Nice one Ray...................I like the new direction and the way he is developing himself, after all doing exactly the same thing all the time gets predictable and boring.
Northern Wilderness, your thoughts?
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I pondered this point too. I know he seeks permission but this shelter was made of 18(?) felled trees, I didn't think he'd be allowed to do that in the area.
I still hanker, for a series based on UK prehistory/archaeology/trad crafts however, which would make a fantastic showcase for the many and varied, highly skilled, crafts-people across our land, as opposed to repeatedly telling us how great the traditional crafts-people are everywhere else
I guess people are right in saying how many times can you watch Ray use a bow drill, but I agree that the UK equivalent of this super series would be fantastic...A showcase of UK skills and history.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the series but I think you make some very constructive points as to how it could have been made even better....
This morning I watched the first 20 minutes of the west coat one, got to when he's just meeting the ladies father and talking about carving. It's good and really does inspire.
Good comments Robin and thanks for sharing the pics in your other post, the canoe especially was a good one
Mind you I think if he had of done that he could have spent the whole series based on the west coast of Canada and still just scratched the surface.
Generally I enjoyed it, it was a good program telling you of the old techniques and methods that people used rather than showing you everything. He involved the history, not just of the indigenous people, but of the explorers who learnt from them and of a nation.
I think the general idea of this program is to get people to actually follow up on what they have seen and research an amount of it themselves, if they are interested in a specific subject they'll learn it. As others have said if he spent his time instructing methods he would be there for a very long time and unfortunately it's still television and he has to work to constraints of time and funding.
I can also appreciate people saying that it would have been nice of him to show more in the way of skills, instructing through the media format of TV, but he probably isn't the person to instruct some of these skills, it maybe others.
For those that say they are bored with watching him do the bow drill, well that's all well and good, but how many times have people been on this forum asking about method and materials for just that, I don't think we've had the response of "Oh god not that again" yet and so should it be.
Everyone needs to learn and if that's the only means then that's it.
I think the general idea of this program is to get people to actually follow up on what they have seen and research an amount of it themselves, if they are interested in a specific subject they'll learn it. As others have said if he spent his time instructing methods he would be there for a very long time and unfortunately it's still television and he has to work to constraints of time and funding.
I can also appreciate people saying that it would have been nice of him to show more in the way of skills, instructing through the media format of TV, but he probably isn't the person to instruct some of these skills, it maybe others.
For those that say they are bored with watching him do the bow drill, well that's all well and good, but how many times have people been on this forum asking about method and materials for just that, I don't think we've had the response of "Oh god not that again" yet and so should it be.
Everyone needs to learn and if that's the only means then that's it.
I think some would quite like the Woodlore "Fundamental Bushcraft" course transcribed for TV. i.e. More detail than is usually presented in his programmes.
DVD arrived this Morning,extras are OK, a nice bit of carving by Ray of a fishing Net Needle, could of done without the cheesey music though 
I watched the whole series yesterday(yes I do have too much spare time) and I thought it was great! It sure made me want snowshoes though...
That noggin that he carved was really cool too.
That noggin that he carved was really cool too.
I agree with leon-1 completely, I think Ray is trying to show what inspired him to go out and learn the skills he now has and demonstrates. He discovers books about people who really did go out and live the bushcraft life and then he goes to where the events took place and meets the people and learns the skills. He worked at a job just like the rest of us and saved to be able to persue his passion, now he is trying to show everyone else how they too can do it . For me this is "teach a man to fish" at a higher level. If you are unwilling to do the same because of family commitments, morghages and job etc then that is your choice.
If you want an instructional program showing skills in detail buy an instructional DVD or go on a course.
Yes it would be great to have a show based in the UK showing UK people and their skills, unfortunately this country has been "civilised for so long there are almost no part of the country that hasn't been changed by man. There are no people left in this country that use bushcraft skills as a part of every day life at all and that is why research has to be done in remote parts of the world where people still have to rely on these skills in every day life. A good knowlege of local UK materials and conditions will then enable you to make an educated guess as to how the skills might have been applied in the UK.
I thought this was done brilliantly in the Wild Food programmes with Gordon. They used their research in other countries and knowlege of local materials and conditions to show you what they thought might have happened. If you disagree do your own research and experiments and who knows if you have a point or find a better way of using a resourse you might be invited to be in a future series!
Bit of a mega post rant there SORRY!
Search youtube for 'bow drill' and you get over 700 video links come up, don't think Ray needs to do any more (all his Wild Tracks are on youtube)
eh nope...there were at least 40 five minute episodes made of wild/country track´s. I videotaped 26 of them years ago and only 10 or so of them are on youtube as far as I know.
Cheers,
Tom
I loved Northern Wilderness, I like the way RM works with indigenous people, very respectful.
Given that the Canadian outdoors is our spiritual home, and we try to get out there as often as we can, even Mrs Gf sat and watched the series. We saw a lot of familiar places and can't wait to go back as soon as possible!
Given that the Canadian outdoors is our spiritual home, and we try to get out there as often as we can, even Mrs Gf sat and watched the series. We saw a lot of familiar places and can't wait to go back as soon as possible!
Well I've just seen the Extras on the DVD and I liked them. I'd say they weren't as good as wild foods but good viewing.
I like how blunt he is about Kevin's knife.
I like how blunt he is about Kevin's knife.
I still hanker, for a series based on UK prehistory/archaeology/trad crafts however, which would make a fantastic showcase for the many and varied, highly skilled, crafts-people across our land, as opposed to repeatedly telling us how great the traditional crafts-people are everywhere else
A good effort and beautifully done
cheers
R.B.
they've had several people of that ilk on progs like Victorian Farm and Tales From the Green Valley. Back in the day, Jack Hargreaves (or Bob Fleming
) did several programmes like that as well. I agree with you, a programme like that would be excellent, tho if you peruse some of the "specialist video" sections you find at sellers at steam fairs and the like, you can find that a lot of things like that have been made independently, solely for the video market. I bought several on horse ploughing and so on at a recentish one.
they've had several people of that ilk on progs like Victorian Farm and Tales From the Green Valley. Back in the day, Jack Hargreaves (or Bob Fleming
Those are two very good series, as is all the Hargreaves I've seen. I've often thought Mr M or someone similar might do well to make a series where each episode he takes a traditional skill -- bladesmithing say -- and showcases craftspeople from that area, demonstrating techniques, explaining why it's important, explaining the history of the skill and how to get involved if you want to. Perhaps have the experts themselves presenting much of each episode, with the main presenter taking a minimal narration/introduction role. Granted much of this information is available from the internet or specialised books and classes, but it would help to get them into a more mainstream audience, in palatable chunks. It might spark a new hobby/interest with a few people, and will certainly educate people on traditional skills.
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