Weekends in our beautiful Northwood don't come much more diverse than this one- it was a priviledge to be invited along to share with Gordons' families and freinds for their 100 year anniversary of custodianship of this beautiful area with its diverse and historical woodland
Martin shone up Barbaras' plaque to a respectful gleam....
And the day began with a fascinating insight into Lucky Lees' tools and techniques with a start-to-finish sheath.
Lee explained his working method from start to finish with clarity and thoroughness, taking questions and checking our understanding, letting us try his tools and correcting our technique which was an amazing opportunity to learn from such an expert!
Next up was a brilliant demo from Karl, covering all the diverse aspects and methods of natural firemaking...
Farm visitors who braved the mud and mozzies started trickling down in an increasing flow until we had about 30 interested folk gathered round him then drifting through, chatting to folk about the bushcraft ethos Some came with kids- even a pram and a barefooted lass passed through!
Steve spent lots of time with folk, explaining his carving and the bushcraft community. A lot of the locals are devastated about the high speed link which has been passed to come through this beautiful area of woodland :S
Young and old alike were enchanted by his amazing collection of woodspirit carvings
The mozzies had an absolute feeding frenzy on some of us!
John developed a great wooden hobo which boiled up his brew really well and helped move the visitors through our 'patch'...
Later on, we sojourned up to the farm buildings where there was a fabulous display of vehicles...
Including a fine old steamy!
There was a fine turnout of American muscle...
And some British classics... well, I'm biased, o'course
Including some great old tractors... I'm afraid I didn't get pics of the new ones, I'm always obsessed by old 'uns
The American bikes were something else...
But nothing could prepare us for the stylized beauty of the built hogs
Ohhh, I'm sorry, bike obsessed.... love this old lady
But the bikers barn held the gem of contemporary modded deconstruction for me
But the only hog I got my hands on was part shares in this.... bushcrafters were notable for being at the front of the queue thanks to an eagle eyed Steve
It was lovely walking back, replete and happy, stopping for a swing in the woods under the beautiful yew in the centre of the woods
My sunday strip-down pictures bely the hard graft it actually was... I was in my element driving kit about on the woodland tracks
It was a pearl of a morning, Barbara looked after us by only letting it rain after we finished the last kit run
This is a Smoke Angel Over the Somme
We had a beautiful few days in the woodlands, some lucky blighters got to feed the mozzies for 10 whole days, MUCH thanks to Steve for fascillitating it with Gorden and nuff respect to everyone in the community who came along and made it the wonderful celebration it was!
Martin shone up Barbaras' plaque to a respectful gleam....
And the day began with a fascinating insight into Lucky Lees' tools and techniques with a start-to-finish sheath.
Lee explained his working method from start to finish with clarity and thoroughness, taking questions and checking our understanding, letting us try his tools and correcting our technique which was an amazing opportunity to learn from such an expert!
Next up was a brilliant demo from Karl, covering all the diverse aspects and methods of natural firemaking...
Farm visitors who braved the mud and mozzies started trickling down in an increasing flow until we had about 30 interested folk gathered round him then drifting through, chatting to folk about the bushcraft ethos Some came with kids- even a pram and a barefooted lass passed through!
Steve spent lots of time with folk, explaining his carving and the bushcraft community. A lot of the locals are devastated about the high speed link which has been passed to come through this beautiful area of woodland :S
Young and old alike were enchanted by his amazing collection of woodspirit carvings
The mozzies had an absolute feeding frenzy on some of us!
John developed a great wooden hobo which boiled up his brew really well and helped move the visitors through our 'patch'...
Later on, we sojourned up to the farm buildings where there was a fabulous display of vehicles...
Including a fine old steamy!
There was a fine turnout of American muscle...
And some British classics... well, I'm biased, o'course
Including some great old tractors... I'm afraid I didn't get pics of the new ones, I'm always obsessed by old 'uns
The American bikes were something else...
But nothing could prepare us for the stylized beauty of the built hogs
Ohhh, I'm sorry, bike obsessed.... love this old lady
But the bikers barn held the gem of contemporary modded deconstruction for me
But the only hog I got my hands on was part shares in this.... bushcrafters were notable for being at the front of the queue thanks to an eagle eyed Steve
It was lovely walking back, replete and happy, stopping for a swing in the woods under the beautiful yew in the centre of the woods
My sunday strip-down pictures bely the hard graft it actually was... I was in my element driving kit about on the woodland tracks
It was a pearl of a morning, Barbara looked after us by only letting it rain after we finished the last kit run
This is a Smoke Angel Over the Somme
We had a beautiful few days in the woodlands, some lucky blighters got to feed the mozzies for 10 whole days, MUCH thanks to Steve for fascillitating it with Gorden and nuff respect to everyone in the community who came along and made it the wonderful celebration it was!