

Great read and info and has inspired me to try mine for a night, thank you Mr Fenna.

 

[wingstoo]

Great stuff there. What type of hat have you adorned in the pic.

Looks like a WWII German military peak cap, nice and warm looking as well.

 

[John Fenna]

Looks like a WWII German military peak cap, nice and warm looking as well.

Spot on!
I got 2 of these when I was costuming our theatres production of "Allo, Allo!"
Cheaper than a "Branded" wool cap, fully cotton lined for comfort, folds down to almost make a balaclava. Warm and toasty.
If you look closely I lost my pin badge of a Corn Crake sometime during the night... that will teach me to keep my hat on in bed!

 

[Midnitehound]

Overall I found this the toughest challenge yet - my 56 year old bones prefer a little more comfort!
My PSK lived up to expectations and I have restocked it already for future use.
I have chosen to keep it unchanged as it seems to have all I need but I am thinking of adding a pen torch (if I can squeeze it in) as feeding the fire proved awkward when the fire had burned so low as to give little light to find the best firewood by.
The poles added to the front and rear of the tarp were to stop it flapping in the wind and spilling too much heat.

I highly recommend the Photon Freedom for a camp torch, all you should need, clips on to your hat so it shines hands free where you need it, size and weight very very little, you can carry plenty of Li coin batteries and they last a good long time, loads of features including dimmable, SOS, slow strobe so you can find your camp!. It can be dimmed low as a camp light all night and so you can find it. An awesome bit of kit that as you know is all I use round camp and the NC at the Moot, and it isn't as if I just sit around all night getting ratted. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Photon-PH...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item58a6e68dda

There are much cheaper basic copies but the clip and features are worth the extra £s. I carry two, one white and one nightvision friendly red. Both will actually run well on a single CR2032 rather using 2x CR2016 in the white and carrying different batts.

 

[bushwacker bob]

Still life in the old dog yet

You ain't kidding, 2 condoms for an overnighter! I didn't think he had it in him.

 

[Midnitehound]

You ain't kidding, 2 condoms for an overnighter! I didn't think he had it in him.

I don't think he wanted them in him!! Squeal little piggy, squeal! Perhaps they are for carrying beer.