A weekend with Paul Kirtley Part 1 (VERY pic heavy)

[Mesquite]

8 of the Rough Close Meeters social group had the pleasure of spending the weekend with Paul Kirtley. Paul joined us late on the Friday night after a terrible journey that took 4 1/2hrs instead of the expected 2 1/2hrs but we soon refreshed him with a fresh baked pizza and a bottle of Crabbies

The next morning we set off with Paul for a walk round Rough Close. Paul soon started pointing out things like the fact that we had Norwegian Maple on site but everyone assumed it was plain old sycamore. It was amazing the things we took for granted or didn't realise were there so it was great having a fresh pair of eyes

Whilst we were out he demonstrated the art of making withies

We then carried on looking at various plants and trees

Then we came upon an Elder laden berries and he told us about making a cordial with them so of course we had to try

The cordial turned out pretty good but did need sweetening

The afternoon was then spent making salmon trolling hooks used by Native Americans on the northwest coast of America

Gathering the roots needed for the lashings

We then carved the components and split the roots

The finished products

After the craft session Paul gave a master class in carving feather sticks

We then broke for dinner – Roast leg of lamb with veg very kindly cooked by MartinK9 ably assisted by Decorum

This was followed by Peach Cobbler which you can read about here. It was truly delicious.

Thank you very much for the cooking Martin, the food was fantastic

Paul then spent the evening doing a show and tell about his Arctic kit which was fascinating and gave us a good understanding in the needs of multi layers and how they should be used

We then spent the evening chatting round the fire and just enjoying each others company

 

[MartinK9]

Great Pics and a great weekend thanks Steve and Paul.

 

[MartinK9]

double post.

 

[Mesquite]

The Sunday morning was spent again on a walk around Rough Close stopping off to practice the lesson he gave in making withies

We found some Artists bracket fungus

And some other mushrooms

The rest of the morning was spent gathering materials needed to make some treble hooks out of feather quills, thorns and pine resin

Paul melting down the resin

Unfortunately I didn’t get any pics of the finished products

The afternoon was then spent learning the art of fire by friction using the hand drill

Carving the notch in a clematis hearth board

And off he goes

A minute or less there’s an ember (I didn’t time Paul but he was pretty quick)

Where there’s smoke…

…There’s fire

We then had a go…

Even young Adam had a go

Then on his very first attempt…

Roly got an ember!!!

Unfortunately it didn’t take in the tinder bundle so Paul gave him a few pointers

Then he was off again and in next to no time he had his second ember!!!

This started to produce smoke as he blew upon the tinder bundle

And he succeeded in breathing it into a fire. Well done mate

Unfortunately my battery then died on me but the weekend’s activities had just about come to a halt after the hand drill.

It was a brilliant weekend which I for one thoroughly enjoyed. Paul is a great instructor with a great wealth of knowledge and it really shows he wants to share that knowledge with his students. The comments from the rest of group echoed what I thought and everyone enjoyed themselves.

If your group would like to invite Paul to one of your meets he can be contacted either through his blog or his bushcraft company

 

[Twodogs]

Nice one

 

[Retired Member southey]

BRILLIANT! what a boon getting Mr Kirtley there too guys, very well done, the pic of The young lad giving the hand drill a shot really sums up what learning all this is about, great pics Steve

I keep looking at the French river Exped with Paul's company very cool!

 

[Mesquite]

BRILLIANT! what a boon getting Mr Kirtley there too guys, very well done, the pic of The young lad giving the hand drill a shot really sums up what learning all this is about, great pics Steve

I keep looking at the French river Exped with Paul's company very cool! Frontier Bushcraft

So do I Southey, if I had the money spare I'd book it in a flash

 

[sasquatch]

Thanks for sharing pics Steve and of course organising this! Big thanks to Paul for sharing all the knowledge in a laid back but informative style and to everyone else that attended. Great weekend, many thanks!

 

[addo]

Looks like great weekend guys, glad you had fun.

 

[Neumo]

I keep looking at the French river Exped with Paul's company very cool! Frontier Bushcraft

Why did you have to go and show me that..... 5 Minuites ago I did not need a canoe trip in Canada but now I do soooooo much. Time to start saving, me thinks. That is ticking all my boxes big time.

 

[Shewie]

Looks like a useful weekend, cheers for sharing Steve

 

[geordienemisis]

Well looks like all concerned had a whale of a time. As you said about a fresh pair of eyes, its really amazing what you don't see in a place where you spend lots of time. Paul is really up to the mark with his skills and an excellent teacher. I am a tad envious.

 

[dr jones]

Id like to thank everyone , especially Steve for a fantastic weekend with Paul K , really enjoyed it and learnt alot , brilliant. Look- ing forward to getting up that way again . always good to see everyone . Once again cheers
ATB roly

 

[drewdunnrespect]

looks ausome steve thanks for sharing

 

[Bodge]

Wow, what a weekend. A big thank you to everyone who attended. Also thanks for the evening meal Martin. Adam had a great time and fitted in very well with everyones help.
Nice photos too Steve

 

[Paul K]

It was a great weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed being there. Thanks for being so welcoming and for all the fantastic cooking - Bodge's oatcakes and MartinK9's Dutch oven skills are not to be underestimated! Thanks to Mesquite for organising things - it was great to work with such a keen and knowledgeable group and I hope to see you all again at some point.

All the best

Paul

 

[Smith28]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like an awesome time and a great dude to learn from!

 

[sandbender]

Great pics, looks like you all had a great time. The Scottish meet folks should drag Paul north of the border for one of their meets.

 

[Karl82]

Looks like a great weekend of leaning nice pics.

 

[Wayland]

I think I've been beaten to most pictures but I'll put up some of mine too just in case.

All in all a great weekend. Thanks go to Steve for organising it, Paul for his skill and insight, Martin and Bodge for their amazing catering and of course everybody else for their excellent company.