Favourite "Bushcraft" activities for relaxing

[Man of Tanith]

Evening all
Curious as to the particular "bushcraft activity" every one finds the most relaxing?
For example I absolutely love twisting up cordage, it's a great example of busy hands but idle mind and I often find myself zoning out sat by the fire as I make it, occupied but not having my mind churning constantly.
So what's yours?

 

[Robbi]

Fire making..... How many ways can I make fire.?

 

[Man of Tanith]

Fire making..... How many ways can I make fire.?

Fair one, although some might say fire by friction is not relaxing at first.....

 

[Toddy]

Cordage for me too. I like netmaking as well.
That said, I do like small knife made stuff, like the brushes we made from hazel; somehow very satisfying.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Cordage for me too. I like netmaking as well.
That said, I do like small knife made stuff, like the brushes we made from hazel; somehow very satisfying.

Net making falls under (k)not relaxing for me, it all turns into a snaggledeheap

 

[Pattree]

Just sitting by a fire is enough for me.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Just sitting by a fire is enough for me.

Yup that's always a winner

 

[Toddy]

Net making falls under (k)not relaxing for me, it all turns into a snaggledeheap

I like it; it's one of those peaceful hand eye sort of get into a rhythm activities for me.

 

[Man of Tanith]

I like it; it's one of those peaceful hand eye sort of get into a rhythm activities for me.

I'll have to revisit it, possibly when I'm already very relaxed as I carry the memories of all the failed attempts

 

[Toddy]

It sort of pulls together other crafts too. Carving a netting needle and making cordage.
Even if all you have is a hank of garden sisal, it's something of a skill to practice making cordage.....and any ball of twine will make a net one way or t'other.

I find the 'neolithic knotless net' quick and useful and I can reclaim my cordage too. Makes a good carrying net, or one for peas in the garden.

M

 

[Robbi]

Tent / tarp.... Rain..

Lay Back, chill out, relax and listen to the rain.

 

[Minotaur]

Just sitting by a fire is enough for me.

I agree however I like being able to see the stars.

 

[Kepis]

Bit of whittling, cordage, netting, practice trap making, play with my catapults or sling, wildlife watching, botanising or just sit there staring into the flames of a small fire with a nice cup of tea.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Bit of whittling, cordage, netting, practice trap making, play with my catapults or sling, wildlife watching, botanising or just sit there staring into the flames of a small fire with a nice cup of tea.

All good ones there mate

 

[Broch]

The list is endless and depends where I am and what I'm doing. There is nothing more relaxing than pushing the canoe out into gently moving water, dipping the paddle in, and without haste and as silently as possible, making progress whilst watching the wildlife.

Most of my time in the outdoors these days is working in the wood; but it's good honest work and in itself relaxing and satisfying - thinning, coppicing, snedding, building brash piles ...

Then, after a day's work, and a nice meal, you can't beat sitting around the fire chin-wagging quietly sipping a nice dram as the owls start to come out.

You'll rarely see me whittling a spoon (unless I've forgotten to bring one ), making cordage, or any other 'craft' style activity, but I don't need to be doing something, I am very relaxed just sitting staring into the fire on my own or with good company.

 

[Damascus]

Making small garden dibbers out of hazel, made one for my wife to do her seedlings, making ever since especially for Xmas stockings and birthday.

 

[Woody girl]

I love just sitting, observing, and tending a fire. Sometimes I make things, cordage or spoons tent pegs etc, but mostly I like to sit and watch woodland TV, with a nice cuppa tea, if I'm alone, or having a relaxed chat if I'm with a friend.

 

[Poacherman]

Evening all
Curious as to the particular "bushcraft activity" every one finds the most relaxing?
For example I absolutely love twisting up cordage, it's a great example of busy hands but idle mind and I often find myself zoning out sat by the fire as I make it, occupied but not having my mind churning constantly.
So what's yours?

Fishing

 

[Kadushu]

I have a head full of diverse trivia but usually fail to remember more than a handful of knots, so sometimes I practice a few new ones (=forgotten ones) with a short length of string. If I'm feeling particularly ambitious I use a long shortth of string.

 

[Springchicken]

For me, it has to be carving a spoon. The tarp's up, the fire's lit and I love that quiet, creative process of shaping something useful.