and it’s hello from me.

[MrEd]

Get yourself a second hand arktis smock, I paid £50 for my b310 and modifies it a bit, it’s my go to jacket, windproof, warm waterproof and most importantly silent and camp fire spark proof!

 

[Darryl of Sussex]

Sort of yeah. The route to Petworth is over Duncton Hill which is 4 or 4 miles east of here which maybe the hill you’re thinking of. But there is a descent to Singleton from The Trundle which is host to Goodwood Racecourse, the road drops past the Weald and Downland Museum and joins the A286 which heads to Midhurst, about 6 miles north of here. From there it’s east to Petworth, west to Petersfield, north to Fernhurst and Haslemere.

It’s a lovely place to live, there’s a brilliant campsite only a couple of miles away at East Dean with a very easy going tenant farmer. He doesn’t mind fires, hammocking in the woodland etc.

Regards the Fjallraven Anorak 8, I share your views wholeheartedly. Looks great, but soaks immediately, the only bits that are recommended for waxing don’t solve the problem of the hood and back getting wet. Seems fairly windproof, but it’s an expensive windproof. I reckon it’s a dry snow anorak, that’s its environment. I’m considering selling mine and investing in something I don’t mind getting covered in dirt, smoke and fire ash rather than a £360 niche fashion product that stays in the cupboard looking freaking awesome

Fell asleep on the sofa again.

I think you also a fairly interesting area speaking geologically, as you’re in a riverbed of wide and steep(ish)-sided valley. Do you have groundwater issues?. I looked for a local geology group to join so I could learn more about such things, but the only one that existed had had its day and wasn’t upto much more than the occasional visiting guest speaker. A true shame as some of those folk were walking goldmines of useful information. I must stop off at Singleton next time i’m on a drive out that way to have a better look. I presume there’s an old church too? Did you catch Peter Owen-Jones’ mini series on the South Downs Way the other day? Can’t think of the name of it. He’s a lovely guy and a man after my own heart on such interests.

I must confess that I succumbed to the temptation and drove to the home of Paramo yesterday, Wadhurst, only to return (with permission) with a windproof-waterproof zip-pocket-tastic smock! Happy days The outer fabric gives me cause for bushcraft-based concern if i’m going to do anything other than walking or woodland obs, as it’s a thin, silky affair, so (don’t tell my live-in accountant) I’ll need a hard-wearing outer to protect it. I’m bidding on an MTP Army jacket on eBay, so that would work. It’s a real shame that Fjallraven make great dry/ dry snow gear and not wet UK gear as they’re clearly missing a trick with us lot.

Anyway, more later. Going into the attic to dig out my Helle knife (Eggen I think).

Best wishes, stay in touch,

Darryl

 

[Darryl of Sussex]

Get yourself a second hand arktis smock, I paid £50 for my b310 and modifies it a bit, it’s my go to jacket, windproof, warm waterproof and most importantly silent and camp fire spark proof!

I’m all over eBay, google etc today, as I need to get past this clothing period and into the gear phase.... the call of the Solo Stove Titan is strong.... Arktis here I come...

 

[Wayne]

Will be good to meet you at the Sussex Bushcraft Club meets. We are becoming a nice little community of Bushcraft folk.

This is a relaxed social gathering with a different theme most months. From cooking to shelter to first aid. These are not Forestknights courses but I and a couple of members of my team will be about to offer advice

 

[Nice65]

I think you also a fairly interesting area speaking geologically, as you’re in a riverbed of wide and steep(ish)-sided valley. Do you have groundwater issues?. I looked for a local geology group to join so I could learn more about such things, but the only one that existed had had its day and wasn’t upto much more than the occasional visiting guest speaker. A true shame as some of those folk were walking goldmines of useful information. I must stop off at Singleton next time i’m on a drive out that way to have a better look. I presume there’s an old church too? Did you catch Peter Owen-Jones’ mini series on the South Downs Way the other day? Can’t think of the name of it. He’s a lovely guy and a man after my own heart on such interests.

Groundwater isn’t a problem though the water table is pretty high. The chalk releases water slowly and it drains via a seasonal river, The Lavant. The Lavant has just started to flow in the last few weeks and takes the water to the sea via Chichester. Only time we’ve had flooding has been after a very dry spell when the rain came down so hard it flowed straight off the baked ground. Singleton does have a lovely old church, as has West Dean and Cocking (3 miles north). The South Downs way crosses the main road at Cocking. I didn’t see the programme unfortunately, mind you, my gradually disintegrating hip isn’t allowing me to do what I’d like to at the moment so don’t need too much temptation. It’s why we’ve been car camping at East Dean last season, it’s a few nights out, but easy to manage.

Stoves eh? I got a Svea 123 a little while ago and it’s a fantastic little thing. Otherwise I use a remote gas stove, Alpkit Koro. Good flame spread for frying sausages.

Drop me a PM if you’re over this way, I’ll get you a pint in at The Fox Goes Free.