Central Scotland Meetup: Brownlee, Feb 2006 [Archive]

Toddy

12-01-2006, 11:09

Dates, 3rd, 4th & 5th February 2006.
Brownlee Woods, Clyde valley, Lanarkshire.
Please see this link for directions

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=9375

I've just spoken with Mike Brady, the Countryside Ranger involved, and he has
has kindly agreed to organise the access from the upper gateway so we can get cars safely off road, that side of the river as well.

Not all of us are familiar with these woodlands so a bit of a recce over the weekend would be a good idea, see what needs done over time, and since it's a site we intend to use in the future, maybe some 'infrastructure' work, i.e. hearth, oven, and latrine area could be done too.
By that I mean that I'd prefer that we don't leave anything that would be noticeable, unless you were specifically looking for it, on site.

Otherwise, the weekend's ours, what would you like to do?

George has suggested a discussion on tanning......we can get rabbit easily enough, deerskin takes a while......any other ideas?

Cheers,
Toddy
__________________
You are never too old to have a happy childhood

MagiKelly

12-01-2006, 12:20

Certainly a possibility for me. Just need to check availability.

stevo

12-01-2006, 12:21

Toddy

12-01-2006, 13:46

Since I was unable to make it to the last meet up, I would definately like to get involved in this one.

How do these things work, is it a free for all, is there a structure? Is it a case that if people have something they think they can contribute, then they do a wee presentation, or....well.......whats the deal?

Tanning sounds good........what about some nature obsevation games, and some tracking, mostly sign tracking I would assume!!

Stevo

Hi Stevo,
Well.......so far bushcraft meetups have been non-hierarchical, consensus led and quite laid back. :D
Generally one person has made contact with land owners, responsible bodies etc, sorts out any fees required, etc., but the onus on keeping and leaving sites in good order falls on everyone who visits. It's considered courteous though to seek out the person who did the organising and introduce yourself.
*Structured* days haven't really happened, if you bring something along that you'd like to show/ demonstrate/ teach, there'll be someone who interested in what you're doing and it kind of grows from there :)
Usually some kind of barter table is organised, (the barter can be cash ) but many are just happy to see what's about, and it's amazing what excess stuff, that turns out to be someone else's good thing/ just what they were looking for, moves around.
The use of the Brownlee site isn't costing us anything, there is hope though that we'll clear out brush wood and take down some overly invasive young trees as part of our activities, but that's going to be *such* ;) a hardship, since we've got the use the stuff up too. There's no rush, the aim is a regeneration of the woodland as part of the wider upper Clyde valley ancient woodland, and our involvement counts as community access, so everyone's happy.

There are a couple of folks who may need lifts from train stations, if you do, please post details of where you can get to, I'm sure there'll be pick ups available :)

Looking forward to the weekend.
Cheers,
Toddy

JFW

12-01-2006, 13:55

Toddy,

just a quick post to let you know I'm up for it. Will have to check my diary though.

Cheers

JFW

Wayland

12-01-2006, 16:03

I hope someone else has made a "Wayland" Chain as it looks like I won't be able to make this one. :(

stevo

12-01-2006, 16:21

Well thanks Toddy.......I'm definately up for it......

I would need some help on the transport front......as far as I can gather Lanark train station is the closest point of public transport....is is? I can definately get there if anyone would be willing to pick me up.....Alternatively I am in Edinurgh, so if anyone is leaving from there...maybe I could bunk a life from here. If is only 20 mins in the car from lanark train station.......is a long walk not out of the question if all else fails, I'm up for it?

cheers, steven

gregorach

12-01-2006, 16:23

3rd, 4th and 5th? Like, Thursday, Friday, Saturday? Kinda inconvenient for us desk jockeys... :(

Still, it is early Feb and I have a heck of a time just getting out of bed... ;)

gregorach

12-01-2006, 16:24

D'Oh! Guess who can't read a calendar... ;) Will need to check availability, but could be on for it. :)

MagiKelly

12-01-2006, 16:30

I hope someone else has made a "Wayland" Chain as it looks like I won't be able to make this one. :(

I knew there was something I meant to do (slopes of to B & Q)

Graham_S

13-01-2006, 00:15

i've made one already :D
also, it's a bit of a walk from lanark to the brownlee and it's along aroad i wouldn't like to walk (very dangerous for pedestrians). i try to get a lift if i were you.

JohnC

13-01-2006, 09:11

I'd like to come, and I should have a car, so can give a lift from Edinburgh.

match

13-01-2006, 11:12

Its now in my diary!

(There may have been other things in my diary, but the words Scottish Meet in indelible marker pen now blocks them out :D )

Oh, and what is a 'Wayland Chain' ? :confused: :eek: This is BCUK, not BDSM :p

Doc

13-01-2006, 12:09

Should be there, probably with one or two sons. Might not stay overnight if too cold for their sleeping bags.

JohnC

13-01-2006, 13:44

is this the site?

Graham_S

13-01-2006, 15:14

looks like it.
as for the wayland chain, thats about 18" of brass chain with a hook at each end for suspending a pot from an improvised tripod over a fire. as used by wayland at the last meet.

CraigM9

13-01-2006, 19:33

Hi Toddy,

Can I confirm my attendance for the 4th and 5th - cheers. Looking forward to it!

Craig.

PS. John: Ref 'The Wayland Chain' - I went straight to B & Q from Plean, best £1.05 I spent!

JohnC

13-01-2006, 22:25

"The Wayland Chain" sounds more like a long distance footpath ;)

Graham_S

15-01-2006, 18:28

well i've booked my lift :D
my parents live in lanark so i'm parking my car there and getting a lift to the woods. mainly to save on parking (also it'll reduce the amount of kit i take along)

stuart f

15-01-2006, 20:02

I hope to make it, thats if the boss gives me the weekend off :rolleyes: so hears hoping!

I also got the Wayland chain from B&Q, got 2 meters and 2 s bend hooks.
:27:don't tell anyone but the guy at the checkout made a c**k up and only charged me for 1meter. :D

warthog1981

17-01-2006, 18:49

I would love to come to, will have to ask my boss nicley to get it off.
The closest i can get to is Lanark Train station :)

match

18-01-2006, 13:50

Toddy

18-01-2006, 14:29

As last time, its probably a good idea to get an idea of what skills people can bring, and what skills people want to learn.

PM me anything you particularly want to learn about, or something you're good at or you've just learnt and want to show off :D and I'll draw up a list...

(before we start I'll assume that fire-starting/fire by friction, archery, hammock-hanging, wood/leatherwork and kit-comparing will feature highly as always :) )

Oh excellent :) Can we have a play with the fire cord and the groove methods?
I'd like some basic cooking too, pot boilers and the like.

I've added some of the photos from Brownlee Woods from about a month ago to my photos page
http://www.seamstimeless.pwp.blueyond er.co.uk
Just click and they'll come up to size

Cheers,
Toddy

warthog1981

19-01-2006, 08:32

i could bring a selectiong of steel traps that are still leagal to use to let people see ? do we need to carry all our own water cause im geting the train ?

Toddy

19-01-2006, 08:52

do we need to carry all our own water cause im geting the train ?

Don't worry about it, I'll bring water but it'll need to be brought over from the car; I'll just use those big bottles with carrying handles. I use a platypus in my rucsac; I suggest you bring your own equivalent and I'll see that there's enough water available otherwise.
There is water on site, looks clean enough but it'd need to be Millbanked or filtered and boiled I suspect, just to be on the safe side.
Any idea about train times at Lanark for your arrival yet? If no one has offered a lift yet, do say, and someone will pick you up.
Is anyone else stuck? and is anyone interested in getting there on the Friday?
Cheers,
Toddy

match

19-01-2006, 11:22

I'd be interested in seeing legal traps - as this is an area I don't know much about.

I'll be bringing some water, but also a katadyn filter, so we can always get more if needed.

Toddy - Yes, I'm planning a lot more testing - fire plough and fire thong in particular, as well as the usual firebow for anyone who wants to learn. I'm impressed at how green everything still is, given those photos are mid-December - everything is surprisingly dead around here.. might be good for a bit of winter food-foraging :)

Mike Brady

19-01-2006, 14:04

Hi all,

I've just been catching up on what you've all been saying on the thread. I'll bring a couple of cans along and run a 'workshop' on making drawing charcoal if peopel are interested. I'll also put a couple of 5 gallon water containers (full) in the car so there should be plenty of water for everyone and I'll also bring along a camping toilet that we use on forest School plus a few tarps, bow saws, loppers and a big 8 pint kettle.

I'll also print this off so I remember all of it.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Mike :)

JohnC

19-01-2006, 14:27

Very interested in the charcoal business... I'll have to look for stuff to swap.

Will there be further details about parking and location?

Toddy

19-01-2006, 21:31

. I'm impressed at how green everything still is, given those photos are mid-December - everything is surprisingly dead around here.. might be good for a bit of winter food-foraging :)[/QUOTE]

It's the river valley....it's always a bit milder round here, it's rich orchard and market garden land, fertile soils, good irrigation and well sheltered, and I think the woods face South too. There were certainly lots of fungi, etc., sprouting. The last visit though was freezing cold but beautiful.
I've got fresh nettles coming up, bitter cress and celandines are just poking through. Even the blackcurrant buds are swelling up and the primroses are already in bloom in my garden.
Cheers,
Toddy

warthog1981

20-01-2006, 08:23

i can get to lanark friday 09:42 or 10:42 or 12:12 or 13:12 what time do you want me at ? ? ?
is there any flat spots for my two man ten ?

gregorach

20-01-2006, 09:39

Doesn't look like I'm going to be able to make this one... Maybe next time.

Graham_S

22-01-2006, 15:45

due to circumstances outwith my control etc etc,
i can't make it. sorry, maybe next time.
work has got me.

Toddy

22-01-2006, 17:35

Aw shame, guys :( From my pm's it seems like a few more folk want to drop by, visit and chat but unlikely to stay over.

I'm just back from Brownlee, had a brilliant day; *finally* sussed out the Geography....don't laugh Graham..... I know I don't have any sense of direction :o

We found masses of fungi, three huge outcroppings of Oyster mushrooms, guess what's for dinner ;) ?

A huge ivy covered birch has come down over the path along the Garrion. If it's still there in February it's a good excuse to try out the ivy cordage stuff as well as using the branches/roots for hearth boards.

The ponds are starting to green up at the edges with new growth too. Looks like a fox got one of the swans, all that was left were wings and feathers. We saw the buzzards soaring over the Scots pines on the ridge & Fiona whistled for them, they drifted over to see....excellent :D

The long range weather forecast is for cold and dry, fingers crossed :)

Cheers,
Toddy

warthog1981

23-01-2006, 08:34

how many people are going ??? :) ive cleared it with my boss and got it of . :)

JohnC

23-01-2006, 08:42

I'm planning to go, practicing hammock knots.

Mike Brady

23-01-2006, 15:08

Hi Warthog,

I'm not sure how many people will be staying on Friday night (I'm staying on Saturday night only) but I can meet you at Lanark station and give you a lift to the site if you still want to stay.

Can you email me at work on mike.brady@southlanarkshire.go v.uk.

thanks

Mike

ps. After my last post it occurred to me that maybe I should have pointed out that I'm the Countryside Ranger who set this up with Toddy in case you were wondering.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Mike

Grooveski

23-01-2006, 15:49

Due to unforseen circumstances and changes of plan.... :rolleyes:
....I may be able to come along after all. :D

Mike, thanks for your aid in sorting access to this land. It's in a great spot, handy for many to get too.

Word of advice - edit your last post and take out the e-mail address. Folk can PM you and leaving your address there is just asking for some junk-mail engine to find it. I've got a couple of addresses that are virtualy unusable these days after putting them on open forums. :(

Mike Brady

24-01-2006, 09:10

Thanks Grooveski - I'll do as you say in future.

Mike

Big Geordie

24-01-2006, 21:51

We can't have a meet without Graham S!
Perhaps he will send us his Jordanian Herders Father Christmas Coat so we can sit it in his prime position at the fire.
He's quite a resource to do without.
Looking forward to seeing you all there Toddy I shall be there Friday (earlier if poss. The big city is getting to me.)
George :You_Rock_

Graham_S

24-01-2006, 23:22

awww blush.
it's nice to be missed.
unfortunatly my talents are needed elsewhere. a combination of work and other commitments.

match

25-01-2006, 14:41

awww blush.
it's nice to be missed.

While I'm hoping to be able to show anyone who's interested some of the more traditional fire-starting skills, unfortunately people will just have to wait til the next one if they want to see how to properly make small nuclear-style explosions from curious mixtures of chemicals.... :D - sorry to hear you can't make it!

filcon

26-01-2006, 19:28

Can only make it on the friday, when,s kick off.Filcon

Mike Brady

27-01-2006, 15:58

Hi all,

Tiem to start working out the details. The site is there all the time so you can arrive anytime on Friday. We're planning on having the camp near the pond as its quite hidden and has quite a few flat open areas. I'm meeting warthog 1981 at Lanark around 1.15 and will be on site by 2pm. I'm planning on unlocking the gates then so we can use the small car park. Please don't try and turn right into the car park as the entrance is on a really dangerous bend - go up the road a bit more and turn around so you can turn left instead.
I'm not staying Friday night but I'll be back around 9.15/9.30 Saturday morning, stay Saturday night and aim to have everything packed away and leave by around 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

If you want to get on site before I'm there that isn't a problem. There is parking for about 6 cars at Cardies Bridge (bottom end of the wood).

If you get asked what you're doing by members of the public don't be offended just explain. If they still have a problem ask them to come back on Saturday or Sunday when I'm around and I can sort out any issues. Or even better, invite them to join in.

I'm hoping for a fun relaxed weekend where we can do some talking and work out a way to take things forward - I'm also aiming to enjoy myself so look forward to seeing you all over the weekend.

Have fun

Mike

MagiKelly

27-01-2006, 16:08

I should still be there but might have my girls with me so may not be staying over. Will depend a bit on the forecast.

Is there room to pitch a 4.5m diameter Tipi?

wildrover

29-01-2006, 22:46

Hi Toddy,
I'd like to attend if poss.
Probably arrive Sat about 11:30am if thats ok.
And if I can I'd like to stay over Saturday night (maybe in my magikelly sleep system :D )
I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of skills to help others but theres lots I'd like to learn.

Looking forward to it, hope the weather is ok :)

MagiKelly

29-01-2006, 23:20

My latest update is that I will not have the girls with me but will not be able to stay on Saturday Night. I will bring hammocks and tarps with me though if anyone wants advice on setting them up.

Toddy

29-01-2006, 23:24

I should still be there but might have my girls with me so may not be staying over. Will depend a bit on the forecast.

Is there room to pitch a 4.5m diameter Tipi?

Not immediately at the pond site.....unless we clearout some hawthorns :confused: Maybe a little further over, I must admit I was looking at the site from the bivvi, hammock and small tent, point of view. There's certainly room among the big pines next to the river though. :) Be good to see the girls there too, it's nice site.

M

Hi Toddy,
I'd like to attend if poss.
Probably arrive Sat about 11:30am if thats ok.
And if I can I'd like to stay over Saturday night (maybe in my magikelly sleep system :D )
I'm afraid I can't offer much in the way of skills to help others but theres lots I'd like to learn.

Looking forward to it, hope the weather is ok :)

No problems, be good to see you there, there'll be folk on site and it's as much a chance to meet up and see what everyone is doing as it is to teach or show off stuff you've made :)

Weather looks as though it might be damp :( , might even snow on the Thursday....the long range looked good last week, too. Ah well, we'll see.

Cheers,
Toddy

stuart f

01-02-2006, 11:39

Sorry folks i'm not going to be able to make this one,just had a phone call from the boss and i'm having to work :cussing: :censored: :banghead: :tapedshut that about sums up how p*****d i feel. Anyway hope you have a great weekend,remember to take lots of photo's so we can see what we missed.

Grooveski

01-02-2006, 12:22

Nay luck Stuart. :(
Won't be long 'till the next one I'm sure. :)

I've just entered the digital camera age so I'll mind and take plenty of blurry underexposed shots(I've been praticing, lol :rolleyes: ).

jason01

01-02-2006, 12:53

Im very tempted, could do with some fresh air! Could I be pencilled in as a possible? If I make it I'll be staying for the duration :)

Toddy

01-02-2006, 13:26

Long range weather forecast,
http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/UKXX0583.html

Not bad, not bad at all, especially for February :rolleyes:

Ooh bad luck Stuart :( we'll "wywh" and post photos....the site is one I'm sure we'll be visiting again :) If you can get away though come and have a visit.

Jason if you can get here you'll be very welcome too.

Mike says he'll have the top gate unchained by 1pm on the Friday, and he'll see about some signage for the first visit, labelled "Brownlee Meet".

Short resume for directions. Find Garrion Bridge, cross the bridge and bear left. Go up the hill and take the road on your right to Law. The woodlands on your right are Brownlee. Drive up this road and turn around in the wide T junction on your right hand side to Carluke, and come back downhill to the double barred gate on the bend now on your left. This is the access to the hard standing for parking. Please try to leave the area in front and to the left of the gate free for folk to turn so that they can exit facing into traffic.
The clearest map I've found is Google maps, and type in Brownlee, you want the Brownlee Road, Law, ML8 map.
From the M74 turn off it's less than 10 minutes to the site.

Cheers,
Toddy

Lurch

01-02-2006, 13:33

Wish I was going - got the inlaws coming this Sunday.
:(

jason01

01-02-2006, 13:38

Great stuff! Thanks Toddy :D Ive just managed to get permission off SWMBO couldnt persuade her to come though, soft southerner ;) just need to sort myself out now!

I'll bring a billhook or two if we're going to be doing some work. Just looked at your forecast link Toddy and had a bit of a shock until I realised it was in Farenheit, snow would be just too much to hope for, I dont know about everyone else but I'd love a bit of snow, its been far too long since I woke up in a snow covered tent :)

Toddy

01-02-2006, 13:47

........... Just looked at your forecast link Toddy and had a bit of a shock until I realised it was in Farenheit, snow would be just too much to hope for, I dont know about everyone else but I'd love a bit of snow, its been far too long since I woke up in a snow covered tent :)

oops :o , I just looked at the pretty pictures :D I'm so used to Celsius that Farenheit feels 'wrong' somehow.
http://www.metoffice.com/weather/europe/uk/swscotland.html
and aim for Glasgow, might be better...though our bit of the Clyde Valley is always nicer than in town.

Cheers,
Toddy

Graham_S

01-02-2006, 17:18

if anyone is coming through lanark, there is a rather good surplus shop beside the railway station that is worth a look. i've found good stuff in there before and the prices aren't too unreasonable.

JFW

01-02-2006, 17:20

Hoping to get there on Saturday morning and possibly stay over till sunday, will have to see whether I can blag the whole weekend to myself.

Cheers

JFW

Big Geordie

03-02-2006, 00:11

Sorry guys, I've been trying to get over a bug.. shivery etc, and it hasn't gone yet.
So sorry I'm going to miss the fun. See you all soon.
George :(

Doc

03-02-2006, 08:49

Sorry, Mary, but it looks like I have other committments that I can't get out of. So it looks like it's going to be a no-show from me too.

Hope you all have a great meet and no doubt see you all at the next one.

MagiKelly

03-02-2006, 09:22

Well I'll be there Saturday morning and staying over till Sunday. Probably need to leave about 11am on Sunday to collect the girls though.

Toddy

03-02-2006, 09:47

Hi George, hope things settle soon, camping out's not funny when you're feverish and achy.

Doc, tell Ross we'll miss him too.....I'd even sussed out the perfect firepit for him :rolleyes: it'll be there when you do manage a visit through.

We'll see all you another time.

I'm heading up to Brownlee in a couple of hours, weather's looking good, and I want to be outside. Looking forward to this. :D

Cheers,
Toddy

CraigM9

03-02-2006, 16:41

Apologies Guys,

Not able to play as I had planned - hoping to pop over sunday morning though!

Have a good one - hope you shift the flu George!

Regards,

Craig.

jason01

03-02-2006, 18:03

Blimey, it should be a small and elite group at this one! I'm not going to be able to make it either :(

Trying to sort out directions and I got this:

http://www.jasonbhall.freeserve.co.uk/brownlee.bmp

I think you must all be in the woodland at the bottom left quadrant of the pic, unless Im looking in totally the wrong place, cant see the fire though ;)

Hope you have a great time.

MagiKelly

03-02-2006, 21:27

Blimey, it should be a small and elite group at this one! I'm not going to be able to make it either :(

There is no hiding quality :)

Toddy

03-02-2006, 21:45

There is no hiding quality :)

:lmao:

Had a beeeautiful day up there today, sunshine, birdsong, woodlands, water, fire going, kettle on, good company..... :D

The road is busy but once on the path towards the river the noise just disappears and the woods are quiet and peaceful.
I'll see that the gate is open early tomorrow, Warthog1981 will probably beat me to it though, if the wildlife lets him get some sleep :rolleyes:

Cheers,
Toddy

Grooveski

03-02-2006, 22:06

That was torture Toddy by the way. My desk isn't that far away and with you annoucing that you were away out for a wander.
You got a nice day for it. :)

Judging by the last weeks weather I think I'll pack for "changable". ;)

JohnC

04-02-2006, 22:34

Testing a bench at Brownlee

Mike Brady

05-02-2006, 16:26

Thanks for the photo John. That just sums up the weekend.

I had a really good time and enjoyed meeting you all - great to work with people who have respect from the environment and can see jobs that need doing and just get on with them. Thanks.

I'll meet with the local landowners once I'm back from a weeks holiday and let them know that we plan more meets. I'll also try and source some better parking.

Looking like the next task will be to sort out the pond dam, clear the overhanging trees and do a bit more litter clearance. Once I've got a date sorted I'll post it on the thread and let you know the details.

Hope you all enjoyed it as much as me.

Mike

wildrover

05-02-2006, 19:57

Hi, Toddy
Sorry I was a no show.
The kids are down with a sickness bug.

It wasn't fair to leave the wife to deal with it on her own :(

I'm gutted (my bag had been packed for days). :( :(

Hopefully I will manage the next one (fingers crossed)

wildeep

05-02-2006, 21:46

Regards to everyone who made it to the Brownlee meet. 'twas great to meet you all and in such a charming location too. :D

Here is a web page with info on the delicious Velvet Shank mushrooms and the poisonous look-alike that was pushing my paranoid buttons:

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/march97.html

the deadly gallerina marginata (aka gallerina autumnalis) is recorded in a number of UK mushroom surveys (although I have never seen one,) but I am unclear as to why it should be omitted from so much of the brittish fungus literature... :confused:

Hope to see you again soon!

JohnC

05-02-2006, 21:50

I'm still alive and well after the fried mushroom :D (and very nice it was)

Grooveski

05-02-2006, 22:04

Way too short for me(but that's a one-nighter and sleeping in for you).
Was great to meet you all and have a look around the place :D . A very interesting place is is too.

A few pics - forgot to lift the camera when we went a wander :o .

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/JOSHGROOVESKI/Brownlee_1.jpg
This was entirely too cosy. There's certainly no shortage of trees to roost in.

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/JOSHGROOVESKI/Brownlee_2.jpg
It's a high variety woodland. These pics barely scratch the surface.

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/JOSHGROOVESKI/Brownlee_3.jpg
Didn't get over over to see the dam. Here's a "before" pic of the pond for posterity.

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/JOSHGROOVESKI/Brownlee_4.jpg
I'm starting to think folk'll have to ban me from the fire before I get round to trying the bow-drill but as always others were mastering the rubbing of the sticks :) .

Roll on March and that fresh holiday sheet. Wish I'd been there Friday as well.

JFW

06-02-2006, 09:55

Thanks for a great weekend guys (and girls) despited being dumped out my hammock 3 times I can honestly say that sleeping in a hammock is the way to go, well once you sort out your knots.
Hope you all made it home safely.

Cheers

JFW

Grooveski

06-02-2006, 14:23

Thought I heard someone having a down-to-earth moment :) . While drifting off to sleep my last thought was "What you grinning at? You might be next! :p ".

Was reading a book over Warthog's shoulder at one point and meant to take a note of it's name. A5 with black and white pics of various stone/antler/etc tools. Not much writing, just comments on the pics. Could it's owner post the title please so I can try and track down a copy?

match

06-02-2006, 17:07

Yep - wonderful weekend - just trying to get on with a day back in the office has been a toughie!

Grooveski - those books were ones that Mike brought along and was happy to lend to folk - if you PM him you can probably borrow it...

Will see if there are any pics worth putting up onn the camera - mostly forgot to take any!

Gill

06-02-2006, 18:11

great weekend folks i think i,ll be at more thanks people.between jfw three dump hammock trick and three legged stools eh!.hope to see you all soon .grooveski that guy in the picture certainly looks as if he knows what he,s doing.

warthog1981

06-02-2006, 19:30

it was an excellent weekend the stuff that memorys are made from a big thanks to everyone who was there :)

Grooveski

07-02-2006, 10:19

Doing better than I did Gill! There's the first wisp of smoke there, I barely raised steam at the North Meet. :p

Cheers Mat, Warthog PM'd me that he's got it. I'll huckle it for a look at the next one.
I'm much the same, kind of distracted, it's a hard place to get out your head.
Was just looking at the aerial shot that Jason posted - looks so different now. I can see the pond as plain as day, where I pitched my first hammock, where I gathered my first crampballs, where I plucked my first ripe swan.... :D
I feel like going round and doing something, picking some litter or just wandering the ash wood admiring potential bow staves.

Did anyone else find it odd to have the dead/live wood situation reversed? Normaly it's use the dead and leave the live but here it's leave the dead for the fungi/nature and selectively thin the overcrowded. I'll bet more live trees came down over the weekend than in all the uk meets last year.

JohnC

07-02-2006, 10:47

Very true, I was looking over my shoulder when I was cutting down the ash poles.. and that was with the ranger saying I could!

Toddy

07-02-2006, 22:56

:D I had an excellent time folks, thanks for the company and many thanks to Mike Brady for sorting out access, etc., It was good to see so many people, both known faces and new ones too. Thanks too to everyone who took the time and trouble to explain, teach and demonstrate skills, it really helped made the meet special. :You_Rock_
I have photos to post, I'll get to it, promise :rolleyes:

Thanks too to all of the people I bartered with, I reckon I won.
Lots of good things :D

JFW (thank you for carving the wooden spoon)and Warthog1981, my brother says that if you use the casenit it will make the edge so brittle the steel will shatter with a blow, I'll bring some next time but might bring brother too so you can all have a play around with the stuff ;)

JohnC, hope you got the car sorted out without problems. :( I'm still sorry you had to. I'm impressed with the woolen shirt :cool: & I'll see about green linen.

Ben, nice site, loved the photos, welcome to Bcuk, and don't be a stranger. The velvet shanks were delicious :)

Match & Fireferret, those twisted staves are going to be so beautiful, remember photos, please :)

Warthog1981 made fire first time of trying with the bowdrill too...elder hearth and hazel spindle. :cool: :cool:

And a big thank you to everyone who cut up Fomes for my dyepot too, much appreciated :)

Cheers,
Toddy