Ray Mears

[Ryan Woods]

I e-mailed his company and they said he often uses the American Alice Bergen but that isn't the one I have in mind.
Ali

I've read many people's opinion of the ALICE pack and no one is enthousiastic about it. I wonder why Mears chooses to use one...

 

[innocent bystander]

THAT'S THE ONE!!! Thank you, thank you. You are officially my new hero
Ali

Cool.Me like being hero

 

[sargey]

i'm doing pretty well on this, i've managed to miss every single episode of the series apart from the one that my wife video'd, but she recorded the wrong channel so i missed that one as well!

IIRC the DVD is due out next month.

cheers and.

 

[Richie]

Bagheera good to see you here!

The fungi was described as growing on Birch bark and can be used for sharpening purposes. Isnt this known is dutch as elfenbankje/"the bench of elves"? I believe that it is slightly toxic (SAS Survival Guide) and if true not a good idea to use as plaster. Therefore can someone name the species please?

It's a bracket fungi called Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus), I've never heard of it being toxin per sa and have used it as a strope and astringent before with no problems.

 

[wortbag]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Think this series is already out on DVD

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...0503535-4186809

£19.99 Release Information:
Studio: Woodlore Ltd
DVD Release Date: April 4, 2005
Run Time: 330 minutes

Hope this helps for those that missed it!

 

[Earth Mother]

The first 5 episodes that were broadcast a while back are on that DVD. I'm not sure when the recent 5 will be released - I'm looking forward to it though.
Ali

 

[Simca]

I read somewhere that the second series DVD will be available to buy for Father's Day (that's somewhere mid June)

 

[Ryan Woods]

Thanks Richie

 

[Richie]

Thanks Richie

No probs

 

[Nod]

I got an e-mail from the Woodlore shop yesterday.....they are taking advance orders via their website for the DVD now, it's due out 8h June.

It has 60 minutes additional footage on it.......just for us
Quote "Ray has included: sharpening an axe at camp, looking after your
axe, choosing and using an axe, splitting wood with a saw, how to light a
fire, prepare safe water, using a birch bark canoe, making a container
from birch bark, making a matchbox from birch bark, making a container
from cedar, making a container from ash bark and also contains
information on the snakes found on the lowland heaths of the UK."

How come he never says on the telly........"....and here I am at Thingy Majig Woods, where they let you stay over....with a fire...." Well, I know really why he doesn't, but it would be nice to have the inside knowledge on these lovely places he goes to in the UK. I noticed at the end credits it gave a thank you to the FC so maybe they gave him a special pass

 

[oddjob]

I noticed at the end credits it gave a thank you to the FC so maybe they gave him a special pass

That's what I reckon, especially having chatted to my old man about the last episode, he's convinced that Ray was in the New Forest for the first bit.

 

[Povarian]

That's what I reckon, especially having chatted to my old man about the last episode, he's convinced that Ray was in the New Forest for the first bit.

Looked a lot like Burnham Beeches (just north-west of Slough) to me.

 

[Spacemonkey]

Yes, that badger set looks exactly like a spot i know in the New Forest. That was my first thought when I saw it. The whole south forest bit really does resemble the New Forest and that would explain the car noises in the background. Next time I'm there I'll check the badger set for Mears' sign!!!!

 

[grahoom]

AAARRRGGGHHH!!! we are having some wiered atmospherics at the moment which means I have virtually no BBC 2 reception, I don't suppose anyone recorded Ray Mears tonight did they?


Please

dunno if you got the episode or not - but i downloaded it from uknova. its big file, but if you are interested then let me know.

 

[Motorbike Man]

dunno if you got the episode or not - but i downloaded it from uknova. its big file, but if you are interested then let me know.

Thanks for the offer Grahoom, all sorted now

 

[bambodoggy]

It's a bracket fungi called Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus), I've never heard of it being toxin per sa and have used it as a strope and astringent before with no problems.

Bingo...that's exactly what it is and as you say it's used as a strop. you can also use it as a makeshift plaster if you cut yourself but it is poisonous so don't go munching on it

Cheers,

Bam.