Go careful where you camp

[jackcbr]

I was working in my moter-in-laws wood on Saturday near Gatwick. There had been about 8 of us up there, chainsaws, bonfire, the works!

the light was going and most had headed down to the farm but I was staying on to watch the fire die down. Only to find a couple of armed Policemen escorting my brother-in-law back into the wood. They thought we were terrorist setting up a camp to mortar bomb Gatwick.

Turned out that someone had reported something odd going on in the woods and ten minutes later, the regular (armed) patrol from Gatwick paid us a visit. they could see that we were no threat and we had a bit of a laugh with them.

It was nice to see people were looking out for odd things going on in the wood and that the police acted quickly.

Guess I could be getting a few visits when I'm camping out up there in the future, but at least they know who I am, so that should smooth things over a bit quicker.

 

[Shewie]

Some folk would grumble but I don't have an issue with them watching our backs.

 

[John Fenna]

Nice to have them patroling your woods and keeping undesirables out!
Cheaper than hiring your own security force

 

[resnikov]

Could have been worse, you could have been camping there, nice and warm and cosy, asleep in your sleeping bag and then get woken up by the armed police with a gun in your face. Its not pleasent, I know I've had it done to me. :yikes: A few seconds of blind panic, but then everything was ok.

Just make sure you have a spare cup or 2, I sure they would be happy to have a brew with you if its a cold night and its always good to be firends with the police.

 

[Mang]

Perhaps you could get their station number to ring before you go in the wood?

 

[Barn Owl]

Better safe than sorry when it's near known targets.

 

[sxmolloy]

Perhaps you could get their station number to ring before you go in the wood?

I think I'd second that. Whilst it's good that measures have been taken to protect us from the evils of today, a quick call to say the wood will be occupied at specific times will allow the boys in the blue to carry on with other duties.

 

[Melonfish]

Perhaps you could get their station number to ring before you go in the wood?

Actually i'd advise against this, generally their advice would be "you should not be camping in british woods sir" unless its your land or you have permission (your mother in law for instance) at which point they have no business being on the land themselves.

btw how far away from gatwick is the wood? and where on earth would you get a mortar from?! lol

 

[g4ghb]

I think I'd second that. Whilst it's good that measures have been taken to protect us from the evils of today, a quick call to say the wood will be occupied at specific times will allow the boys in the blue to carry on with other duties.

Plus with the added offer of a brew if they want to drop by whilst on their 'rounds' - good to get them onside I say

 

[g4ghb]

Also another plus side for them is that you would be able to let them know of anything out of the ordinary too!

 

[Mojoracinguk]

and where on earth would you get a mortar from?! lol

Train a nice ash tree to grow a limb in the general direction of the target….wait….wait….wait….wait….then once it’s grown hollow it out…bind it with nettle cordage…rig a trigger using a falling squirrel carcass covered in flint ‘n’ steel.
…..no scrap that, I’m all out of Squirrels …..I’ll keep working on my ladder to the moon….there I can set up my own empire…..seeing as NASA has given up on it…First thing to do when I’m there….put on a brew and set up my hammock (well it is a really long way to climb I supect I’ll be tired)

Slightly hysterical Mojo

 

[Tengu]

There are no trees on the Moon.

Its out of reach of bushcrafters

 

[nunzionuk]

And we all know the moon is made from cheese!

 

[Melonfish]

and has a skiing slot timed robot on it!

<wallace voice>
Wensleydale?

 

[Mojoracinguk]

There are no trees on the Moon.

....it's ok I'm taking some apple pips with me

And we all know the moon is made from cheese!

this may be problematic......I'm not to sure the apple tree root structure will hold fast in cheese...perhaps i will just stay here and read some more threads (sorry to jackcbr for hijacking ruining the thread)

Mojo

 

[Nonsuch]

&#8230;as if terrorists would advertise their intentions with chainsaws and camp-fires&#8230;.But I suppose once someone had reported it the police had to go and have a look

NS

 

[m.durston]

btw how far away from gatwick is the wood? and where on earth would you get a mortar from?! lol

if i recall correctly home made mortars were a firm favourite of the IRA during the troubles. they used to improvise the actual rounds by making them out of gas canisters.
still its nice to see that they are so vigilant in this day and age.

 

[Schism]

Could have been worse, you could have been camping there, nice and warm and cosy, asleep in your sleeping bag and then get woken up by the armed police with a gun in your face. Its not pleasent, I know I've had it done to me. :yikes: A few seconds of blind panic, but then everything was ok.

Just make sure you have a spare cup or 2, I sure they would be happy to have a brew with you if its a cold night and its always good to be firends with the police.

I had that happen when i was about 5 think it's where my fear of the dark started!!

 

[jackcbr]

if i recall correctly home made mortars were a firm favourite of the IRA during the troubles. they used to improvise the actual rounds by making them out of gas canisters.
still its nice to see that they are so vigilant in this day and age.

Spot on there. They did mention that it was a more IRA focused concern rather than IKEA, I mean Al Qaeda. Apparently they've intercepted some intel from Ireland about targeting UK airports.

I did point out to one of the the officers (who looked ex-military) that there was a copse within view that was far more suitable to set up an attack from. He agreed, which did lighten the mood.

I did also mention that we would be up there a fair bit and that we might be seeing a bit of each other. He said not to worry as they were aware of us now and it shouldn't be an issue. I would let them know I'm up there, but as we are Surrey and they were dispatched from West Sussex, not sure who to call. I might give the local community bobby a buzz and see what he suggests.

 

[jackcbr]

Some folk would grumble but I don't have an issue with them watching our backs.

Totally agree, all very civilised and I hold no malice towards them, or the person who called it in. I'd rather get the odd visit in the night and they actually catch whoever keeps trying to break in to the yard next to us, than someone drops a plane on my house.