Overseas Latvia

[Wayne]

I’m currently in Latvia looking at locations for Bushcraft and open canoeing and amreally enjoying the opportunity to explore huge tracts of forest in search of wild life and interesting views.



One of the end points of our canoe trips.

Lovely campsite with fire pit and composting toilet.





Lots of Pine, Birch, Buckthorn and Alder.






Sandstone outcrops lead to interesting formations and water sources.



Today I spent time with a traditional walking stick maker but was too busy chatting to take pictures.

Tomorrow off deeper into the woods. Hoping to spot some large mammals. Lots of tracks today but only saw a few deer.

 

[Kepis]

Lovely country and lovely people, been there a few times working, but unfortunately never got outside of Riga.

 

[bopdude]

Looks great, the Step Daughter has just flown out there today, what are the laws on wild camping and wood collection ?

 

[Toddy]

Beautiful country, and helpful people too Many of them are still very much in touch with their cultural heritage crafts as part of everyday life......and the signs are written in Roman alphabet not Cyrillic, which is surprisingly helpful
I wish our heritage centres were as well supported, I really do.

M

 

[Janne]

They used Latin writing as they were civilised by the Teutonic Order I believe?

 

[Toddy]

When I went there (conference, but we were taken around the country to various archaeology and cultural heritage sites too) one lady explained that as soon as the Russians were gone they changed all the street signs, all the official letters, teaching in schools, etc., from Cyrillic to Roman. There are a lot of Russians living in the major towns, and weren't best pleased but the rest of the population were behind the change. I don't remember clearly, but I think she did say something about it being a change back to what they had had before so was part and parcel of their Independence.
M

 

[Wayne]

Looks great, the Step Daughter has just flown out there today, what are the laws on wild camping and wood collection ?

Having had a long chat today with a forester and the local tourist folk.

Wild camping is acceptable but fires on other folks land is not allowed without their permission. There are lots of places that allow fires though.

Yes

Not my fire as it’s green pine in the fire place. I guess the locals need a few tips.

 

[Wayne]

Today spent more time investigating cultural and wilderness options.

Is England the only country that doesn’t tolerate folk enjoying the great outdoors. Must be something to do with population pressures.








Also learned about the Linovian Order and the Tutonic Knights. I walked their paths in the forests of north eastern Poland but had not realised their influence in the Baltic was so profound.
Our Education system just focuses too narrowly.

 

[lancs lad]

My girlfriend is from Lithuania and she tells me the forests are beautiful back home I am yet to go out there to visit her family but can't wait to see the countryside

 

[Janne]

Proper forests, those!

I think the green wood branches were placed there for 'next time', as it will be dry then.
Used to be done in Sweden too. Dry, split wood absorbs more moisture.

 

[Wayne]

Oddly today I spend discussing habitat restoration with some ecologists.

Specifically the marshland and wetlands here in the national park.

They were very excited about the increase in beaver numbers and it’s positive effect on the wetland as a whole.

Better flood management and increased fish and wild foul populations were cited.

This leads to a growth in visitor numbers boating and fishing. Viewing areas were being improved in a number of sites to facilitate beaver watching.