what do you take to occupy yourself when its dark?

[pango]

As usual, poll options never seem meant for me.

It depends on the time of year, as it doesn't get properly dark here in June. It also depends on where I am, as I tend to seek out reading material relevant to the area I'm in. When camping on Loch Arkaig recently, I read The New Road by Neil Munro, a story relating to the Mile Dorcha (Dark Mile) and the hopes that the tarring of the lochside road (1930's I believe) would be the saviour of dwindling local communities but proved to be only a more convenient way out... a tale of exodus!

Otherwise, something historical or informative of events, features of the immediate area from cattle raids, skirmishes, remnants of Commando training, ancient settlements/monuments... My latest passing interest is the profusion of hides/dosses built by SOE trainees along the coast towards Mallaig during the WWII.

Tending a fire and cooking take up my winter evenings, followed by a fine malt and song. The rest of a nights entertainment is usually provided by Mother Earth!

 

[Gaoler]

I always have a book and a leather pouch with Dice in if I feel sociable. I also take my MP3 player but I never listen to it. You think I'd of stopped taking it but it seems to be like a comfort blanket.

 

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

Low lumen setting on headtorch & a book......whatever fitted in the bergen on the day.

 

[maddave]

I like a read, but if there is socialising then i'm there

 

[monkey spanner]

I take a radio,
A bit of light chatter last thing sends me right off
Also there is nothing better than dossing in my hammock in the morning & listing to the traffic report,(smug grin on face).

 

[Logical]

So im the only one who takes a pack of cards with me.
Nothing like a good game of rummy or poker (with matchsticks) while out camping.

 

[Tadpole]

I take a reading book, my mp3 player which has 20 hours of music and twice that in audio books. I also take a camera, note book, wild food and free food reference book, plus a good bottle of something nice to drink and when appropriate another bottle of something nice to share with passersby.

 

[The Joker]

Solo trip, I just lay back and stare at the stars.

With friends its great conversation and beers.

 

[superc0ntra]

Sit by the fire, enjoying the sounds and smells, maybe just carve on a stick or something

 

[Bones]

I sometimes play a small homemade flute and I have my dogs to keep me entertained.

 

[tinkerer]

i like to watch the fire or the stars in full HD with the sounds of the wood s in full 7.1 surround sound

 

[Miyagi]

By and large, nothing, if on my own(mostly)and just for a night, just listen to the night sounds.

Agreed, or I take my dog, in which case he listens to the night sounds - and keeps me awake as he trods on me tuning his direction finding lugs in...

the sounds of the wildlife does me more than enough... u cannie beat it...

How the f**k do you manage to do that?

You're either belting out "Killiecrankie" at full pelt (with me harmonising) or busy pulling me out of a fire I've fallen into headfirst.

Cheers Gaz.

Liam

Edit; I take Vodka...

 

[mattweasel]

Don't take anything with me for entertainment, just look at the sky and listen to the trees swishing in the breeze and drift off to sleep.

Love waking up at dawn in the woods.

 

[rommy]

Love waking up at dawn in the woods.

I wouldn't care what her name was - waking up with any woman in the woods sounds fine to me!

 

[Miyagi]

I wouldn't care what her name was - waking up with any woman in the woods sounds fine to me!

Comedy Gold!

 

[william#]

i use to take books but after a few years i realised i never read them and i was just carrying dead weight - ive always thought r4 would be a great way to be out with but am yet to find the right electronic device i have a very small mp3 player which i have enjoyed using in the hammock from time to time and i have audio books which i could load onto it

though i dont have much room on it have been looking for a good player to use out but i am just over whelmed by whats on offer so i end up just not knowing what to buy and if i dont know i dont buy.

i do like just listening to the sounds of whats around me when out to i love those gentle breezes and listening to the wildlife and picturing
what is going on it the wild world , im quite good at reconising the sounds of the wildlife now, so i get a good picture of whats going on around and i love making connections like a bird alert call to something approaching (probably not an acurate picture but hey its a nice way to pass the time in my head".

also like heading out on stealth walks generaly with no light scource to keep as hidden and silent as possible though when its really dark and i am concerened about obstacles and hazzards i switch the head torch onto red and flash it on every now and again.

love gregs whisky and tin whistle idea !

of course where you are lucky enough to be able to have a fire often thats all you need esspecially with a few good fellows and a few good beers

star gazing is another enjoyable one too ive never really formaly tried to map the constelations in my head but over the years ive learnt many and some of the myths and storys around them also on a clear night when your alone i find the constalalations reasuring they are like "old friends"

and if all else fails and im just too restless there is always a trek to a nearby pub lol

 

[rik_uk3]

William, look out on eBay for the Eton Mini300 radio, won't break the bank and they are a great little reciever.

 

[John Fenna]

I listen to the wind in the trees, the water in the stream and the call of the birds, I read the stars and the play of firelight on the canopy....that is when not chatting with buddies and getting beyond thought on a few beers/wine/cider/sloe gins.....

 

[Paul_B]

Well generally speaking I'm always busy until it is too dark to read a book without burning batteries in my torch. That means a book is rarely taken. I mean weight of the book and spare batteries for my torch is not good. MP£ player is good as it weighs next to nothing and if its windy I can listen to it and block out the wind and most likely accompanying rain. If alone (or a friend who doesn't take the p*ss out of me) I also tend to hum or sing to some of the randomly played tracks. Although I must admit Johnny Cash does help me sleep when not too sleepy. I usually do that for about 2.5 hours into darkness then wake up suddenly just in time to turn it off, put into a dry bag, take my glasses off and tuck myself into my quilt for the night. Best nights I've had are MP3 player followed by earplugs. They are among my must have pieces of kits for a backpacking trip (grounddwelling only).

These are carried whether in a group or solo. I also take cards as they are light and you never know. Although quite often between us we only seem to know pontoon or rummy. Really must learn new games.

I do take a book though if near enought to the car as I will read until it is eye strainingly dark. Especially a page turner, thriller or a recent book by guy grieve about a cabin in alaska.

 

[Fin]

I take a book - but it rarely gets read when I'm out.

Like Rik - I'm a Radio 4 addict and listen to it whilst staring at the bush TV (fire!)