First proper night out (pic heavy)

[spandit]

I hope that's real ale - I only drink hairy beer with twigs in (and living where you do, you'd be lambasted for not drinking Harveys!)

Now that was a thoroughly good read. Glad you got out of there alive. Well done

Thanks but it's really everyone on here who has helped me with my stupid questions over the last few months culminating in me sleeping about 10 minutes from home (if I left my kit behind and jogged) - wasn't really a life threatening situation, even if my whoopie slings hadn't held up! The main reason for going solo is that none of my friends wanted to go with me and SWMBO isn't interested

 

[SiWhite]

Great read - started reading in the house, but halfway through I decamped to the bushcraft corner of the garden in the hammock!

 

[Peanut]

Great read mate. Congrats on your first solo. Your spaniel's antics were a good laugh too.

I'm hoping to get out for a solo at some point as soon as work allows.

 

[Shewie]

Looks like a good one spandit, I bet you're planning for the next one already

Great news about not getting eaten by the killer deer, werewolves, wild boar or rabid badgers

 

[spandit]

Next one will be further than 100m from the bypass and I'll be tying the dog up in his own shelter...

 

[widu13]

I hope that's real ale - I only drink hairy beer with twigs in (and living where you do, you'd be lambasted for not drinking Harveys!)

Drink of the Gods!

 

[spandit]

Drink of the Gods!

Pity it only comes in heavy glass bottles... I suppose I could leave some luxuries like the sleeping bag behind!

 

[Dirty Karlos]

Nice one! Hoping to do my first solo this weekend, maybe :-/

 

[spandit]

Nice one! Hoping to do my first solo this weekend, maybe :-/

My advice:

1) Don't plan on going too far away from home/car in case you need to leave before morning
2) Don't pare your kit down to the minimum - it may be heavy lugging it (a short distance, see 1) but you'll be comfortable - take extra warm clothing etc.
3) Practice setting your kit up beforehand - I'd hung my hammock in that spot before and in other places on numerous occasions
4) Don't panic if you hear a noise (which you will) - if you've chosen your spot well enough, nobody will be able to see you and animals won't be bothered (unless you're leaving food out)

 

[Stuart Danger]

Excellent read, I really enjoyed it. Made me wish I had done a few more solo trips when my dog was around!

 

[spandit]

Excellent read, I really enjoyed it. Made me wish I had done a few more solo trips when my dog was around!

Thanks. Dog was a real nuisance (as always) but I was glad to have his company and warmth. Perhaps I'll sleep on the ground next time so he doesn't have to jump in the hammock with me!

 

[silentbob]

That sounds like a great first night out and an incredibly well written account - had me laughing out loud. I'd be worried about letting my dog in my hammock, I can just imagine his claws making a little nick in the fabric, my bodyweight splitting the rest of the fabric and the two of us being dumped unceremoniously on the deck.

 

[spandit]

...I'd be worried about letting my dog in my hammock, I can just imagine his claws making a little nick in the fabric, my bodyweight splitting the rest of the fabric and the two of us being dumped unceremoniously on the deck

I suppose it's a concern but the TW hammock is double layered and the material is pretty tough (cutting the holes for the eyelets was a pain - my new wad punch wouldn't touch it!). At least we wouldn't have fallen far - was only about 10" above the ground, I think. Most of the time he was on top of my bivi bag - I was more worried about him making a hole in that, to be honest

 

[Imagedude]

Why don't you sling a dog hammock underneath your hammock?

 

[spandit]

Why don't you sling a dog hammock underneath your hammock?

Don't think he'd use it. He was quite happy on the floor last night until he got chilly. In a tarp tent with a blanket he'd be fine

 

[Barn Owl]

Looks a nice spot, pity it was as noisy for you.

 

[spandit]

Looks a nice spot, pity it was as noisy for you.

Would seem a bit pointless putting earplugs in, I suppose!

 

[lannyman8]

awesome work dude...

 

[treadlightly]

Well done. Dogs and hammocks though do not mix well. You could become a ground dweller next time??