Hello to all!
I'm Baelfore/Stephen.
This forum was a regular part of my life for many years, both as a lurker then an active member, and I am lucky enough to own several brilliant pieces of kit from the talented folk on here.
My involvement both here and in bushcraft in general was paused a several years ago when my youngest managed to do significant damage to my lower back and shoulder, pausing everything bar being fit for work (social care). In fairness to have him, he was 18 months old so he didn't do it on purpose! (As he likes to remind me!)
This unfortunately coincided with my wife developing a degenerative sight condition and led to me having to park all possible risk hobbies like my crafts and nights in the bush, having become the only driver/income in the house.
This isn't intended as a sob story, more as a bit of background for those I used to know who are still active here on why I suddenly disappeared, particularly the one or two I may have left hanging and unanswered in terms of possible swaps/trades.
Thankfully I can now say that my partner's condition is now being successfully managed through optical injections, I have moved to a less physically demanding role in my organisation and have been working with an osteopath and instructor to strengthen my back and shoulder.
My 2 amazing sons Rowan (7) and James (5) are now old enough to start getting involved in all the things that gave me a bit of internal peace, the biggest being working towards my first night under a tarp in years next February!
Anyway, this was just a long winded way of saying hi again and glad to be getting back involved with the forum that was such a big part of my formative years!
Glad to see this community continue to exist and grow.
All the best,
Stephen
I'm Baelfore/Stephen.
This forum was a regular part of my life for many years, both as a lurker then an active member, and I am lucky enough to own several brilliant pieces of kit from the talented folk on here.
My involvement both here and in bushcraft in general was paused a several years ago when my youngest managed to do significant damage to my lower back and shoulder, pausing everything bar being fit for work (social care). In fairness to have him, he was 18 months old so he didn't do it on purpose! (As he likes to remind me!)
This unfortunately coincided with my wife developing a degenerative sight condition and led to me having to park all possible risk hobbies like my crafts and nights in the bush, having become the only driver/income in the house.
This isn't intended as a sob story, more as a bit of background for those I used to know who are still active here on why I suddenly disappeared, particularly the one or two I may have left hanging and unanswered in terms of possible swaps/trades.
Thankfully I can now say that my partner's condition is now being successfully managed through optical injections, I have moved to a less physically demanding role in my organisation and have been working with an osteopath and instructor to strengthen my back and shoulder.
My 2 amazing sons Rowan (7) and James (5) are now old enough to start getting involved in all the things that gave me a bit of internal peace, the biggest being working towards my first night under a tarp in years next February!
Anyway, this was just a long winded way of saying hi again and glad to be getting back involved with the forum that was such a big part of my formative years!
Glad to see this community continue to exist and grow.
All the best,
Stephen
