MagiKelly said:Given that there have been no problems with the system in Scotland I cannot see the government objecting...
Oh my god, I've almost died laughing!!!!! I don't think they realise that there is any land outside of London, do they?
MagiKelly said:Given that there have been no problems with the system in Scotland I cannot see the government objecting...
MagiKelly said:I am surprised as many people seem so keen on permits. What you really want to do is lobby your MP asking for the same access rights as we have in Scotland. Then you can wild camp pretty much anywhere except in peoples gardens and a few other sensable exclusions.
Given that there have been no problems with the system in Scotland I cannot see the government objecting on any other basis than lack of time. Even the Foresty commission are happy with the rules. The Scottish meet up was held on a Forestry Commission site, fires and all.
ilovemybed said:But in Scotland there's a lot more open space for a lot less people. As Robin Douglas-Home said: "Scotland, thank God, is not for everyone".
Maybe those who own and run BushcraftUK.com could take such an agenda forward ?
It's a bit different for the average citizen who wants to engage in these activities without taking part in a recognised course. I for one can't afford a £100 every time I want to camp out for a weekend. And the challenge of learning on my own is one of the elements of camping which I enjoy.
moduser said:Same here. I have not attended a course, not sure I will as most of them are aimed at a basic level (I know I don't know everything - far, far from it - and I would definately get something out of any course attended but for the money I find them difficult to justify), but I still want to practice and develop my skills.
What to do?
It's a tough question with no simple answer.
P Wren said:Stoddy - looks to me like you generated a very worth while thread that has got a very constructive debate going.
Moduser - What to do ? Well my thanks go to bambodoggy (Cheers mate) in this instance because he made a suggestion that hopefully will mean I can use a local campsite to practice my campcraft skills.
I approached the warden for a campsite (64 acres of woods and clearings) and subject to then getting confirmation of my CRB (Criminal Records Bureau Check- which will be fine ) it looks like I'll be able to camp there all year round. It's a three mile yomp with my Bergen so I can even get there by foot and save on fuel emissions.
There will always be others using the place and I doubt that I'll be able to disappear into the woodland to enjoy an uninterrupted weekend - Sure it's not some remote Scottish loch surrounded by mountains woodland and deer and it's certainly not Sweden (you lucky thing Abbe !) - It's South East London. But I can have my fires, sling my Hammock (so to speak) and practise all the things that I read about. Job done.
I guess if you haven't got a campsite local to you, then you could always do just what andyn and SMARTYsuggested in the 'National Parks' thread ( http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=8408&page=3&pp=10) and walk up to the nearest farm house or speak to the land owner in person and ask.
Paul
P Wren said:JoshG there are bound to be some scout camps in the Stockton-on-tees area, why don't you approach the wardens directly tell them that you are a keen outdoors type and that you want to learn and practise bushcraft.
P Wren said:Might even stop the 'yoof' staying at home and binge drinking in front of the TV eh stoddy?