That Was The Year That Was

[durulz]

It's that time of year.
I'm at work in body but not in spirit. Not that busy anyway. My sole task today is to come up with a good excuse for not going to the faculty Christmas buffet on Wednesday.
So, it's got me thinking. You see, on Saturday we went out for our last bushcraft outing for the year (yeah, I know there's still a few weeks left, but yuletide chores will get in the way). We went up the North Downs and found a cave (a rather grandiose term - a 10' deep dip in the chalk cliffs is more like it) and had chicken and veg stew, mince pies with brandy cream and sloe gin! Yes, our Christmas bushcraft dinner!
And I was wondering what everyone else's Bushcraft Year had been like and what Bushcraft New Year's Resolutions you were going to make.
I'll start.
I've had quite an active 2009. Didn't do as much camping out as previous years, but had many more individual days. I did more crafting and making than usual, which I'm pleased with. Also found some really good new spots. Made contact with the people at Bushcraft Magazine (not too far from me) and camped out on their site and went on the bow-making course.
I also like mountain biking, and often combine my bushcrafting/mountain biking. Bought a new bike this year and converted my old one to single speed. In the Summer I cycled and wild-camped around the Devon/Dorset/Somerset area - it was my 'expedition' of the year. Be good to do some more of that in 2010.
My Resolution for 2010 is the same as last year's: learn more foraging and wild food skills! Which I didn't really get round to. I'm adamant this year though.
So. What about you?

 

[John Fenna]

Managed lots of Bushy trips - including the Moot - but did not forign trips...
I walked Hadrians wall with a Yankee pal - the best of all the LDP experiences in my 30+ years of major walks - but wrote no walks guides...
I made loads of kit, for myself and friends, but got a lot fewer days paid work...
Learned to forge steel and weave baskets, started my own charcoal burning and "refined" my kit...but also had to sell stuff to buy new tools.
I sent about as much time canoeing as I did on the physiotherapists table thanks to various injuries/old injuries playing up.

Not too bad all in all!

 

[Shewie]

I've had a great bushy year so far.

Got my first canoe in March and have managed to get out plenty for day paddles and camping trips.

I managed to stick to my "out every month" pledge and have visited some great spots throughout the year, mainly Scotland but also parts of the Lakes I've never seen from a canoe before.

Also managed to get my air rifle sorted again after a few years in storage, treated myself to a new scope too and have been out quite a bit locally.

My tree ID skills have come on loads this year, still didn't make much headway with the fungi though so that's one for next year again.

 

[Tengu]

I did lots! (aside from the Moot of course)

I went to scotland, and was out every fortnight pretty much all summer.

Last weekend I was in West Wood, and had a fine time.

 

[dwardo]

I managed to get out quite often but a lot of the time was with people who were new to bushcraft. I am not saying its not cool its just it can be hard work and leaves little time for your own projects etc.

Next year more canoeing, plant id, bow making (once i fix the leaking roof on my workshop )

Also a few solo trips..

 

[HillBill]

Plenty hiking and camping for me. Lakes and dales mainly.

Got to the Swift Valley meets 3 times aswell

Decided to make knives, made my first in June, made plenty now

Not that many purely Bushcraft trips this year, been too busy for most of it. Looking into the new year now with totally different plans than what they normally are. Going to set up a proper knifemaking business at some point.

 

[Kerne]

It's that time of year.
I'm at work in body but not in spirit. Not that busy anyway. My sole task today is to come up with a good excuse for not going to the faculty Christmas buffet on Wednesday.

I'm not at work, but should be - the dreaded swine flu!

This year I have managed to :

• do a foraging course
• take up archery (at school, with about 15 14 -16 year olds)
• do half a dozen or so DoE weekends
• managed to get SWMBO camping twice!
• get into the hills/woods at least once a month
• make my first knife
• make a stack of leather stuff
• learn how to use a sewing machine (I had to teach Textiles from Sept.)

I am still working on:

• a "DIY Duluth" pack
• a DIY "swanni" type thing
• a tarp in DPM PU nylon

but I doubt that I will get any of these finished by the new year.

Not a bad year when I look back - hadn't really thought about it until I read this post. This hasn't half cheered me up as I cough and splutter my way towards Christmas.

 

[nolightweight]

Dragged myself out into the woods for overnighters for the first time this year (April/May) and been lucky enough to get out at least once a month since at SV and RC.

Developed my kit and 'style' a lot since then. Knowledge is improving as are practical skills. Still work and development to be done but that is half the enjoyment.

Happy days folks.

 

[MartinK9]

Attended a lot of Meets, spent way too much on shiny stuff, learnt some new skills....


Most important of all, met some knowledgeable, talented people who have been generous with their time, skill and friendship

Long may it continue.

 

[Melonfish]

Spent far to much thanks to "GAS" (Gear Aquisition Syndrome)
Learned so much about Fungi it makes my head spin, yet i've only scratched the surface.
Got out a couple of times for some cracking walks/camps
Turned 30 this year.
Learned how to make kewl stuff with paracord
Started Volunteer work at my local SSSI
Attended training on woodland management and have chosen a new career path (WIP)

finally, in early january i joined a forum with a bunch of nutters who like nothing more then all things green and outdoors/bushscraft related and learned absolute buckets of information.

next year, more of the same, including getting out more, just confirmed with my walking bud (Calibanzwei) the new year walkies, setting out how i mean to continue!

 

[some like it cold]

This year i managed to do a survival charity bit in sweden in feb, a few days camping in south wales and a few days out and about (all far less than i had hoped)

managed to do firelighting with fire steel and flint and steel (thanks for the kit john)

hoping next year to do some kayaking get out in the woods and make my first kuksa, also want to try and make a sheath for my mora