Saturday afternoon during the assessment phase of my Woodlore FBC course. Up until then I had only got smoke from my hearth and no ember.
The pressure was on because I knew I needed to make fire to get a good assessment grade.
Start bowing, nice and easy - using the full length of the bow and firm but not heavy pressure on the bearing block. Just warming the hearth up - then a little whisp of smoke from the base of the drill.
Start increasing the pressure and step up the tempo on the bowing - more smoke! Ok lock the bearing arm onto the shin, keep everything on the bearing side tight incase I lose control and shoot the drill into the bushes. Keep the bowing action fluid, not too manic and keep using the full length of the string.
OK good smoke now - I'm on my way. Count out loud - they will think I am nuts but this is my best shot!. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... fifty strokes should be enough, keep concentrating on the bearing block - dont let it slip, keep the bowing smooth .. 9, 10; 40 ... 10 more ... 9, 10; 50!
Things looking good, easy with the hearth ... theres a pile of soot on the plate ... AND ITS SMOKING! OK keep calm, tilt the hearth back, a little nudge with this twig, Oh My God, its still smoking - I think I have an ember!!!
Let it breath, its like a new born baby, let it get to know the world, let it breath for a few seconds - get its strength up .... damn where's my nest?!! - Whew, ok the nest is ok, open it up and make sure the thistle down is in the middle ready to receive its precious cargo.
Come on little ember time to do you work, gently now into you loverly down and straw bed ... there nice and comfy and warm, let me tuck you up a bit ... let me close the bed around you....
A gentle blow, almost a kiss ... harder now I can see the bright red glow! This is looking good, I hope the instructor is watching. Keep blowing, MY GOD THIS SMOKE IS CHOKING ME! ... think and remember ... hold the nest high, back to the wind, whaft it down to take a breath ... thats better!
Blowing stronger now, I can feel the heat on my hands - where's the fire. Another bow, hands getting hotter - still no fire! More blowing - my lungs cant keep this up much more - I think I'm going to need plastic surgery on my hands! WHERE IS THE GODDAMNED FIRE!!??
OK I think my hands are going to combust before the tinder does - This isnt straw its :***::***::***::***::***::***: asbestos! Damn I need the fire soon and an ambulance to follow - I am not giving up until I have either fire or two charred stumps where my hands used to be. This smoke would make James Bond's Q proud, they can probably see my smoke across the channel, my lungs are raw from inhaling huge quantities of the stuff!
Please, I cant take this any more, a few more puffs - WHOOF!!!! HOLY CRAP!! FIRE - Whoot!
In the begining all was dark, then I said let there be fire and there was fire - then I said let there be burn cream and there was none.
Yep, my first time was pretty good
that is the hardest tree ident I have ever seen 
