Well, thanks to all for the vote of confidence, I thought I was a twit with a keyboard but there you go!
This year has been a good year for me with regards BcUK, I've finally met a large number of the membership for the first time, something that I wanted to do for a long time. Spending time with the Delamere crew has been a wonderful experience for me, I have learnt some interesting things and done some great stuff there. Mushroom walks with The Mushroom Lady has to be maybe my highlight of the Delamere Experience, Fiona knows so much and has real passion for all things funghi!
Of course, I couldn't mention Delamere without thanking Goose for organising the whole shooting match, a number of times as well. Our Stags Breath drinking seesions into the morning and lantern swinging tales of our times in the Engineers are very fond memories, even though I can't remember half of what went on due to the booze!
Matt should also be thanked for his work in sorting out the Middlewood Experience which promises to bea good time. We have plenty planned, not sure if we'll fit it all in though! Also, we have a good laugh here, often taking threads a wee bit off on a tangent with our banter and joviality, but it makes the place a fun place to be!
Graham S is also a great guy, and Gallaine and Lodian, fancy coming all that way for a weekend! That's devotion, or maybe we do better knees up south of the border!
Gotta mention Wayland, maybe one of the most well known guys here. For those that haven't met him, he is a fantastic guy but very humble with it. It could be so easy for somebody with his lifestyle and life experiences to boast and brag about it, but not Gary. Also, he always brings tonnes of nik naks and kit to look at, all of it works of art.
A few guys that I have yet to meet, and I hope that I do one day, are Eric and Red. Fantastic leatherwork and other crafts from Eric, I also think his experiences would be great to listen to being recounted around a fire with a wee dramm or two. Red captivates the imagination with his fantastic photography and his tutorials, and I reckon his beef jerky, apple chutney and blackberry brandy should be in the shops! Excellent stuff.
To all of the people that I met at the Delamere Experiences and haven't mentioned, I have enjoyed your company immensely. There really are so many people that I cannot name them all, that is why I must thank the community at large, the Mods and Admin and finally, Tony for having the idea in the first place and setting in motion the means for like minded wierdos that like hanging around in woods to be able to come on line and discuss the best pants for bushcrafting in!
I salute you all!