Skill share/meetup, Wooplaw woods, Scottish Borders, Fri.23rd-Sun.25th Oct.

[stuart f]

Hi folks, just a little notification that i am organizing another meetup for October, so if your interested, you are more than welcome to come along.

Below is some info that you may want to read, to avoid having to ask loads of questions.

Date:23rd-25th of Oct.

The site for the meet up will be Wooplaw community woodland, in the Scottish Borders. here's a link to the web site. http://www.wooplaw.org.uk/

The site has no running water, so please bring you own for the duration, plus food. The nearest shops are in Galashiels, which is only a 10 minute drive from the site.

The site has a car park.

The site has composting toilets.

Children are more than welcome, but could we ask that any under the age of 16 be accompanied by an adult, as there will be people using and showing sharp objects around camp. I or Wooplaw accept no responsibility for any accidents that occur during the meet up. The nearest hospital is the Borders General Hospital, which is about 20mins from the site. Link http://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/contact-us/

Could you please bring some logs along to help out the communal fire, as we don't want to denude Wooplaw of wood, for our fire.

Dogs are welcome, but please be aware the that site is open to the public, and many dog walkers use the area, so it would be appreciated if they are kept under control, and their ablutions picked up after them.

I have a parachute canopy which will be used as the communal shelter over the fire, its also a good idea to bring a camping chair for at nights.

Regarding fires, could we ask that people don't light fires outwith the main fire areas.

For the cooking of food, you can cook over the communal fire if you wish, as i will have a large suspension rig sorted, to take multiple pots, there are also 2 BBQ stations under cover that can also be used, or alternatively you could just bring along a stove and cook on that.

There is plenty of space for hammock and tents dotted around the place, so just pick a spot, and enjoy the woods.

We also usually have a couple of small light dry cooking sherries around the fire at night, so please be aware that adult chat is most likely to be heard later on, and we wouldn't want to upset any minors by some colourful talk.

If folks want to bring along kit to barter, then please feel free to do so, but i accept no responsibility for deals being made, its really about common sense.

Could i ask a donation of £5 per person for the weekend to go to Wooplaw, to help with the up keep of this wonderful resource.

And if you wish to do a little demoing then please let me know, as i will have a white board to put times for the different activities on the day. Please don't be shy, anything would be great, you don't have to be an expert, just enthusiastic, but if you still feel that's a bit to much and you just want to learn something then that is fine also, as things usually spontaneously happen anyway. We have had these meet ups many times and as folk will attest they are very laid back affairs, so allay you fears and come along and have a great weekend with like minded people.

I can't think of anything else at the moment, but if there is and your not sure then please just ask away.

Thank you.
Stuart.

 

[Chiseller]

oh hell yeah....me an sue love a good light sherry if youll have us again ill see if i can get the friday and monday off tomorrow.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Goatboy]

Last one was fantastic if any new folk aren't sure about comming along. I don't usually like crowds that much but it was so well run and the folks so friendly that it's well worth a visit. The swap meet was great and the workshops, especially Stuarts talk and demo were cracking.
It's a big enough area that you can camp close to the action or space yourself out a bit if you like your solitude.
Also nice to put faces and voices to the posters on here when you go to these meets.
(Have you booked the drummers again Stuart? ).


Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[coln18]

Looking forward to this one....I wonder what Wooplaw is like without the drums lol

 

[Goatboy]

Looking forward to this one...minus the drummers ������

I don't think they'll be back after summoning a half naked Chiseller last time.
Actually thought the drums added to the setting. Was putting me in mind of what early hunter/gatherer/farmers festivals and get-togethers may have been like. Trade, fun, food, fire and music. In some ways not a lot has changed in the last couple of thousand years, except the beards are maybe kept a bit neater.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[rorymax]

Will ask 2/3 friends if they can make this, if so then we would like to go along, sounds good.

 

[stuart f]

Nice one folks, the more the merrier. Chiseller it would be good if you can make it, our past meets have not been the same without hearing your screech that wafted through the woods on a light zephyr. :yelrotflm

 

[beezer]

i might have to make this my first camp out. does anyone know how cold it will be in the night? oh no i sound like the southern softy that i am hahaha.

 

[Goatboy]

i might have to make this my first camp out. does anyone know how cold it will be in the night? oh no i sound like the southern softy that i am hahaha.

Not wanting to sound like a typical dour Scot but Scotland in October could be a foot under water, snow in the glens or baking sunshine.
Seriously though a three season sleeping bag should see you right. Also there's usually at least one good fire going all night should you not make it to bed.
There could be a couple of ground frosts at that time of year though the tree cover should help with that and generally the temp should be about +1/+2° at night. Also there will likely be a kettle on the go all night if I know the folk there for hot water bottles and cups of tea.
Really was a cracking time I had there and as I said before I usually don't like big groups but the warmth there was great.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[rorymax]

If it works out and I get to go along, I will be playing safe and allow for below 0 degrees, I'm taking the car so no problem carrying extra bedding.

I will also chuck in a hot water bottle or two and thick mat, oh, and 3 man tent with small living area all for just me, I may leave the inner tent behind and bring a cot (no midges in October) the luxuries of car camping . (Note to self - bring beer).

rorymax

 

[rorymax]

""""""""""""

 

[rorymax]

Double post, oops.

 

[rorymax]

Not wanting to sound like a typical dour Scot but Scotland in October could be a foot under water, snow in the glens or baking sunshine.
Seriously though a three season sleeping bag should see you right. Also there's usually at least one good fire going all night should you not make it to bed.
There could be a couple of ground frosts at that time of year though the tree cover should help with that and generally the temp should be about +1/+2° at night. Also there will likely be a kettle on the go all night if I know the folk there for hot water bottles and cups of tea.
Really was a cracking time I had there and as I said before I usually don't like big groups but the warmth there was great.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

Hi Goatboy,

Very helpful info there, I like the idea of a ready supply of hot water and a through the night.

Anyone have any other snippets of info ?

Thanks,
rorymax

 

[beezer]

thanks guys sound like i can leave the fridge at home my beers not going to get warm. think i might get a wool blanket to go over my sleeping bag.

 

[rorymax]

Cell phone reception in Wooplaw Woods.

Good,bad or what pls?

rorymax

 

[stuart f]

Cell phone reception in Wooplaw Woods.

Good,bad or what pls?

rorymax

Hi Rorymax, the phone reception at Wooplaw is ok, i am on 3 and get a reception, can't speak for others though.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[Goatboy]

Cell phone reception in Wooplaw Woods.

Good,bad or what pls?

rorymax

I'm with Tesco but didn't even look at or turn my phone on I'm afraid. To busy relaxing and having fun.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[rorymax]

How far is the car park from the communal shelter or the general area for pitching tents ?

Can a car\trailer be brought close to the pitch site (temporarily) for unloading\loading ?

rorymax

 

[Goatboy]

How far is the car park from the communal shelter or the general area for pitching tents ?

Can a car\trailer be brought close to the pitch site (temporarily) for unloading\loading ?

rorymax

Morning Rory,

There are a couple of places to park. The main carpark is a little trot to the main meet area though there is roadside parking within a couple of hundred yards of the place where the communal fire was last time.

There's a map on their page HERE.

I wasn't too well last time and still managed to wander to it with gear and I'm sure folk will help you out if you are struggling with something heavy.

 

[rorymax]

Thank you Goatboy, every bit of info helps.

Cheers.
rorymax