So,
I've done it. I've completed a Woodlore Fundamental Course. Got back on Saturday evening. It's taken me 2 days just to get used to chairs and running water and all the other things we take for granted!!
So...what did I think of it? One word...
.FANTASTIC!!!
We had one of the hardest weeks ever, as it rained about 85% of the time. Even the course instructors couldn't remember such appaling conditions and were praying for dry weather - however, when the sun did come out, it was really, REALLY appreciated!
What did I learn?
Take far FAR less in terms of gear - you can survive one on set of clothes even in the conditions we had (with some changes of underwear!) as long as you take a good set of water proofs (thank GOD for Goretex!) with you. My rucksack weighed FAR too much, and we did quite a bit of walking.
If you think the weather is going to be inclement, take a larger tarp with you. The standard Aussie hoochie is too small to fit you and your gear under when it's pouring with rain...... Oh, and take a groundsheet with you to put stuff on instead of covering everything you own in mud.
Bring lots of tissues, and baby wipes, and bug repellent (I've got an unusally "sweet" skin - got bitten quite badly!), a small foam pad to sit on when you're on a log stool (spent many hours on one!). :tapedshut
Before you go on a course bathe your hands in surgical spirit nightly for 6 weeks before hand - my hands are like two pieces of raw meat!
Try, try and try again. Don't give up. Things WILL work! One of the main lessons I learned was the mental toughness required. The week was probably one of the toughest things I've done, but I've grown muscles both physically and mentally that I never knew I had!
The instructors were amazing, and full of knowledge, with a soft spoken, accepting demeanour that made things very relaxed. The course was being run during what was a very difficult time for anyone in Woodlore, and yet they involved the group in a way which was incredibly humbling. Ray even made an appearance with the advice "don't let the rain get into your head"....I really appreciated this later on in the week when it did!!!
Finally, the highlight of the week for me, at least, must have been the following....ponassed salmon (we even did our own trout - incredible eating!), camping in bluebell woods, sunlight with no rain (!), the fellow course attendee's, making 11 metres of sweet chestnut bark cordage (aaah, the finger burn! ) the amazing feeling of satisfaction from lighting a fire by friction , and finally, the feeling of being a part OF the landscape instead of being in it.
Thanks to Netty, Bob, Steve and Rob, and fo course the rest of the guys on the course, for a truly memorable time.
Cheers,
Phil
Smile, it makes people wonder what you've been up to!
I've done it. I've completed a Woodlore Fundamental Course. Got back on Saturday evening. It's taken me 2 days just to get used to chairs and running water and all the other things we take for granted!!
So...what did I think of it? One word...
.FANTASTIC!!! We had one of the hardest weeks ever, as it rained about 85% of the time. Even the course instructors couldn't remember such appaling conditions and were praying for dry weather - however, when the sun did come out, it was really, REALLY appreciated!
What did I learn?
Take far FAR less in terms of gear - you can survive one on set of clothes even in the conditions we had (with some changes of underwear!) as long as you take a good set of water proofs (thank GOD for Goretex!) with you. My rucksack weighed FAR too much, and we did quite a bit of walking.
If you think the weather is going to be inclement, take a larger tarp with you. The standard Aussie hoochie is too small to fit you and your gear under when it's pouring with rain...... Oh, and take a groundsheet with you to put stuff on instead of covering everything you own in mud.
Bring lots of tissues, and baby wipes, and bug repellent (I've got an unusally "sweet" skin - got bitten quite badly!), a small foam pad to sit on when you're on a log stool (spent many hours on one!). :tapedshut
Before you go on a course bathe your hands in surgical spirit nightly for 6 weeks before hand - my hands are like two pieces of raw meat!
Try, try and try again. Don't give up. Things WILL work! One of the main lessons I learned was the mental toughness required. The week was probably one of the toughest things I've done, but I've grown muscles both physically and mentally that I never knew I had!
The instructors were amazing, and full of knowledge, with a soft spoken, accepting demeanour that made things very relaxed. The course was being run during what was a very difficult time for anyone in Woodlore, and yet they involved the group in a way which was incredibly humbling. Ray even made an appearance with the advice "don't let the rain get into your head"....I really appreciated this later on in the week when it did!!!
Finally, the highlight of the week for me, at least, must have been the following....ponassed salmon (we even did our own trout - incredible eating!), camping in bluebell woods, sunlight with no rain (!), the fellow course attendee's, making 11 metres of sweet chestnut bark cordage (aaah, the finger burn! ) the amazing feeling of satisfaction from lighting a fire by friction
, and finally, the feeling of being a part OF the landscape instead of being in it.Thanks to Netty, Bob, Steve and Rob, and fo course the rest of the guys on the course, for a truly memorable time.
Cheers,
Phil
Smile, it makes people wonder what you've been up to!
Sounds like you had an absolute ball. Well done
- and agree with everything Phil has said. It was flush toilets that amazed me most and I'm hoping my hands will look clean someday soon. The other advice on this course and the kit to take that is on previous threads was also worth following.
