chrisvreugd said:
hi, nice there're a lot of dutchies :You_Rock_
but there raised another question, how do you all learn your skills, do you guys meet, or know each other from something??? Or are you just lonely bushcrafters that learn from them self, and meet at the forum.....like me.....
I've been on the Woodlore Fundamental Bushcraft course in July 2004, so that's where I learnt most of what I know. I try to practice my skills whenever I've got some spare time ... which is not much lately: uni exams are about to start
On the course (on which I was the only dutchie) I met a few of the UK members of BCUK (Paganwolf, Kim, Dave Bliss) ... but never met one of the other dutchies in real life, only happen to know them through BCUK.
Using the bowdrill can be done in your backyard (or in your local park on a quiet spot: just drill until you get a nice ember, and then start all over - ... don't start a real fire, 'cause your not allowed to in a public place.
Just as carving: in your backyard (great to do this time of year with a fire basket
(vuurkorf) - the fire of course started with bowdrill or fire flash with some natural tinder (my favourite). Making string can be done in the train
or on a night near the fireplace (but that's not romantic). Using your knife: prepare food or carve a spoon. Lighting fires: in your garden (don't burn your shed). Pitch your basha in your local park or wood: just for the day. If you've got a large garden: pitch it there and do a overnighter (if Mrs Vreugd allows you to
). Skinning game: contact you local butcher or
poelier and have a chat with them - christmas is near: bunnies galore ... Same goes for fish: fishmonger (sp?). Make some day forays in your woods, or go on a plant course (medical / edible) at you local botanical garden
(heemtuin) I've been on a free one, organised in a town nearby.
I know it's more fun when you're with several people. But lots of us do it on their own ... and when something doesn't work they'll contact the guys here on BCUK for advice. After that it mostly works out nice and fine.
Hope to visit a meet of one of the guys in the UK one day ... but it all depends on when they organise it and when I've got time (from uni) to go to the UK. Maybe next january ... maybe next summer ...
Mostly to meet some people I've met on here and also for doing some serious bushcraft, which isn't possible in our overregulated country ...