Ray Mears Goes Walkabout - Your Views

[Martyn]

You have to remember that bushcraft is something of a fashion at the moment. Of course there will always be the hardcore, but there are not enough of those to put food on the table and they probably wont buy RM kit anyway. I would think he remembers only too well the days before he was famous. You have to make hay while the sun shines. If the bushcraft bubble bursts, or his latest TV show gets lousy ratings (which it may do judging from how dull last nights episode was), the beeb will drop him and that'll be it for Ray. He'll be relegated to making cameo appearances for a few hundred quid. If he's clever, he will of squirreled enough away to keep the wolves from his door, but who knows? One thing is sure, there is absolutely no guarantee that his current success will continue bringing in the bacon for the next 25 years. What if he gets sick? There will be royalties from his books, but if he drops out of the public eye, his book sales will fall off too and it is a very niche market to start with - Harry Potter it isn't. He may be a millionaire today (or maybe not?), but if the fashion dies, his million quid divided up over the rest of his life wont amount to much more than a basic wage.

The dole queues are littered with has-been TV personalities from yesteryear.

 

[Jedadiah]

Sorry, but i've been watching this thread and seen it going off topic for a while. Rather than critisize Woodlore or Ray for, what apears to be good buisness accumen, can we actually discuss the series 'Ray Mears goes Walkabout'. A series about Rays experiences in Australia examining exploration of the continent and lifestyles of it's indiginous people.

I can't remember anyone saying it was going to be a Bushcraft series. It's like watching Jeremy Clarkson on 'Who do you think you are' or 'The Victoria Cross' and saying that they were cr*p because there were no cars involved!

Come on peeps, i know it's a forum, but the issues some have with Woodlore have been the subject of many threads in the past and it always come down to the same conclusion, if you want to buy, then buy. If it's too expensive for you, dont. Simple as that.

Some people do not seem to bear in mind that it cost money to go all over the world to study bushcraft skills 'for free', as others have said, you've got to make hay while the sun shines and finally, the guy is a single parent for crying out loud. Doesn't everyone want to provide for their family and employee's as well as (possible) share holders?

Sorry, fallen into the same trap dammit! Lets get back on topic eh!

 

[backwoodsman]

This is what forums are all about, glad it wasnt just me thinking what l did.

 

[madelinew]

After watching the episode with the Bush Tucker guy, I'm delighted to note there was not a witchity grub in sight.........

 

[decorum]

he is in his mid 40's now hence the middle aged spread. We've affectionately called him 'chubby' for years but I have noticed recently that he appears to be losing his fitness following his graham norton appearance and watching him on the show last night he was knackered after using his bow drill.

In addition to crazydave's comment of middle age spread - I'm fairly sure that, like too many others, he's suffered from malaria a couple of times. This would seem to mean that he'd have one of the strains that persist in the liver and, on occasion, recur. Last nights episode, in various scenes, showed someone who looked decidedly unwell - the sweating, lack of normal enthusiasm etc. If you don't believe me watch it again and lookout for the look on his face when he samples the fish cooked in the termite mound oven or the pallor of his face after the exertion of climbing a shallow slope or the undue sweating on physical exertion.

So far I think that the series has been more hit than miss. It's been good seeing the admittance of errors, the tongue in cheek humour and the peripheral people who wouldn't normally be included if he was more interested in the land than the land and those who live(d) there.

 

[dommyracer]

Just wondering why exactly did Ray interview the diver? Yeah it was interesting but didn't really have much to do with Bushcraft..

Possibly not, but it had a hell of a lot to do with the culture of the Torres Strait Islands, which was what the show was about.

I don't understand what's so hard to fathom - this is NOT a series solely about 'Bushcraft'

His programs never have been - they've always talked about the people, the places and the history just as much as the skills and techniques...

 

[firecrest]

Well Ive never liked the idea of items and courses coming overpriced, it takes the market to increasing prosperous socio-economic strata and away from those who would benefit the most from enjoyment of the outdoors - the very poorest who live in our cities.
That said , Its not fair to blame Ray for this. He used to work for operation Riley and His Tv shows are available to anyone with a tv. Ive found nearly all the bushcraft courses are very pricey,not just woodlores. And if you think woodlore clothes are expensive, well, Rays clothing range is no more pricey than Blacks. I mean have you been in there lately? Outdoor specialists my a*se! Outdoor Fasion specialists more like. 90% of the shop is different clothing styles at incredibly high prices. The other places arent much better, and none stock anything more than basic camping gear, being overly concerned with clothing.

But people we don't need to grumble! WE are the bushcraft community and WE have the bushmoot and bushmeets. We can share our knowledge with each other for free, and without this incredible forum I would never have had access to learning about living outdoors and getting outside for such a low low price

 

[Martyn]

Sorry, but i've been watching this thread and seen it going off topic for a while. Rather than critisize Woodlore or Ray for, what apears to be good buisness accumen, can we actually discuss the series 'Ray Mears goes Walkabout'. A series about Rays experiences in Australia examining exploration of the continent and lifestyles of it's indiginous people.

I can't remember anyone saying it was going to be a Bushcraft series. It's like watching Jeremy Clarkson on 'Who do you think you are' or 'The Victoria Cross' and saying that they were cr*p because there were no cars involved!

I think that's the problem. People watch Ray's shows because he illustrates some interesting stuff, cool tricks, neat skills and he's demonstrates and explains them well. But when it comes to anthropological studies, he's as dull as dishwater. If I want to see someone examine exploration of the continent and lifestyles of it's indigenous people, I'll watch David Attenborough, who is a far, far more engaging and enigmatic presenter. I watch Ray for all the cool bushcraft tricks he (usually) does. Take the cool bushcraft tricks out of the equation and there is not much left to keep my interest to be honest (though the nude blonde girl was a pleasant distraction. ).

He should stick to what's made him famous and what he does best.

Les Hiddens last week was interesting, but I suspect that was more to do with the colourful man with the big red nose and the funny hat, than Ray. Last nights show was really flat.

 

[Jedadiah]

This is what forums are all about, glad it wasnt just me thinking what l did.

Yeah, i see what your saying about forums, but thats why wehave different threads. This thread is about Ray Mears goes Walkabout. If you want to start a thread with the title 'Woodlore: giving the consumer value for money or overpriced rip off merchants; Discuss' then that is where these comments should be.

I'm not trying to P*ss on anyones chips, but i'd like to read peoples opinions on the TV program, not have to trawl through guff about prices and commercialism that has been done to death already.

 

[fishy1]

And what's wrong with that?, RM is a businessman as well as a bushcrafter, 99.9% of businesses will promote themselves whenever and where ever they can to increases revenues and what better medium that TV to do it, plus he doesn't have to pay massive amounts of money for airtime to place adverts, the BBC are paying him, wish i could get a deal like that for my business

Oh yes, I would have no problem if he was paying for adverts or whatever, but the fact is he's on BBC. I know every business would love to have an oppertunity to promote thier goods all the time, as he does, but they are not getting that oppertunity so in my opinion he is getting a large advantage over every other retailer.

I mean if for example tesco made a program where they just showed how good thier products were, they would hardly get it on bbc would they?

Oh, and for those who say this show is not about bushcraft, then why is it in bushcraft chatter? If you think the show is not about bushcraft, why don't you ask for it to be moved?

 

[Jedadiah]

Oh, and for those who say this show is not about bushcraft, then why is it in bushcraft chatter? If you think the show is not about bushcraft, why don't you ask for it to be moved?

I think no one has asked for it to be moved as it could be seen as bushcraft related. Anyway, even though it's not strictly about bushcraft, because Ray Mears is seen as the public face of bushcraft, i think it may be seen as pedantic to insist on it being moved.

A number of people may have assumed it to be about bushcraft before it started and thats why it ended up here.

 

[dommyracer]

Oh, and for those who say this show is not about bushcraft, then why is it in bushcraft chatter? If you think the show is not about bushcraft, why don't you ask for it to be moved?

Oh, get over yourself

 

[scanker]

I don't really see how this thread got onto Woodlore commercialism. It's not like RM turns to camera and says, "all kit featured in the programmes is available on my website, folks". In fact a quick look reveals they don't sell any of the recently featured kit - swag or fallkniven or buck knives.

I have bought something from RM shop. I have a little lens cleaning thingummyjig attached to my camera - I can't remember the brand name. A google search revealed the RM site was the cheapest place to buy one from at the time. TBH I'd rather not have a RM branded lens cleaning thingy because it make me look like a right wannabee, but it was cheapest.

Meanwhile back to the TV prog. I got about as far as 8.30. I admit I was knackered, but it wasn't holding my attention and I went to bed.

 

[Twoflower]

"Walkabout is an Australian term referring to the commonly-held belief that Australian Aborigines would "go walkabout" at the age of thirteen in the wilderness for six months as a rite of passage. In this practice they would trace the paths (the so-called songlines) that their people's ceremonial ancestors took and imitate, in a fashion, their heroic deeds."

I've really enjoyed this series so far and think that the people Ray has interviewed have shown what life is like down under for all that live there.

I've quoted wikipedia for one reason and one reason only ... People seem to be getting confused about what this series from Ray Mears is about. I'm pretty sure he mentioned in the first Episode that he was going to go walkabout in the wilderness and (from the above quote) "trace the paths *snip* and imitate, in a fashion, their heroic deeds". This I think he has done splendidly and just because walkabout is an aboriginal term it doesn't mean the series has to be about the indiginous people, after all Ray Mears isn't.

 

[firecrest]

Jedadia - You cant criticise people for going off topic when in the same post you proceed to give your own two cents worth on the issue!

 

[backwoodsman]

yeah.Mr moderator J.

 

[backwoodsman]

end of that matter me thinks!!!!!
So bringing thread back on topic.
The blonde woman, ,.....nice.

 

[Jedadiah]

Jedadia - You cant criticise people for going off topic when in the same post you proceed to give your own two cents worth on the issue!

Sorry, my off topic meandering was meant to be tounge in cheek. Far be it from me to critisize anyone, all i wanted to do was highlight what i thought was a viable issue. Having said that, i have no wish to come over all high and mighty, just took it upon myself to attempt to bring it all back on topic. I'm sorry if it appeared otherwise.

yeah.Mr moderator J.

How old are you? You don't have to be a Mod to be able to see a thread going off topic.

end of that matter me thinks!!!!!
So bringing thread back on topic.
The blonde woman, ,.....nice.

You can't end the exchange without giving the object of your derision the opportunity to reply in an approriate and timley fashion, so NER, NER, NER NER, NER!

NOW it's the end of the matter.

 

[spamel]

Basically, last nights episode was pap!

 

[crazydave]

I think the series is not bad to watch and I'm not knocking the guy, lofty cashed in as much as he could at the time with his own series of books and knife endorsments plus a very scary dupont quolofil advert I remember. even a few tv spots but never a series which had been tried with eddie magee back in the late 70's but that was a kids show. Hugh mcmanners tried the same but it never took. maybe its a forces thing and rays lack of service makes him more presentable. he has been doing this for over 20 years now and it could be he needs a rest but is worried about becoming yesterdays news in this 24 hour tv society.

I cant work the series out though as it seems a big rehash of old ideas copying a bushtuckerman style for a UK audience. its not a bushcraft survival show and it could be ray wanted a different tack but the on the fly producers and studio editors maybe steered it away to safer ground. watching the two older series currently on Dave is showing the similarities.

last nights was a bit dim content wise but I think they were struggling for material to be honest and they dont seem to want to cover the same ground from older series.
I think the best so far was the one with hiddins as ray seemed to feed off him and his energies in the same way meeting a fellow hobbyist does when we are few and far between as the were outdoing each other. I'm guessing he doesn't want to get stuck in a rut and I reckon a fearnly whittingstall type of food for free show similar to a cook on the wild side might perk him up a bit as it would steer him away from survival type stories and allow him to climb into the caravan we all know he wants

I'm hoping he features the challenge the aussie sas laid to the aborigines for crossing arnhemland living off the land as they went. the sas won but were in a bad way, the locals decided they couldn't be bothered and went off hunting instead turning up with a bedraggled reporter two weeks later