I got back last night from a great weekend course with the Bushtruck company based in North Yorks. Its the second time Ive done a course with them and I was absolutely cream crackered when I got home, again. The setup is slightly different to a lot of the mainstream schools in that the numbers are kept smaller so theres more one to one interaction with the instructors.
This course was based around preparing for wilderness canoe trips in remote locations both in the UK and abroad. This was going to be really useful for trips I'm planning across the pond one day. I learnt loads of new bushy skills and canoeing techniques and despite the iffy weather on Friday/Saturday morning, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend.
Once again my camera spat its dummy out because it got damp inside so sorry for the poor piccies.
Getting loaded up on the tow path.
Ajrian (sorry if Ive spelt your name wrong, whod flown in from Holland in the morning), Greg, Sara and Gail hitting the water for the first time.
We had our route blocked on the journey because somebody couldnt drive their barge.
It was pinned either end I think so a couple of the guys messed around with ropes for a while and got it straightened up eventually. In the meantime a lady came out of her waterside home and offered us all a cuppa, given the cold wind and persistent downpours we gladly took her up on the offer.
Sorting out some firewood.
Base for the weekend.
Jim showing us his bow he made on a course last year.
Mike showing us some wet weather fire lighting techniques.
Using a propped up candle to dry out wet wood and making an oven effect by covering with sycamore bark.
My effort.
Making supplies Bear proof.
Will demonstrating how to properly cook trout over the fire.
Greg, Jim and I sneaked off for a dusk paddle while the rest of the group were chilling by the fire.
Will doing the old feather stick thing.
I took loads of pictures from the weekend but hardly any came out, lucky you
The course was led by Mike Armstrong who runs Bushtruck, whos a great teacher, very knowledgeable in all aspects of bushcraft and general outdoor skills and an all round top banana. Will was the other instructor who again really knew his stuff and was always keen to share his skills with us. If anyone's interesting in doing a course in the north of England but you don't want to pay the high prices some of the other schools charge then they're definitely worth checking out.
So all in all a superb weekend with a great bunch of folk.
This course was based around preparing for wilderness canoe trips in remote locations both in the UK and abroad. This was going to be really useful for trips I'm planning across the pond one day. I learnt loads of new bushy skills and canoeing techniques and despite the iffy weather on Friday/Saturday morning, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend.
Once again my camera spat its dummy out because it got damp inside so sorry for the poor piccies.
Getting loaded up on the tow path.
Ajrian (sorry if Ive spelt your name wrong, whod flown in from Holland in the morning), Greg, Sara and Gail hitting the water for the first time.
We had our route blocked on the journey because somebody couldnt drive their barge.
It was pinned either end I think so a couple of the guys messed around with ropes for a while and got it straightened up eventually. In the meantime a lady came out of her waterside home and offered us all a cuppa, given the cold wind and persistent downpours we gladly took her up on the offer.
Sorting out some firewood.
Base for the weekend.
Jim showing us his bow he made on a course last year.
Mike showing us some wet weather fire lighting techniques.
Using a propped up candle to dry out wet wood and making an oven effect by covering with sycamore bark.
My effort.
Making supplies Bear proof.
Will demonstrating how to properly cook trout over the fire.
Greg, Jim and I sneaked off for a dusk paddle while the rest of the group were chilling by the fire.
Will doing the old feather stick thing.
I took loads of pictures from the weekend but hardly any came out, lucky you
The course was led by Mike Armstrong who runs Bushtruck, whos a great teacher, very knowledgeable in all aspects of bushcraft and general outdoor skills and an all round top banana. Will was the other instructor who again really knew his stuff and was always keen to share his skills with us. If anyone's interesting in doing a course in the north of England but you don't want to pay the high prices some of the other schools charge then they're definitely worth checking out.
So all in all a superb weekend with a great bunch of folk.
