Questions for the Bushmoot

[tim_n]

I'm thinking of coming, but I've got a few questions!

1.) Is there plenty of room to hang and hang with hangers? Is there a hanger who might adopt me at the moot because I'm inexperienced and erm, well be on my own. (I'm still clearing this with the wife, she's unlikely to come)

2.) How many people usually come to this? ie will I need earplugs or plenty of beer to sleep?

3.) I can probably only get up there Saturday morningish and will have to leave around Tuesday. Is this likely to be an issue?

4.) What sort of spending money am I likely to need on site? I'm going to be bringing a small gas stove (pocket rocket) & a titan kettle, so it'll mostly be boil in the bag stuff or in bottles (lol - liquid bread)

5.) I'll also be coming via car, so does anyone need a lift from Essex based on the days I'm going?

 

[Wayland]

1. There's plenty of room for hammocks and you can find a group to hang with or be out on your own if you want.

2. If you are anywhere near the Naughty Corner, either option works but I would go with the beer.

3. The biggest problem will be tearing yourself away from stuff that is going on, the only logistical problem will be carrying your gear from your camp to your vehicle because, if I recall correctly, they don't like cars driving around the site while people are about.

4. A bit of money is a good idea to offer for materials etc. if you are on the workshops, there is a bring and buy stall so that depends if something catches your eye.

5. Not me, but you never know. (I think there is a lifts thread somewhere.)

 

[Tony]

As Wayland says, for sleeping, you just go the opposite direction to the naughty corner and you should be fine, the woodland goes back a long way.

 

[Ogri the trog]

Well how about that, your second answer from the boss himself.
Everyone feels the same way for their first Moot but, trust me, you'll have a great time and spend the next 12 months trying to convince your good lady to come along next year!

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[tim_n]

nah, she might want to come - she wants a hammock, so I might be hanging with her next year, but otherwise I'd get a bit of peace and quiet and she gets the house to herself (which she does like...)

 

[tim_n]

Well just awaiting the reply from the boss (my boss, not Tony) as to whether I can take a couple of days off.

Is security OK? Walking from the car isn't a problem because I intend to do this very light...

 

[Wayland]

There are very few problems at the moots or meets from members but it's always wise to remember that the public can and do get on site so sensible precautions are advised.

If it's just the lack of a hammock that's stopping her I have a spare you could use.

 

[kieran-]

Well im a bushcraft noob too, so you at least you don't have to worry about being the only one. Maybe if we get enough people together we can start our own section, the newbie corner - where there are guylines all over the place, tarps flapping in the wind, people sick from eating wild berries and a chronic shortage of plasters.

Im getting the train down from the east midlands (all on my own, billynomates). Im sure it'll be fine.

 

[tim_n]

There are very few problems at the moots or meets from members but it's always wise to remember that the public can and do get on site so sensible precautions are advised.

If it's just the lack of a hammock that's stopping her I have a spare you could use.

By 'sensible precautions' I assume we're talking just not leaving large expensive cameras hanging on branches by your tent? Not 'you better lock your hammock to the tree because some little *** will come along and pinch it. Being a hanger, unless you're with ground dwellers you're probably a bit more isolated because you need two good trees and I'm guessing there's not hundreds of ideal sites around where everyone else is...

No, the wife wouldn't come because her shift patterns wouldn't necessarily allow it, plus she's into crafty type stuff, but not all the sorts of bushcrafty stuff I'm into... I've plenty of tents for her! She's probably going to make herself a hammock - alternatively she might make me a blackbird design one and she can have mine

 

[tim_n]

Well im a bushcraft noob too, so you at least you don't have to worry about being the only one. Maybe if we get enough people together we can start our own section, the newbie corner - where there are guylines all over the place, tarps flapping in the wind, people sick from eating wild berries and a chronic shortage of plasters.

Im getting the train down from the east midlands (all on my own, billynomates). Im sure it'll be fine.

Actually... http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-plasters-in-the-woods/ thats one thing I can help with...

but I concur on the other points... including the billynomates

 

[Wayland]

By 'sensible precautions' I assume we're talking just not leaving large expensive cameras hanging on branches by your tent? Not 'you better lock your hammock to the tree because some little *** will come along and pinch it. Being a hanger, unless you're with ground dwellers you're probably a bit more isolated because you need two good trees and I'm guessing there's not hundreds of ideal sites around where everyone else is...<Snip

That's about it for the precautions but I might include £300 bushcraft knives and other tempting goodies with that. Out of sight is usually enough.

As far as sites are concerned, there are plenty of pitches for hammocks as I recall. The only problem I had was finding trees far enough apart for my 4.5m square mega tarp.

The idea of having a newbie camp is not a bad one, although I'd say you will soon make friends down there anyway.

I think my main worry approaching the first meet I went to was that I might be a bit of an outsider. Nothing could have been further from the truth. All I had to do was fall head first from a canoe into the water and I got to know everybody really fast.

Of course an easier way is just to introduce yourself and have a chat. People are really friendly because we already know we have something in common.

Come and say hello at some point, most people will be able to point you in my direction.

I will be camping somewhere near the Naughty Corner, but I'm half deaf so I don't need ear plugs. Having a group around you does help you to relax, because you know there are other eyes that can look out for you. Not just for security but in case of accidents as well. (Again we have been lucky to have few of those as well.)

 

[Ogri the trog]

I can't recall any cases of kit being stolen at a Moot, certainly not in the past 4 that I've attended. Though keeping valuables out of sight if they are not in use makes good sense - putting then in your car for example if you are in a hammock - or asking the guys camped next to you to use their car.
It is hard to convey the feeling of friendliness to someone who has not been before, but its the way the whole thing runs - we often find that folk who come along to attend lots of workshops but find their time taken up with so much socialising that they miss the workshop sessions.
It is likely that there will be a "morning meeting" each day to announce the activities of the day and as a central point to mention any problems or opportunities as they arise.
Don't be shy, its just like this forum with faces; ask what you want to know and be prepared to dive-in to help those who ask for assistance.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[Tony]

There's bound to be a bit of trepidation and you'll have it until you come to the Moot and fit right in. It's laid back and easy going and as long as people come with that in mind it's usually a great experience. We have a meeting each morning that everyone attends so we can run over any important stuff, see if there's anything specific that someone wants to do etc and then the day just flows along.

The whole point of being there is for people to be able to share knowledge, skills etc so everyone should be open to chatting and making friends.

When it comes to securing your items, it's a case of being sensible, keep your stuff neat and tidy, valuables with you or locked away, names on things where practical etc. This is the 9th or 10th Moot we've done and we've and i think it's just been a mug and bottle that have walked. We've had plenty of people asking at the morning meets if anyone has found a camera, keys, etc and they've turned up later in the day after being picked up, i think we have good people at the Moot.

He he, at reception well, have a sign pointing to Wayland saying "this way for a friendly greeting"

 

[tim_n]

Not just for security but in case of accidents as well. (Again we have been lucky to have few of those as well.)

I used to be an AA2 Ambulance Driver for SJA doing an NHS contract out of London (responding to emergency calls, mostly granny ferrying, but had a few serious jobs aka people being a bit white n' pasty, not breathing or having a heart beat. Got a 50% success rate with those & any paramedic will tell you that's a pretty good return rate!)

Saying that, I do like a drink but I'll be happy to use my xray eyes on broken limbs etc. I'm still insured for most First Aid stuff.

 

[Wayland]

I know something that everyone forgets to tell the new guys.

Bring a chair.

In the evening there is a lot of sitting around camp fires to be done. Most new guys turn up with just the stuff they would take on a hike but this is a fixed camp.

A few luxuries like a chair for the evening go a long way.

 

[John Fenna]

I used to be an AA2 Ambulance Driver for SJA doing an NHS contract out of London (responding to emergency calls, mostly granny ferrying, but had a few serious jobs aka people being a bit white n' pasty, not breathing or having a heart beat. Got a 50% success rate with those & any paramedic will tell you that's a pretty good return rate!)

Saying that, I do like a drink but I'll be happy to use my xray eyes on broken limbs etc. I'm still insured for most First Aid stuff.

I have a 50% success rate as well!..... though out of the 2 one had been there for about 1/2 an hour (waste of time trying!) and the other lasted about a week before giving up the ghost....
Still, I have REC 2 and am willing to lend a hand at any incedent short of "emergency childbirth" .... not a big fan of screaming babies....

 

[tim_n]

I have a 50% success rate as well!..... though out of the 2 one had been there for about 1/2 an hour (waste of time trying!) and the other lasted about a week before giving up the ghost....
Still, I have REC 2 and am willing to lend a hand at any incedent short of "emergency childbirth" .... not a big fan of screaming babies....

I had an addict who deathrattled in front of me. Worked on him with the rest of the crew until the paramedics arrived who just declared him dead 'and probably had been for some time'. I kept schtum but I feel bad about it now as I was leaving it the more experienced members of the crew - I was out as third crew (first day, good induction really) but I still believe to this day Narcan would have had a fair chance of bringing him back.

 

[Mojoracinguk]

All,

Seeing as this seems to be the ‘Noob Moot’ thread I’d like to ask a bit about it.

Now I would love to have attended (brought first hammock/tarp) but I can’t plan these things at the moment as My 7 week old nipper like to play games Not just with sleep but also our sanity during the waking hours (I would feel too guilty to run out on SWMBO for a day)

This being the case I was reluctant to book even a day pass but do feel like there would be real benefit in meeting those folk who help out with advice etc. on this forum.

So Is there any facility to turn up and pay if the sleep fairies have visited the little one and SWMBO is calm and serene?

I can understand if it is a logistical nightmare etc…so may just have to wait until next year.

Also how many are you expecting to these moots (if you don’t mind me asking)

All the best to you lucky folk who are going,

Jim