When I start my bundle I start with a thumb joint sized nest of clematis dust, held in place with pampas grass head, with dried clematis stalks as a third layer, all held in a curl of the thin silver birch bark. I dont place the ember in the middle, but off to one end, so that once my ember is in the little egg of clematis dust I can roll up the bundle into a tube and blow through the end spreading the heat along the length, warming/drying as it goes, If I prepare my bundle carefully (and Ive been known to rush and fail) Ive managed to light my fire even on the dampest of days. (al la summer at the moot)
