View Full Version : THAMES VALLEY WING
falling rain
07-06-2004, 13:06
OK guy's just so we're not all talking across each other I'll start this thread for people in the Thames Valley to talk and arrange things.
How about we have a 'host' who arranges a pub or coffee shop or venue whatever each month. this will need people to be forthcoming and offer to host a monthly meet-up. I volunteer to do the first one. Just so we can get things moving, how about we meet up in a couple of weeks time...Say the 18th June Friday. If every one is happy with that we can arrange the next meet at the close of the evening at each meet (Good use of English eh ?!!) Jakunen - I'd be happy to pick you up from the Oxford Train Station or coach station along with anyone else who dosn't drive. It dosn't necessarily have to be the last friday every month. just a date we all agree on.
What do you think then ? :-D
Sounds interesting - we talking pubs or do you intend to get out on the ground too?
Fridays present difficulties for me - it being Scout night - so I might have to show an interest from a distance... :-(
Especially the proposed first night, as it's the weekend before a district camping competition that we're entering a Patrol into.
Thanx for the offer of a pick-up FR. Unfortunately I'll be in Broadstone Warren on the Greenhorn course that weekend.
But the idea is sound...
Why is it my diary used to blank/blank/blank, now it's busy/in-two places/in-three-places/busy?!
Why is it my diary used to blank/blank/blank..!
Sounds like a quote from Terry Wogan or Lilly Savage...
falling rain
07-06-2004, 14:17
Gary- yes very much intending to get out on the ground. the first one though should be discuss ideas we all agree on, and arrange something for the next Host meet. eg Jakunen was impressive with his knowledge of plants down in Dartmoor (latin names and all.. don't you know !! :shock: ) so maybe he'd be good enough to do a Plant walk down his patch, or I could do Bow drill bit as I seem to have that cracked now. I think an initial meet-up to discuss our ideas would be wise at first. What do others think ? OK if 18th June is no go for people lets all post dates over the next 8 fridays weeks where we can make it and we'll go with the majority ? How about that idea ?
Mine are - Friday's 18th june/2nd july/9th july/16th july/ 23rd july/6th aug/13th aug/20 aug
Steady there Falling Rain! I might have to get a bigger hat! :lol:
Seriously though, I'd be happy to lead a plant walk, (names of plants (I'll try to remember more of the English ones), culinary and medicinal uses, a bit of folklore), just give me time to refresh my memory. It's bin a while so I want to brush up a bit...I had to ask Tom about a few AND check in your book on a couple as I'd forgotten them... :-(
As they say 'use it, or lose it!'.
I've forgotten more than I'd care to try to work out how much I've forgotten!
I'm busy the following Fridays 18/06, 09/07, 20/08, 27/08, but AFAIK, I'm free the rest. For now...
Do you have to be from the thames valley to come?
falling rain
08-06-2004, 08:38
Not at all Wayne - Any member is welcome if you're willing to travel to the monthly meets that would take place in this area. That was the idea to have local groups so people in a certain area could meet up and arrange some local events thereby avoiding long journeys. We've got the Cotswolds and the Ridgeway and Chilterns all within a short car ride away. I was just thinking along the lines that you could pack your kit on a Thursday evening and take it to work on the Friday and head straight for the hills for weekend straight after work. Summer's on it's way now and although Dartmoor was good if you left for Devon on a Friday after work you can bet there'll be a lot of traffic on the roads and wouldn't get there till pretty late Friday night and have to leave again at Midday Sunday to get home at a reasonable time for work on the Monday. Local meets would mean more time out there and you could still have a full day on the Sunday with only a short journey home again. - You'd be very welcome Wayne
local meets are a great idea. the more the merrier.
i finish work at 1pm on a friday so getting to Oxfordshire from Bognor isn't really a big deal. the cost of fuel doesn't get cheaper but still making new friends is worth it. Its only going to be once a month so Val would not mind too much.
I hope the Southampton lads are going to arrange another meet up.
Roving Rich
10-06-2004, 14:25
:biggthump Good Man,
I'm up for a meetup. That Friday the 18th i'll be on the ridgeway at Streatley, heading by bicycle to Waylands Smithy the following night, then Avebury drove saturday night, then up early to watch the sunrise Monday morning. You are of course welcome to join us :-D
May I propose that first Friday in July, July 2nd then ?
Cheers
Rich
Friday 2nd July? In the immortal words of Mr Humphries
I'm free
Ditto to Mr Humphreys - 18th of June I am running a small bushcraft basics course down at my east sussex site so i cant make that one. However evening 2 July would be ok for me
Blast!!!
i have a Jim Jungle Jaunt archery shoot that weekend. looks like i will have to make the next one :cry:
Im interested. About time I got off my lazy.... you know what I was going to say.
Will be good to put some faces to the names.
Nick
falling rain
15-06-2004, 08:48
Fox & Hounds
279 Abingdon Road
Oxford, OX1 4TJ
Information: 01865 722210
Shall we do it then.? 2nd July 7pm at the above venue. It looks like a few can make it. If anyone needs picking up from the coach or train station let me know. See you there
Sounds good to me.
I can be at the station for about 10 to 7, depending on trains.
Buckshot
15-06-2004, 10:23
I can't make this I'm afraid :cry: , it's a shame because I'd like to put faces to names.
Perhaps next time
Cheers
Mark
falling rain
15-06-2004, 10:46
Jakunen - let me know the time your train arrives in Oxford when you've got it, and I'll pick you up from the station
Cheers mate.
Erm, might need your numbrer though...
falling rain
15-06-2004, 11:11
If anyone needs my number it's 07814293173
sbutler1
15-06-2004, 22:57
Fox & Hounds
279 Abingdon Road
Oxford, OX1 4TJ
Information: 01865 722210
Shall we do it then.? 2nd July 7pm at the above venue. It looks like a few can make it. If anyone needs picking up from the coach or train station let me know. See you there
Anybody mind if a potential "bushcraft novice" from Staines turns up?
Cheers,
Stephen.
The more the merrier mate.
Come along and ask as many questions as you want.
Doesn't matter where you're from, everyone's welcome.
We were all virgins once...
falling rain
16-06-2004, 13:05
You'd be welcome Stephen. As Jakunen says, the more the merrier.
I'm hoping we can talk about some trips out amongst other things and arrange some definate dates. Has anyone got any thing in particular they want to arrange discuss etc ? Don't forget your diaries so we can make some dates
How about finding out a bit more about each other in general and seeing what skills people have so we can maybe arrange to do 'teach-ins' on the trips we plan?
As you publically announced I'm pretty good with the plant IDs, you're good with the fire-bow (can I get me revenge here? :twisted: ), Lithril knows how to make cordage...
Mind you I think it would be best to keep things free-form rather than try to set any sort of agenda. Would be too much like work otherwise... :wink:
Is this an overnight'er, or just for the evening? Gonna have to check with SWMBO first, been away several times without her so far, and shes getting rather miffed with me :rant:
I think it's just a meet in the pub to discuss potential trips and get to know each other a bit better.
Plus of course spin yarns about various successful trips and embarassing failures...
Still I'm sure the one after that will be an overnighter - but I am sure there will still be beer involved no doubt! :shock:
Still I'm sure the one after that will be an overnighter - but I am sure there will still be beer involved no doubt! :shock:
Hopefully yes. We just need to decide what we're going to do.
Are you trying to impune our sober reputations monsiuer? HIC! :uu:
falling rain
18-06-2004, 14:03
You bet your sweet pea there'll be beer involved !! :-D :uu:
Hopefully we can arrange an overnighter at the first meet-up or a couple of nights out over a friday and saturday.
Gary Take another look at the Dartmoor Photos and do you notice anything ?
Looking forward to meeting up with the Dartmoor veterans again and meeting new people too
Date ( and beer) Ok with me.
jakunen sent you a PM as I can give you a lift from Reading if your interested.
Cheers
Nick
falling rain
02-07-2004, 07:24
Anyone still OK for this meet tonight at 7 ?
I'm going to have to pass on this one I'm afraid.
sbutler1
02-07-2004, 07:47
I should be okay. Maybe a little after 7 depending on when I manage to escape work and the traffic.
Buckshot
02-07-2004, 08:24
I can't make it I'm afraid - much as I'd like to ... :cry:
Have fun
Mark
Yep, I'll be there. I'm meeting Nick C at Reading station and we're driving over.
BTW, I've got the Hexi stoves and full for you FR.
falling rain
02-07-2004, 10:20
Great stuff - looking forward to meeting you all and having a yarn or 2
See you around 7 then. Are you all OK for directions, venue etc ?
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=451910&Y=2 04193&A=Y&Z=1
Here's a link to Streetmap showing the location.
i will not be there tonight. :-( let us know how you got on and whats decided for future advents. Will try my best to make the next one.
Roving Rich
02-07-2004, 17:23
I'll be there. I will be a bit late cos i have to take the dog to the vets :cry: so i'll see you later :-D
rich
sbutler1
02-07-2004, 18:49
I'm leaving now. I'll probably call Falling Rain when I get close so I can find you guys.
Stephen.
falling rain
06-07-2004, 13:46
The meet-up on friday went very well and it was nice to meet up with everyone. We're going out on a jolly from the 6th - 8th of August in the Cotswolds. Everyone is welcome and I'll put up details soon for this trip. We also talked about some dedicated training type days were we focus on a specific subject and teach /learn that particular subject that day. EG Navigation , plants, Tree,s etc. This will need people to be forth coming and volunteer to run such a day if they have any particular skill.
Sounds good.
i will check the diary. August is a bit mental loads happening.
glad the night was a success.
Hi all.
I have booked the dogs into kennels for the weekend so all is set. Looking forward to seeing the dartmoor lot again.
falling rain
13-07-2004, 13:58
I'm not going to be able to make the planned meet-up in the Cotswolds now, as another family commitment has come up. Sorry, and hope you all have a good time
Sorry you can't make it Falling Rain :icon_sad:
I have a few questions
So who is going and where is it. the Cotswolds is a pretty big area.
Cheers
falling rain
14-07-2004, 08:25
I was going to arrange a camp-site for the friday night, and then we were going to walk out of there and wild camp overnight on the saturday. I won't go into details, but I've got a lot going on at the moment and life is a little hectic to say the least. Work, Home ,Helping friends.
If someone wants to take over this time, and arrange something. It just needs someone to come forward?. I'll hopefully make the next one when things have settled down.
All the best
Hi.
Is anyone able to arrange an event for that weekend?
I'll see if I can sort something out, but can't make any promises...
Sorry guys,
I'm not gonna be able to arrange anything. I've not had any luck trying to sort anythign out and have meetings every evening this week so won't get time to do anything in time for the week after next. :cry:
Could do with it though as I'm feeling VERY stressed out ...
wolf man
19-09-2005, 10:57
Hello all
just found this thread, and as i'm in Oxford, would love to know if you are still getting together.
Could you let me know when the next one is, love to come along.
WM
mrstorey
14-11-2005, 13:46
Ditto for coming along!
Cheers,
Michael.
falling rain
14-11-2005, 15:29
I'm going too arrange something in the new year in the Oxford area but till then you're welcome to come along to Dartmoor and the bow drill workshop and camp in Oxford :beerchug: