Creature Comforts

[ProsperousPrimate]

I am starting this thread, just for fun and, with the idea of trying to invent ways to create yourself some of the more luxurious items that (who knows if you become stranded on some desert island and soon begin to enjoy your new habitat and never want to leave) you may still want to own.

I am not talking about the whittling of spoons or bowls. I am refering to less essential items that you could mash together using your more traditional methods. Say your island you have suddenly become stranded on is your paradise but you really wish that the lovely crispy clear blue waters could be explored with some flippers, mask and snorkel!

Maybe your island is missing a golf course. I am just curious as to how you could create some of these items.

I am unsure if I have posted this in the right place as it's more of just a fun thread to see what you can come up with.

 

[hiho]

welcome to the forum

 

[ProsperousPrimate]

Cheers, I didn't see a newbie thread so I thought i'd delve right in there with a question that was on the top of my head. I sort of consider it a valid question since bushcraft isn't all about survival right?

I'm sure these tribes that live, effectively, a life of bushcraft still find times for play. I don't know, but aren't boomerangs sort of in this criteria since it's my understanding that they were not used to hunt and rather we for fun... am I correct?

I think it'll be a fun little thread

 

[tobes01]

I like this one. Time to put together a crystal set so that I don't miss I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue when I'm in the woods

 

[Goatboy]

Hi ProsperousPrimate,
Welcome to the site and yes an excellent thread. What would I make. Some stuff came to mind and then I thought "...no, these are secondary survival items, like an adobe oven, not required but nice to have round..."
If on the traditional Caribbean Island ( to hot for me I fear ) then I think some sort of coconut ballista to keep my eye in, provide some entertainment and a novel way of opening the darn things as well as for paradise defense would be a good start.
TTFN
Goatboy.

 

[Northsky]

Can Ursila Andress be doing a bit of shell fishing on this here island?

 

[ProsperousPrimate]

I like this one. Time to put together a crystal set so that I don't miss I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue when I'm in the woods

I'm curious as to how you might accomplish this one

I realise I left it quite open but I am curious more so about how you might make your comforts with your bushcraft knowledge, however.. Still it's fun to hear what you might miss back at home if you were ever stranded on paradise island. Ursula Andress would be a great addition to the island.... but how would you make her, haha

I have been having a think about a pair of flippers.

Perhaps two young bendy untapered saplings could be shaven in the middle in order to create a nice fitted arc around the heel and lashed onto your feet with some nettle cordage (or otherwise) then shaoed along the flipper edges to make them bend with each stroke finally with some very broad leaves around the flipper end of the sapling reinforced with more cordage?

You'll have to really try to visualise it, but it looks good in my head!

Now all I need is a snorkel, mask..... and speargun

 

[Goatboy]

Oh and then a still for making rum http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JImcvtJzIK8&feature=related
And then a sledge like in the 1975 series of Swiss Family Robinson, so that I can pretend I'm somewhere cold, would also be usefull for other things like moving heavy objects. Argghh I'm becoming all practical again.
Goatboy

 

[Goatboy]

I'm curious as to how you might accomplish this one

I realise I left it quite open but I am curious more so about how you might make your comforts with your bushcraft knowledge, however.. Still it's fun to hear what you might miss back at home if you were ever stranded on paradise island. Ursula Andress would be a great addition to the island.... but how would you make her, haha

I have been having a think about a pair of flippers.

Perhaps two young bendy untapered saplings could be shaven in the middle in order to create a nice fitted arc around the heel and lashed onto your feet with some nettle cordage (or otherwise) then shaoed along the flipper edges to make them bend with each stroke finally with some very broad leaves around the flipper end of the sapling reinforced with more cordage?

You'll have to really try to visualise it, but it looks good in my head!

Now all I need is a snorkel, mask..... and speargun

Think either animal or shark skin would be better between two staves to create a flipper.

 

[ProsperousPrimate]

Think either animal or shark skin would be better between two staves to create a flipper.

Valid point! I really have shown my newbieness

 

[tobes01]

I take it back on the crystal set. Let's build something more realistic. Like a still. That'll make life pass at a more pleasant rate

 

[Northsky]

don't all prardise islands have an Ursila Andress on em?

 

[Goatboy]

don't all prardise islands have an Ursila Andress on em?

Or Halle Berry ala the new James Bonds...

No on the flipper front, some fibres / leaves may work, was just making my life easy.... Though I now have to kill a shark...

 

[tobes01]

At risk of this becoming a Bond girl thread, Diana Rigg wins hands down. Just no contest. That's worth being stuck on a desert island for. Or in a pit of boiling oil for that matter

 

[rivermom]

Sheesh, you guys are all the same. How the heck do ye ever manage to survive?

Now, for serious comforts to the survival situation you need to design a good sauna. This is absolutely vital for easing sore muscles after a day building shelters and chopping firewood and hunting meat.

And did you know that humans had figured out fermentation over a thousand years before they figured out how to make soap? By the sounds of you darlings, some things have not changed much.

 

[Goatboy]

Hey Rivermom,
As you say in your "occupation" We're just being human...

And just think, fermentation is an essential, soap just kills of healthy things on the skin, fresh water and or salty water is all we need.
Irony is a wonderful thing.
GB

 

[Goatboy]

Would also haveto find a way to reproduce the two treats we just had, my mutt was munching... I know it's late, on some livercake
1 lb. liver (preferably lamb)
2 eggs
3 to 4 cloves of garlic
12 ozs. self-raising flour
1/2 pint water

Method
Pulverise the raw liver, eggs and garlic in a blender or food processor.
Add flour and mix.
Once blended, add water or milk.
Pour mixture into a line cake tin (7-8 inches).
Cook at gas mark 5/180 degrees for half an hour or until the mixture is firm to touch.
Cut into squares when cool.

I was on one of my faves, gooseberry fool.
450g (1lb) Gooseberries
340ml (12 floz) Double cream
25g (1oz) Butter
2 tbsp Sugar

Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan and add the gooseberries and sugar.
Cover the saucepan and cook over a lowe heat until the gooseberries are soft and mushy (approx. ½ hour).

Remove the gooseberries from the saucepan, beat to a pulp with a wooden spoon.
Pass the pulp through a sieve, discarding the skins and pips.
Taste the gooseberries and if too tart add more sugar.
Set aside and allow to cool.
Whip the cream and gently fold into the gooseberry pulp.
Divide equally into small glasses.
Chill for at least one hour before serving


Do I / we have to go if these aren't possible...lol

GB

 

[rik_uk3]

Sod the flippers, brew booze, that is a number one priority and if island life is like the films you'll meet a man or woman Friday and they can worry about the fishing while you have a drink and top up your tan

The crystal set is a good idea, I hate missing Radio Four and 'A Book At Bedtime'

 

[Tengu]

I really need a bookshelf for all those books Im going to bring

 

[ProsperousPrimate]

Ah, A BushBrew thread would probably have been a better first choice. My guess is there already is one! I am curious might save me some money in my final year if I brew my own booze from nettles or otherwise!