As I am not about this weekend, I been thinking of doing a wild one,maybe thursday, friday, saturday, nights next week, is anyone about? I am thinking a light weight, one with a walk involved....get some compas and map practice in as well
Suffolk Bushcraft Group
- Thread starter Big Stu 12
- Start date
Great night out with Callum my eldest son, bought a Highlander nomad hammock and tarp setup from amazon £40 very impressed, has mozzie net and 1 side zip, tarp is a diamond with 4 tabs.
Taiught callum setting up, fire starting, how to save water by boiling in zip lock bags and using the water for a brew.
Stu I will have a bishop bag for my tarp and a coffee percolator when I see you next.
FioFO
Sounds like fun, I'm up for friday and Saturday, I will see if i can get a wood near Easton
FioFO
Looks good Paul, did Callum sleep well this time, that set up looks good for the cost, and the tarp is good for summer, I love the look of the woods this time of year, I been down the workshop this morning, doing a few things and made some more tripods.
Will Callum be comming out more now?
Easton will be good, l'll be getting the machine out this week, got a few things to make so, the Bishops on the list for you and the Perculator is on the shopping list.
Will Callum be comming out more now?
Easton will be good, l'll be getting the machine out this week, got a few things to make so, the Bishops on the list for you and the Perculator is on the shopping list.
Had a great day, night and morning with Fruit Loop out in Santon Downham (Brandon/Thetford area).
We launched into the river and headed up-stream (East). Interestingly, the police were out on the river searching for a suspected dead body. They gave us a good laugh, though, because they had this whopping great outboard motor on their inflatable, and insisted on using it even though the river was awash all over with very, very long reed grass! In fact, their progress was so bad that we'd travelled more than another few miles in the time it took them to get a quarter mile!
We went a little far on the river and found ourselves near the A11, so we turned around and went back to a viable spot we'd noticed on the way up the river.
Pulled the boat out of the water and carted it about 30 meters away from the river (through a dyke, through a second dyke running parallel with the first, and into the treeline)
Got both our tarps and hammocks set up easily.
Prepared firewood from the copious amount of deadwood floating about (some of it conviently piled up by persons unknown) and got the fire going very easily.
Made coffee and food (Andy [Fruit Loop] tried a couple of the "Look What We Found" boil-in-the-bag meals, and is now a big fan of them).
Had a good natter when the police helicopter appeared overhead (searching the forest for the missing man having failed to find him in the river)
We turned in very late (the night was really nice, and with the moon out we could see pretty-much as clearly as we can in daylight) at around 2:30AM.
At some point after that (right as I was just drifting off to sleep) we heard someone walk right behind my tarp and passed our camp. I asked Andy if it was him (it wasn't) and the footsteps stopped. About 10 seconds after we'd stopped talking, the footsteps resumed. When the morning came (we got up at 5:30) we could clearly see signs of a person passing behind our camp. Fortunately they didn't interfere with us or our gear in any way, so no harm no foul, right?
Anyway, took a lot of time over packing down... I showed Andy a great way of packing the tarp with the ridgeline attached making it more compact, and also much quicker to deploy the next time you want to use it.
We cleared the site so that there was absolutely no evidence of our having been there (scattered the extinguished coals from our fire, which I'd pre-emptively broken up as we were letting the fire die before turning in earlier) There were two partially-burned logs which we took with us as part of our trash... so the site is good as new now!
We got back on the river and headed back towards Santon Downham, spotting two beautiful otters, some cookoo birds, woodpeckers and a whole manner of other animal life en-route. Decided to continue on past Santon Downham, towards Brandon... which yielded a lot of even better potential future sites!
I'm very tired now, but I really, really enjoyed the trip
We launched into the river and headed up-stream (East). Interestingly, the police were out on the river searching for a suspected dead body. They gave us a good laugh, though, because they had this whopping great outboard motor on their inflatable, and insisted on using it even though the river was awash all over with very, very long reed grass! In fact, their progress was so bad that we'd travelled more than another few miles in the time it took them to get a quarter mile!
We went a little far on the river and found ourselves near the A11, so we turned around and went back to a viable spot we'd noticed on the way up the river.
Pulled the boat out of the water and carted it about 30 meters away from the river (through a dyke, through a second dyke running parallel with the first, and into the treeline)
Got both our tarps and hammocks set up easily.
Prepared firewood from the copious amount of deadwood floating about (some of it conviently piled up by persons unknown) and got the fire going very easily.
Made coffee and food (Andy [Fruit Loop] tried a couple of the "Look What We Found" boil-in-the-bag meals, and is now a big fan of them).
Had a good natter when the police helicopter appeared overhead (searching the forest for the missing man having failed to find him in the river)
We turned in very late (the night was really nice, and with the moon out we could see pretty-much as clearly as we can in daylight) at around 2:30AM.
At some point after that (right as I was just drifting off to sleep) we heard someone walk right behind my tarp and passed our camp. I asked Andy if it was him (it wasn't) and the footsteps stopped. About 10 seconds after we'd stopped talking, the footsteps resumed. When the morning came (we got up at 5:30) we could clearly see signs of a person passing behind our camp. Fortunately they didn't interfere with us or our gear in any way, so no harm no foul, right?
Anyway, took a lot of time over packing down... I showed Andy a great way of packing the tarp with the ridgeline attached making it more compact, and also much quicker to deploy the next time you want to use it.
We cleared the site so that there was absolutely no evidence of our having been there (scattered the extinguished coals from our fire, which I'd pre-emptively broken up as we were letting the fire die before turning in earlier) There were two partially-burned logs which we took with us as part of our trash... so the site is good as new now!
We got back on the river and headed back towards Santon Downham, spotting two beautiful otters, some cookoo birds, woodpeckers and a whole manner of other animal life en-route. Decided to continue on past Santon Downham, towards Brandon... which yielded a lot of even better potential future sites!
I'm very tired now, but I really, really enjoyed the trip
Simon that sounds like a great adventure, good on you. I went up to see Kev at March and his new wood which is great, a place for Stu to park his land and either a long or short walk in. Lots of deer sign as well as pits/traps that some poachers left. A completely wild wood. Pics to follow, I would suggest that's our next place to visit as it would be nice for Carl and Kev not to have to do a 200 mile trip.
FioFO
FioFO
After I posted my last message, I decided to go grab a couple of hours sleep... then found a tick burrowed deep into my left bicep. Guess I'm off to the doctor tomorrow to prevent lyme's disease
Totally worth it!
Next time I'm taking the GoPro with me and mounting it to the boat... because until you've been out there and seen the scenery, you just can't understand how perfect a place it is for a genuinely moving trip!
Totally worth it!
Next time I'm taking the GoPro with me and mounting it to the boat... because until you've been out there and seen the scenery, you just can't understand how perfect a place it is for a genuinely moving trip!
That sounds good mate.... Will have to make a visit, well, I am off to bed now, getting in at 5am this morn after no sleep......then a day at twickers beering it up watching the BaaBaas getting slaughtered has taken its toll...... But what nice feeling..... Well it was untill I fell asleep on the train home.......
Whittler Kev
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Whittler Kev
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
I got bored in front of the tv and broke a fire steal into this tiny piece. Works better than I thought it would, although when filling down I didn't think about all the dust on my clip board. One press too hard set light to the lot and it's not something you can just put out. Lesson learnt but I blame stu a little for encouraging me to use files in front of the tv.
...by the way... when you file a ferro rod, becarefull as it could catch light....Looks good, you'l be doing more things soon, what did you dear lady say, lol...
2 Night Monthly Suffolk Bushcraft Group Meeting 7th and 8th June 2013
All Welcome, Newbies, all levels of experience, Tree and Ground Dwellers.
Location
A 10 Acre mixed Woodland that is very quite and secluded, and lends itself to wild camping, both in Hammocks and Tents,. 14:00 hrs, normally finishing about midday on the Sunday. Please be on time as the Woodland is hard to find.
Cost
The Camp Site charge is £10 per person for the Weekend, fees for the site to be paid to me (Big Stu) as you arrive, this will have to be in cash.
Under 18s
Are welcome to attend, they are the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian that they came to the meet with.
Behaviour
Our meets, are good natured and light hearted, with safety in mind, we ai to carry this on with self regulation, if it does not then the offending person will be asked to leave immediately.
Facilities
This is a very wild site...The nearest Toilets, Shower are back at the Bayments Farm Yard, the nearest Tap is about a 600m from the Woodland.
Personal Hygiene - there is NO toilets in the woodland, apart from the ones at the Farm, please bring your Hygiene kits, There is a Group Latrine that is to be used in all case's, it is a requirement of the Landowner.
Housekeeping
There is no Facility to leave rubbish on site or at the farm, please bring a Rubbish Bag for your waste and take it home; we have had occasions were other peoples pitches have been cleaned up by others, You Carry In – You Carry Out.
Fire Places and Fire scar’s to be kept to a minimum, this will depend on activities, if you make a Fire Scar for any reason, other than communal one, then it is your responsibility to clean it up, The Main communal Fire is Everyone’s responsibility to clean up after.
Group Meal,
There is normally a Group Meal on Saturday would anyone attending like to offer to do it?
Does anyone want to take on the Group Meal on Saturday Night?
(The Group meals are supplied but the person making them, then the cost is divided between the participants, please remember Cash is required)
Other Info
We probation at this site, so please keep to the simple rules and treat it with respect.
The Car Parking for the woodland will be about 800m away from the woodland, we are allowed to drop off and pick up at the woodland, if the ground is too wet then, most of the gear will have to walked in, I can arrange for help for people that can not walk that far due to a health reason, I need to know this in advance.
I will be taking the normal, Griddle, and tripod, Coleman Lamp, also a couple of Tarps, for a group shelter,
Wood can be gathered from around the site, Dead Wood only to be used.
Of course Photo's and the Micky being taken is compulsory....
And Fluffy Hot water bottles/slippers are welcome.....
Also don't forget, people do bring swaps and items for sale, so a meet can be a great place to get some kit.. reason to bring a little bit of cash with you.
All Attendee's, attend and take part in any activities at their own risk....by attending you agree to this term.
First Aid
There are no First Aid facilities on site, so you will need to bring your own kit,
The nearest A & E is 20 minutes drive at;
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 2QZ,
Switchboard: 01284 713000
If you plan to attend, then Paste and Copy the Whole Post and place name on bottom of list, adding also if you require the Group Meals and how many nights you’re staying,
List of Attending
1. Big Stu - 2 Nights
2. Remeavi Thanatos - 2 nights
3. SJStuart - 2 nights
4. Zeon98 2 nights
5. mitch66 - 2 nights
6. ROMAN-SOLDIER 2 nights
7. Broomstickize - 1 night (poss. 2)
Following a couple of Phone converstions, PM's and thinking how long it was that I had done some Navigation by Map and Compass - Think last time I did some major navigation was back in 1991 on a two week experdition to Alps......, would it be a good idea, if we had a Brush up session on Map and Compass work
It also looks like a Natural Shelter Build would be a good idea as well in the Base Camp area somewere in the corner..lets make the most of what we have there
The next core dates for the monthly meets-depending on how things go I will try to get some more nights, I will hope to do a Four Nighter at some stage.
July 5th and 6th 2013
August 2nd and 3rd
September 6th and 7th 2013.
All Welcome, Newbies, all levels of experience, Tree and Ground Dwellers.
Location
A 10 Acre mixed Woodland that is very quite and secluded, and lends itself to wild camping, both in Hammocks and Tents,. 14:00 hrs, normally finishing about midday on the Sunday. Please be on time as the Woodland is hard to find.
Cost
The Camp Site charge is £10 per person for the Weekend, fees for the site to be paid to me (Big Stu) as you arrive, this will have to be in cash.
Under 18s
Are welcome to attend, they are the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian that they came to the meet with.
Behaviour
Our meets, are good natured and light hearted, with safety in mind, we ai to carry this on with self regulation, if it does not then the offending person will be asked to leave immediately.
Facilities
This is a very wild site...The nearest Toilets, Shower are back at the Bayments Farm Yard, the nearest Tap is about a 600m from the Woodland.
Personal Hygiene - there is NO toilets in the woodland, apart from the ones at the Farm, please bring your Hygiene kits, There is a Group Latrine that is to be used in all case's, it is a requirement of the Landowner.
Housekeeping
There is no Facility to leave rubbish on site or at the farm, please bring a Rubbish Bag for your waste and take it home; we have had occasions were other peoples pitches have been cleaned up by others, You Carry In – You Carry Out.
Fire Places and Fire scar’s to be kept to a minimum, this will depend on activities, if you make a Fire Scar for any reason, other than communal one, then it is your responsibility to clean it up, The Main communal Fire is Everyone’s responsibility to clean up after.
Group Meal,
There is normally a Group Meal on Saturday would anyone attending like to offer to do it?
Does anyone want to take on the Group Meal on Saturday Night?
(The Group meals are supplied but the person making them, then the cost is divided between the participants, please remember Cash is required)
Other Info
We probation at this site, so please keep to the simple rules and treat it with respect.
The Car Parking for the woodland will be about 800m away from the woodland, we are allowed to drop off and pick up at the woodland, if the ground is too wet then, most of the gear will have to walked in, I can arrange for help for people that can not walk that far due to a health reason, I need to know this in advance.
I will be taking the normal, Griddle, and tripod, Coleman Lamp, also a couple of Tarps, for a group shelter,
Wood can be gathered from around the site, Dead Wood only to be used.
Of course Photo's and the Micky being taken is compulsory....
And Fluffy Hot water bottles/slippers are welcome.....
Also don't forget, people do bring swaps and items for sale, so a meet can be a great place to get some kit.. reason to bring a little bit of cash with you.
All Attendee's, attend and take part in any activities at their own risk....by attending you agree to this term.
First Aid
There are no First Aid facilities on site, so you will need to bring your own kit,
The nearest A & E is 20 minutes drive at;
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 2QZ,
Switchboard: 01284 713000
If you plan to attend, then Paste and Copy the Whole Post and place name on bottom of list, adding also if you require the Group Meals and how many nights you’re staying,
List of Attending
1. Big Stu - 2 Nights
2. Remeavi Thanatos - 2 nights
3. SJStuart - 2 nights
4. Zeon98 2 nights
5. mitch66 - 2 nights
6. ROMAN-SOLDIER 2 nights
7. Broomstickize - 1 night (poss. 2)
Following a couple of Phone converstions, PM's and thinking how long it was that I had done some Navigation by Map and Compass - Think last time I did some major navigation was back in 1991 on a two week experdition to Alps......, would it be a good idea, if we had a Brush up session on Map and Compass work
It also looks like a Natural Shelter Build would be a good idea as well in the Base Camp area somewere in the corner..lets make the most of what we have there
The next core dates for the monthly meets-depending on how things go I will try to get some more nights, I will hope to do a Four Nighter at some stage.
July 5th and 6th 2013
August 2nd and 3rd
September 6th and 7th 2013.
Last edited:
