It's bank holiday half term. My daughter had said that she would like to camp out. We had had a successful deer hunt a short time ago and she was keen to experience a full night in the forest. We had a practise night in the garden which went well, and as I have recently gained permission to over night in a huge, untouched, mixed woodland, I decided the time was right to introduce her to proper, wild, 7 year old safe trips. We packed our gear. My daughter wrote her list. Now either she is an ultra light fan already, or someone is underestimating the night ahead.....lol
After being dropped off by mummy, it was a short hike into the woods. Chatting and exploring all the way, it wasn't long before we found these little fellas climbing up our arms.
It took some time to find a sheltered site. There are so many good spots in the forest, but when you're keeping a little one interested you can't be too picky. I let her pick our spot herself, with a little guidance we ended up here.
We had a visit from the owner of the forest. I helped him shoo away some pesky trail bikers who were tearing up the forest floor and making a racket. No deer spotting tonight now eh? After a short chat with him, he let us be and I guided my daughter on making a fire with birch bark and a ferro rod.
She needed help with the ferro rod as her hands are too tiny, but we got it going and soon had a brew on.
We collected more fire wood with a Laplander and my SFA. She is always helpful and carried some dry standing herself.
I prepared a long log fire, ready for the night and got dinner on the go. I had chicken noodles mixed with smoked tuna and coffee. Little one had hot dogs in rolls cooked on the fire.
After dinner we lay in the hammock for a bit....
As evening became dusk we went exploring again. On the forest edge we came across a meadow which was full of wild edibles. I showed her some pig nut and sheep sorrel.
We found a water source so filled up our cooking pots and put them on the fire to sterilise.
Once they were bubbling away for a few minutes we put them to one side and cracked on with some very traditional toasted marsh mellows!
It got darker. Little one got tired. We got into bed and enjoyed the warmth of the fire.
It's morning.....
Time to light the fire and have breakfast.
We slowly packed up our gear then cleared away the fire properly. Little one helped spread the damp cooled ashes.
With bellies full and everything back as it was before, we hiked out to meet back up with mummy.
I thoroughly recommend getting out with your kids. We both had a great time and we're able to have loads of fun. And I got to enjoy toasted marsh mellows 'because my daughter wanted them.....' lol.
One last pic!
Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
After being dropped off by mummy, it was a short hike into the woods. Chatting and exploring all the way, it wasn't long before we found these little fellas climbing up our arms.
It took some time to find a sheltered site. There are so many good spots in the forest, but when you're keeping a little one interested you can't be too picky. I let her pick our spot herself, with a little guidance we ended up here.
We had a visit from the owner of the forest. I helped him shoo away some pesky trail bikers who were tearing up the forest floor and making a racket. No deer spotting tonight now eh? After a short chat with him, he let us be and I guided my daughter on making a fire with birch bark and a ferro rod.
She needed help with the ferro rod as her hands are too tiny, but we got it going and soon had a brew on.
We collected more fire wood with a Laplander and my SFA. She is always helpful and carried some dry standing herself.
I prepared a long log fire, ready for the night and got dinner on the go. I had chicken noodles mixed with smoked tuna and coffee. Little one had hot dogs in rolls cooked on the fire.
After dinner we lay in the hammock for a bit....
As evening became dusk we went exploring again. On the forest edge we came across a meadow which was full of wild edibles. I showed her some pig nut and sheep sorrel.
We found a water source so filled up our cooking pots and put them on the fire to sterilise.
Once they were bubbling away for a few minutes we put them to one side and cracked on with some very traditional toasted marsh mellows!
It got darker. Little one got tired. We got into bed and enjoyed the warmth of the fire.
It's morning.....
Time to light the fire and have breakfast.
We slowly packed up our gear then cleared away the fire properly. Little one helped spread the damp cooled ashes.
With bellies full and everything back as it was before, we hiked out to meet back up with mummy.
I thoroughly recommend getting out with your kids. We both had a great time and we're able to have loads of fun. And I got to enjoy toasted marsh mellows 'because my daughter wanted them.....' lol.
One last pic!
Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
