View Full Version : Voluteers needed for new course
Here on Islay we are piloting for the John Muir Trust ,a new moving on 3 day course -
Journeyman -
It will be based under Bivvy/tenatge along coastal and wilderness hills on Islay based on travelling light and simply utilising bushcraft skills exploring/discovering/comserving and sharing. The third night wil be in a local hotel for a brushup/debrief,nosh and accomodation.
We pick you up from the ferry port and supply everything. All you need is a rucsac, sleepingbag/mat and clothes and a sense of humour!
All we ask is a small contribution of £40.
Interested? See the Islaybirding Website or call me on 01496 850010
Jeremyh
Jeremy,
I'm down for it and have asked my team if any of them are interested.
Will check out your website - after the match.
Gary.
It sounds very good.....I'm sure you'll get quite a few after a place at that price! maybe a bit costly getting up there though :cry: If not for that I would be on the list!
MagiKelly
24-06-2004, 21:02
When are we talking about and how much previous experiance of Bushcraft skills are we talking?
definately interested depending on date. Not terribly skilled yet but willing to give it ago.
Any dates?
Sounds interesting
Love to go, have Pm'd you. Leon.
Guys, Jeremy told me the dates were over the weekend 23 - 26 July 2004 - but I would make sure he confirms this.
Should be interesting, and an area I've never worked as a bushcrafter.
Gary is right. 24-26 July. We drop you off at Port Ellen for the early boat
on the Tuesday.
If people are interesed I have joining instructions to email.
There are only six places available and the contribution cost is £40.
You need to get here of course and although it seems expensive the ferry
crossing for foot passenger is about £12 return. There are busses that conect Glasgow to Kennecraig at a reasonable cost too.
Please contact me via
info@islaybirding.co.uk
or 01496 850010
for joining instructions.
All the best
Jeremyh
To confirm - we pick you up on Friday 1505 or 2020hrs from the ferry port .Please advise as to the best time for you folks - It would be good for you to tavel on the same ferry. Although Islay is small distances on single track raods can be big!
I have a four places left...! Oh er! so don't delay.
jeremyh
That, of course is Friday 23 July and departing Monday 26 July first boat.
jeremyh
For anyone that is interested, this is the link for the ferry timetablehttp://www.calmac.co.uk/summer-islay--kennacraig-port-ellen-port-askaig-colonsay-oban.pdf
Good link Leon - dont think I'll be taking the car across! Hope theres a good car park on the main land!
Gary and anyone else interested, there is parking at Kennacraig
http://www.scottishexecutive.gov.uk/consultations/transport/chfd-24.asp
The above is the link for the ferry terminals and has the "rules & regs". It also tells you how much and how many spaces there are.
Fantastic now I just need someone who wants a lift to share the fuel costs and I'm a happy bunny!
Has anyone been able to get hold of Jeremy to find out how to pay him?
I've tried, but had no luck so far, I am only hoping that I am not too late :-(
Justin Time
26-06-2004, 13:27
bus timetables glasgow to kennacraig outward (http://www.travelinescotland.com/Scottish_Citylink/Scottish_Citylink_s04_926_O.ht m) and return (http://www.travelinescotland.com/Scottish_Citylink/Scottish_Citylink_s04_926_I.ht m) No hints on prices
cheapish flights to Glasgow Prestwick with BMIBaby look to be between £40 and £50 each way from Cardiff
General info about getting to Islay here (http://www.isle-of-islay.com/here/)
need to work out the budget/leave combinations......
Sorry to have been out of touch I have been Sea Kayaking till the Gales blew up this morning. Should have been leading a tour on Jura today but ferry not running!
Getting here! Thanks for this James. The cost between Glasgow and Kennacraig is not too costly about £20return.
Leon I have emailed you and have as place saved for you.
Cheers
Jeremyh
Brynglas
26-06-2004, 17:36
Unfortunately I'm unable to travel up for the journeyman course in July. However I would say to all of those who are interested in going that Islay is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the West coast of the UK, and in particular the area that will be covered during the course is completely unspoilt and absolutely stunning.
I spend a lot of time on Islay as my other half is from Bowmore, I think that it's fantatsic that Jeremy is working to improve people's awareness of thils little known area.
The weather however is changeable to say the least, but it is the West of Scotland after all!
To those of you that are interested in travelling from South Wales, I usually fly from Cardiff with BMi Baby to either Edinburgh or Glasgow Prestwick, as both are as easily accessible to Glasgow as each other. If you book early enough you can get flights for about £35 return. Transfers are easy enough from both airports, however check out the bus times from Glasgow around to Kennacraig where the ferry goes from as the journey takes over three hours and , beautiful though it is accomodation is sometimes difficult to find if you miss the ferry.
All the best,
Thanks Jeremy, Just woken after my nightshift from hell (16hrs), have picked up messages and the cheque is in the post, I will see you soon :-D
Gary where are you travelling up from :?:
I am looking forward to this, it has been a while since I could get a totally bushcrafty type head on (sound like Wurzzel Gummidge :-D ). I will enjoy meeting you chaps. :-D
I'll be travelling up from Essex.
Will PM you.
I'm gutted that weekend clashes with a course im on. let us know how you guys get on.
No problems Wayne, I will try and get some pictures of the area as well.
I think Gary has already put my name forward whilst i was in Finland but just to confirm I'm coming too!!!!
Would love to go but travellings going to be a bit expensive for me this year I'm afraid, if you're running any more next year I'll definately be up for it.
I hope this will be the first of many - as I wrote earlier this first one is a pilot for the John Muir Trust.
Once we have established the correct format and gotten all the feedback we will offer it regularly throughout the year. Keep an eye on the islaybirding website.
All the best
Jeremyh
bothyman
30-06-2004, 12:37
Looks like this could be a case of, Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians.
I thought about it 230 miles South according to the Autoroute.
But don't really fancy leaving my transport behind as they are not what you would call secure vehicles.
Maybe another day, but it did seem like it was the closest I was going to come to meeting anyone else on the group.
Just spent 4 days camping up in Durness wet and windy but all good fun.
Have Fun
Interesting the comment about chiefs and indians.
I believe it is very important that we all have our say and input - especially as it a a new course with a couple of partners. I believe it is all too easy to set something up and miss important aspects due to enthusiasm or rashness. Also as Rangers/Instructors we should never presume we know everything - there is always more to learn!
A pity you could not come Bothyman. it would have been interesting to have you along.
There are still two places left! _ You are welcome!
Jeremyh :-D
am gutted that the weekend falls on the same weekend SWMBO's sister is getting married. asked them if they could move it but the look i got.............. :yikes:
am sure that all of you who do go will have the best time!
just trying to find the 'jealous' emoticon!
Im sure we will Jamie.
As for too many chiefs, it shouldn't be the case, we are there to learn and Jeremey is running the show. Personally speaking I am looking forward to putting the student cap on.
On my courses I like to encourage information exchange and will often be heard telling students there is more than one way to skin a cat. Only a fool would believe he was a master of bushcraft and even more so if he believed in the my way or the highway attitude, I think Jeremy is right in saying 'there is always more to learn!'
Anyway I for one am looking forward to it immensly and am very appreciative of the chance to visit a new place and learn new skills.
There is an old sayin that in swedish goes "Den kloke mannen talar till barnen medans den vise lyssnar på dem" translated to english it would be something like this "The smart men talks to the children, while the wise man is listening to them"
Something for you think about that have lot of knowledge and are attending the course...
Even a blind chicken finds a corn now and then :lol:
:-D and long may it do so! :notworthy
Chiefs, Indians, Bears, chickens, children and wisemen. Guys this is beggining to sound like an episode of Grizzly Adams :shock:
was that the xxx rated episode I missed? :shock:
I'm gutted I can't make it either.
I've also got to go to a wedding that weekend. :-(
I too made noises about maybe they could have it the week after...
Thankfully I can still sprint damn fast when faced with a blonde smiling sweetly as she draws a 14" chefs knife!!! :yikes:
This will be my first bushcraft course! Ive spent some time up in Scotland bagging the odd Munro though and I was just thinking I was due for a trip up to the North West Coast when I spotted the course.
So...what kit will you guys be bringing?
The midges are gonna be lining up with their knives and forks out, lets hope its windy ;-)
Jason
Jason the kit list is simple,
Clothes - keep it simple
Sleeping bag
Sleep mat
Personal survival kit (small) - or possibles bag.
Knife
Sense of humour
Quoted from the joining instructions.
Personally I'll add a waterbottle, Mug and stove stand, folding saw, Bivi bag, wash kit and clean clothes for travelling home in. That will be about it.
Stuart did you contact Jermey?
Jeremy if he never can you PM him the details.
A water bottle maybe necessary but we do supply mugs, spoon, bottles.
We also have bahas too - it maybe an idea to bring a bivi bag if you need to cover your sleeping bag - especially if it is 'down'.
A cahnge of clothes will be useful fo rth ereturn and you can leave them here at the RV point to change into once you've showered and go for you pub meal! Also don't forget personal wash kit! I did not put any of these down as, maybe naively, hope that you experienced folks have such wisdom!! Cheers Gary for reminding everybody.
Looking forward to it and hopefully it is dry - not like today when I was up there in the pouring rain! Still amazing though!
Jeremyh
Stuart,
If you have not received joining instructions please contact me via:
info@islaybirding.co.uk
I still have your place saved.
Cheers
Jeremyh
No worries mate. :-D
Speaking from experience most people will bring far more gear than needed - myself included no doubt. :oops:
We are all at fault for that Gary - why oh why do we do it!!!??
Returned yesterday from doing a recce of the route. It is very wet underfoot with run off from the hill so hard going especially oif you are vertically challlenged like me!
Just remember folks - Less is More!
By the way - the sun is shining!
Jeremyh :lol:
Sounds ominous :shock:
Is less is more a hint :?:
What have we let ourselves in for :?:
Sounds ominous :shock:
Is less is more a hint :?:
What have we let ourselves in for :?:
Gary, probably not anything that we haven't let ourselves in for before, and probably will do again in the future :stooges:
bothyman
08-07-2004, 08:26
Returned yesterday from doing a recce of the route. It is very wet underfoot with run off from the hill so hard going especially if you are vertically challlenged like me!
Sounds like you will be needing a snorkel then, may Flippers would come in handy too.
So you have been having a bit of rain then.
We had rain last week but it has been FANTASTIC here this! Sorry for you folk on the mainland. Ah well as Bothman says - specialised kit?
No such thinkas bad weather - just bad clothing. :umbrella:
Jeremyh
Jeremy did Stuart and you liase?
I think he still plans on coming but you will need to sort out details with him asap I think.
Regards,
Gary.
SquirrelBoy
14-07-2004, 18:32
This is probably a long shot but are there any places left on this trip?
Bit last minute I know, but had a change of holidays at work so have the time off and would be great to do some bushcrafty stuff. Oh btw im more of an indian... quite a lot more really :-)
Cheers,
Nigel not my place to say but it would be good to meet up with you again - you might want to try Jeremy on 0781 7914429 or via www.islaybirding.co.uk.
Should be a great weekend and one with a difference.
Let me know how you get on mate.
SquirrelBoy
14-07-2004, 19:29
Cheers Gary, It would be great to see you too :wave:
I have sent an email, fingers crossed time !
A cheeky PM sent to you.
Nigel,
have got your email and replied.
Stuart do not know what has happened - please email me on
info@islaybirding.co.uk
I have you down for a place.
Sorry to any one else who wishes to come ...We are Full!
All the best
jeremyh :wave:
i
AAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHH :aargh4:
I've missed my coach!!! :yikes:
the next coach will get me into glasgow 15minutes after the ferrey has left!!!
sorry guys I hope its a good weekend :-(
AAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHH :aargh4:
I've missed my coach!!! :yikes:
the next coach will get me into glasgow 15minutes after the ferrey has left!!!
sorry guys I hope its a good weekend :-(
Rotten luck Stuart! :cry: :shock:
NNNNNNOOOOOOOooooooo...... how did you manage to miss the coach? That really is bad luck :-(
Ed
MartiniDave
23-07-2004, 14:38
Stuart, I'm gutted for you! What can I say.
Dave
SquirrelBoy
23-07-2004, 16:11
Sorry to hear that Stuart, its such a shame
I too had a place on the course but the very next day after booking it I had an accident at work and have been stuck at home all week :banghead:
I do hope the guys have a great time though, if the weather is like today - am sure they will :-)
stuart f
23-07-2004, 20:34
Stuart could you not just get another ferry as Islay has two running every day for the summer and its only a 2 hour crossing there must be about 6 crossings a day or have you resigned your self to not getting there.
I looked into getting the next ferry over but as its a traveling course I reckon they'll want to start traveling instead of hanging around for me
so i'm sitting at home :(