View Full Version : Hogmanay Meet ?
Anybody interested in this ?
Might combine it with hiring the small hall and using that for a skills sharing day or so. Means we can take books, fabric and leather along to show / work with, too.
The site I have in mind has over 50 acres of woodland, safe parking (next to the camping area, and handy for hammocking spots. Small loo block, showers available, timber on site, fires allowed preferably in firebowls or pits.
10 minutes off the motorway.
We could also organise a proper sales table if there's enough interest.
Site fees are £5 per person per night, and the hall cost £80 a day, but we can have it as late on as folks are prepared to sit up and work/ read or teach.
cheers,
Toddy
wanderinstar
14-11-2009, 21:21
Yes please Mary. If it becomes a goer, put me down. So sad that I missed Comfrie. But this sounds better and nearer to me.
Will do Ian :)
The site is Wiston Lodge, at the foot of Tinto hill.......I used to climb that at the New Year, it was a great way to bring it in :cool:
The link to the site is,
http://www.wistonlodge.co.uk
It's in a lovely bit of the Lanarkshire uplands, Drew says he'll suss out fishing if folks are interested.
Also, my FNP says he can provide a deer, all prepped and dressed out into cuts and roasts for about £50. I'll see if that's a goer and see if folks want to split, 'cos even the usual suspects won't manage their way through 20kgs of venison :rolleyes: :D
cheers,
M
I'll see if I can swing it at my end but I very much doubt it.
Are there any non-bushy non-scary wifes and hubbies going ?
Oh, meant to say, they have cabins too. Three of them, each sleeping (can't remember :o) four or eight, I know it's two bedrooms anyway.
cheers,
M
I might be up for this one work permitting, any dates in mind yet?
Could be great - depends on dates
NS
Bothwell_Craig
15-11-2009, 23:36
Depending on dates and SWMBO I'd be up for this Toddy
I think what I'll do then is give it a few days, and then post a poll. That'll let us see what days would suit best and we could go from there.
cheers,
M
woods_man
17-11-2009, 14:55
Hi, ye I am up for it!
Peter..
MagiKelly
17-11-2009, 15:02
I'm a maybe as well depending on family commitments and all that.
Barn Owl
17-11-2009, 16:15
I think what I'll do then is give it a few days, and then post a poll. That'll let us see what days would suit best and we could go from there.
cheers,
M
Aye,depends on the usual.
could be up for this one if its ok if i pop along, havent been to any meets yet, quite keen to meet some of you folks, sounds like most of the meets are fun....
Col.....
Of course you can :)
Usually the general aim is to chill out, enjoy the area, the company, the food and the firelight, :cool: and I've yet to come home without seeing or learning something I want to try :D
atb,
Toddy
Sounds interesting but need a date I have long way to travel :drive:
Cegga
ah well, there is that :D
Hogmanay is the last day of the old year, and for Scots that day and usually the following two, are holidays :cool:
It's quieter now than in my childhood but everybody participates to some extent. It's not commercialised the way Christmas is, but most folks look forward to it :D
The dates this year are Thursday 31st, Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, and since it's the weekend most folks will have the Sunday off too :)
We just need to see when suits most folks.
If there are some who would like to be on site earlier I don't mind nipping up and leaving the parachute, but I'll be up to my eyeballs in family and friends most of the preceeding week so don't think I'll stay over. I can come up to stay over on Hogmanay though :cool: and if we're going to do the skill sharing / hire the hall, then I'll clear things at home so I'm there for that too.
cheers,
Toddy
if the stars align I might be able to make it down to meet you all, borrow my brother and his trailer, borrow you lot and some of your time to reclaim the wig-wam/ tepee from wiston lodge and restore it to it's rightful place at my work. :bluThinki:
It'd be the Saturday and Sunday for me. I'm in the Weeg for the bells.
I reckon I should be able to kip the pointy tent too, with room for a few more bodies.
Chainsaw
17-11-2009, 21:05
I'm out I'm afraid I'll be somewhere hot and sunny :D
Cheers,
Alan
scottisha5
17-11-2009, 21:08
Hi Toddy :)
Please can you count in myself, Gerry and Eddie as attending and staying over 31st Dec into 1st Jan 2010. We will all be hammocking. Can you let us know any costs etc and anything else we need to know. Hoping to meet up with some forum members beforehand.
Thanks in advance,
John
ScottishA5
Motherwell
Hi Mary,
Would be interested depending on dates and sounds like a great idea. One snag though if that I may not be able to get a Snoop sitter ( my Jack Russell Snoop) Have had a wee tour around the web site and no mention is made of dogs. Would I be OK to bring him along? Do folks have objections? I know that although some sites allows dogs that some of our members don't like dogs which I can understand. So dog allowance may be a decider for me.
Sounds great though.
Cheers
Colin.
Having met your dog, and happy to truthfully report that it is exactly how a dog ought to behave :approve: I have no worries.
I'll find out though how the site view pets.
Scottisha5, Will do, it'll be £5 per person per night and if we hire the hall for one of those days then we'll split the fee among us.
I won't book it if there doesn't look like a reasonable number of us on site to split the costs.
atb,
M
Hiya
Definitely interested, even my mum, Terry although she fancies a cabin. Whether it's indoors or out we are up for it eiher 2 nights or 3!
Cheers Craig
any further news/updates ref dates ect toddy....
Colin....
woods_man
01-12-2009, 15:00
Hi, I am thinking of going down 28th to the 2nd!
stuart f
01-12-2009, 15:42
Hi folks,bad news i'm afraid,looks like i will be there for this,when i say bad news its because my liver is starting too groan at the thought of all that bevy,oh i've got some Sloe gin that will need to be consumed,just for medicinal purposes you do understand :27::beerchug:
Cheers Stuart.
Damn, that's a shame :sigh: Here was me hoping you'd help finish off the sloe whisky I made, too :rolleyes:
:D
I'm hopefully going to book the site from the 28th to the 2nd. This doesn't mean that folks can't stay either end, just please contact Wiston Lodge directly.
What day (s) would be best for the hall though ? Mind it's £80 a day/night.
Gimme a day or so and I'll get details and a poll up.
atb,
M
woods_man
01-12-2009, 23:29
Ooooo sloe whisky :beerchug: :beerchug: :lmao: :lmao:
fred gordon
02-12-2009, 19:44
Would love to but have other commitments. Hope you all have a great time!:)
this would have been a good way to meet some folk from on here but i have to wurk...dam
Enjoy.
Barn Owl
04-12-2009, 20:40
this would have been a good way to meet some folk from on here but i have to wurk...dam
Enjoy.
Just say when you're ready,I'm sure someone of us will be available for a night out.
Tam.
johnnytheboy
05-12-2009, 00:38
I might pop along for the jaunt up tinto, any ideas when that might be?
firecrest
05-12-2009, 01:56
Id like to make it to a Scottish meet one day, if anyone is travelling up from the northwest or northeast, Ill happily share petrol costs. Just a shot ;)
cheers barn owl,
would need to be after the nu year now as if i'm not wurking i'm out touring the family like a lot of folk at this time of year im sure.
have been reading this & other threads & looking forward to a nite out...i had a solo night at lochindorb in grantown-on-spey in october after some good advice from people on here.....have some pics but cant get them on which is a shame.
thanks again!!
woods_man
07-12-2009, 21:47
Hi, can you add your name and dates that your intending to go to
the new year meet below,
Thanks
Woods_man 28/12 - 2/01
:D
Okay, it's a go.
Wiston are happy with the dates, and the rate is £5 per person per night. The chute will get charged at the same rate, and if we hire the hall that's £80 per day/evening.
The site has hot and cold running water, electricity if desperately needed in the same building, and firewood is available. Free if we are prepared to provide the labour to carry the already cut logs from the felling area to our campsite.
Now I need numbers.
The dates I have are from the 28th of December to the 2nd January.
The site is available outwith those dates but you will have to book them for yourselves if you want to stay.
I'm going to add a poll.
I'm going to use the poll to give me numbers of people per day. Please multi option the days you expect to be on site, and are willing to pay for, I need to send a 20% deposit soonish, and the full price is due before we get there.
I can cover this just now, but my budget won't stretch to paying for all of it for folks. I know you're all good for it, so no worries.
cheers,
Toddy
Barn Owl
08-12-2009, 22:42
I should manage Mon,Tues and Wed.
It'll be good to see you there Tam :D
I'll probably only be up for a daytime visit at that early, but I'll bring up the chute and the firebowl.
cheers,
Mary
I would like to come but will know after the works on call rota is finalized next week. so might only manage a day visit...
See how it goes :)
I'm aiming for totally stress free, chill out, enjoy the woodlands and the company. :D
I'm slowly coming to the opinion that maybe we should keep our specific skills sharing to a dedicated weekend.
Maybe late January or early February. It's pretty dreich then, a well lighted big room to sit and work in would be a good thing round about that time.
Any other ideas on this ?
cheers,
Mary
warthog1981
10-12-2009, 23:05
I was thinking about coming along for the Wednesday 30th December 2009
Thursday 31st December 2009 Friday 1st January 2010 :)
maybe a day before and or after :)
Yeah leave the skills sharing to a dedicated weekend :)
I think you're right :)
Maybe give ourselves a month or so and have a weekend for it ?
Does that sound okay for other folks?
cheers,
M
Gailainne
12-12-2009, 18:09
Looks like I'm going to be available for this afterall, I was heading for the sun but, circumstances have dictated otherwise.
Stephen
The skills thing, I'm sure there will be a few moments of actual bushcraft during the meeting :rolleyes: in between the eating, drinking and staying warm :D
Cheers
Stephen
Wow one thousand posts, who would have believed it !
Oh good :D
I'm looking forward to a totally chilled out one this time round :cool:
and, congratulations :approve:
I hit 10,000 earlier today :o
I think I really ought to offer a kind of competition, and since you're celebrating your own millenium I'll give you first shot :)
I have ten bags of tablet to be posted to the first ten folks who pm me their name and address :D
atb,
Mary
p.s. Sorry your warm jaunt didn't come off Stephen
Giving this a bump before I contact WL tomorrow.
I know lots of folks have pm'd and said they'd likely be up to join us, but can't say definitely when yet.
However, is there anybody else who can before I add it up ?
cheers,
M
stuart f
14-12-2009, 14:48
Hi Mary,i think Sophie may come along too if thats alright,we will probably do the Thursday to Sunday.Do you need any cash up front or will it be just like Commrie i.e pay for the nights when we arrive?.
Cheers Stuart.
Excellent, she's a good lass :D
I could add you in and pay the deposit or you could contact their office yourself and pay over the phone ?
We're supposed to pay in full 28 days in advance but this one is a one off special case.
They need the names, etc., to cover their insurances, that's why the register.
The lady on their end organising the details is named Pam, and if you tell her that you are with the bushcraft group she'll sort things out.
Failing that, I'll pay the deposits up front and we can register and sort things out when we get there.
I need to work out the cost of the chute and divvi that up too. They say £5 a day, it's so handy though that I don't think we grudge it.
Josh said that adding skirts to it helped to stop the worst of the draughts when it's bitter cold and folks are sitting blethering for a couple of hours. He suggested small tarps or green windbreaks. I've certainly got cloth, and surely it's not beyond mortal wit to figure a way to get them stable.
cheers,
M
Grooveski
14-12-2009, 15:56
Tripitaka and I had a cheap 12x8 builders tarp each that time and with your chute each eyelet lined up bang-on with the tie-on points for the string(every 2 foot?). Couldn't have been easier.
If you'd like the bigger chute I can drop off at your house no bother. Can't make the meet though. :(
Josh I might take you up on that, thank you. :You_Rock_
Mine's fine if we get it high enough but the bigger one drops lower and still gives loads of space.
I'll remember that about the builder's tarps too. I wondered about creating a kitchen area when we're down at the Moot. It gets kind of crowded :o
and that would be a good way to create a covered workspace.
atb,
M
Liz n me can make it too
Dave
Mischief
14-12-2009, 21:26
Yeeaaaa :D
Brilliant :D
cheers,
Mary
Mary I'm gonna try for the Mon, Tues, Wed, as well. My brother might come with me but it depends on his shifts. Looking forward to getting out.
It'll be good to chill out :D
By then we probably all need it :rolleyes:
cheers,
M
wanderinstar
19-12-2009, 20:09
Mary, Do you have directions to the venue, or is it well signposted.
Barn Owl
19-12-2009, 20:23
Mary, Do you have directions to the venue, or is it well signposted.
Ian
It's near Lanark,well only a few miles.
I access it from Ayr to Lanark road A70 just o/side the village of Riggside,where I turn right onto the road to Wiston.
If you can pull up the os map on the 'puter ,you'll get the locale.
I've no gr or the like handy and not good with links.:rolleyes:
Tom.
I do indeed :D
Wiston Lodge....ML12 6HT
http://www.wistonlodge.co.uk/faq.html
I come as though from Glasgow but find it easier to stay on the Motorway until j13, Abington and go that way. I find it's easier and actually quicker driving the motorway a bit further down than going through countryside.
cheers,
M
firecrest
19-12-2009, 20:49
what do you estimate the temperature to be?
Right now it's about -4 oC, and from personal experience of those Lanarkshire uplands, it'll feel colder.
The closest long range forecast I can find says very cold. Not horrendously so, but with only about eight hours of daylight to warm things up, it's still going to be chilly.
Bring warm, warm stuff for sleeping :)
cheers.
M
firecrest
23-12-2009, 00:38
so are the actual dates 28th till the second?
Those are the dates agreed with Wiston. If you want to camp either side of those you need to contact them yourself. The lady who deals with bookings is named Pam.
There are only a few folks who are intending to camp right through, we've left the dates wide so that there's opportunity for more to come even if just for an overnighter.
Is this the information you wanted ?
cheers,
M
korvin karbon
23-12-2009, 01:10
not sure if im fre yet, but if i am i will be there. Hopefully 30th to the 1st atleast.
Be good to catch up :D
cheers,
M
firecrest
23-12-2009, 20:05
Those are the dates agreed with Wiston. If you want to camp either side of those you need to contact them yourself. The lady who deals with bookings is named Pam.
There are only a few folks who are intending to camp right through, we've left the dates wide so that there's opportunity for more to come even if just for an overnighter.
Is this the information you wanted ?
cheers,
M
yes cheers, there might be a chance I can get up with woodstock:)
woodstock
24-12-2009, 01:20
I do indeed :D
Wiston Lodge....ML12 6HT
http://www.wistonlodge.co.uk/faq.html
I come as though from Glasgow but find it easier to stay on the Motorway until j13, Abington and go that way. I find it's easier and actually quicker driving the motorway a bit further down than going through countryside.
cheers,
M
Toddy is that the old winston baracks area of lanark by the race course
No, this is not far from Rigside. Wiston village is from Glasgow/ Edinburgh further down the motorway.
It lies literally at the foot of Tinto hill.
cheers,
M
Okay, it's official, I'm mother henning :o
The temperature in my garden this morning is -11 oC, and I live in the warm bit of Lanarkshire.
Wiston is up the cold end and it's high. It is at the foot of Tinto Hill.
Google and the satellite view shows beautiful greens, it's not looking like that this week :rolleyes:
It's bitter cold, with a foot of snow, more probably on the way. The only saving grace is that there's no wind.
It is very beautiful, for about eight hours a day, and then the temperature plummets and it's dark for nearly sixteen hours.
The long range weather forecast says showers and hard frosts with snow in the North.
I want to know what they mean by North ? Right now I'm looking at a Winter wonderland here.
However, while happy to go up to Wiston (can't get through on the phone :sigh:) I'm starting to wonder about the wisdom of folks driving long distance in this weather.
I did get through to the Crafty Beggars who live nearby.
R. said that the estate roads haven't been gritted and are not easy, so we're not likely to get right next to the campsite by car. The main roads are clear and good though, it's just that last bit into the estate and up to the campsite. It's normally only a four or five minute walk from the house carpark, but the snow is deep and static camp kit is heavy.
Mind too these are Arctic like conditions. If you are not sure your kit is sufficient, then please think very carefully about the practicalities of this.
This one is up to yourselves folks. I'll keep things updated as I can.
atb,
Mary
korvin karbon
24-12-2009, 21:12
I may come up for the 1st during the day now. Just discovered that the exped mat that i thought i was getting for christmas has been forgotten by santa!!!!!
warthog1981
24-12-2009, 21:57
Its going to be a real pain to find dry fire wood to as its all under snow :(
cheers Russ
ive got a Christmas cold and cough so think i will give it a miss especially if it continues to be as bitterly cold as it has been, i think last year at -8 or so without the snow was about the comfort limits of me and my gear, think it was -11 here last night,
I will keep an eye on the weather though and if it and i pick up ill pop along for a day at least
I will be there no matter what, going on the arctic exped in feb 2010, so colder the better, so i can trial any new kit in these conditions.
hope im not the only one there, can we have a show of hands for those who still plan to go, i know its always the case with these things that at the start every man and his dog posts to say they will be there, but when the time comes very few show. i alway think this is a real shame for the person who has put so much hard work into orginising these things, i just feel if you say your going to go, thats what you should do, unless of course you have a real emergency or just cant go for a real reason..
Merry xmas everyone and looking forward to meeting some real die hards in the snow....:christmas1:
Colin
Grooveski
25-12-2009, 01:17
I might pop along if I'm on the mainland.
Supposed to be helping strip out a boat though and if that goes ahead - as colin says - I'll be sticking to what I've already said I'll do.
Don't blame you for playing mother hen Toddy, it's clucking chilly out there. ;)
Josh
I phoned friends who live close by.
They say the main roads are clear, the estate isn't and there are no plans to clear there.
The snow on the camp ground is about a foot deep.
It's a five or ten minute walk in from the closest we'll manage to get ordinary cars.
The firewood is down the glen, cut into metre long logs.
The site is there, they will have the loo block open so there'll be drinking water on site, though with all the snow I don't think that's a problem.
The M74 was closed on Monday and through the night, and there is a severe weather warning out for tonight. The long range forecasts seem to be suggesting more of the same but maybe with some daytime rain.
Unless you have direct access to the M74/A74 I reckon you have to ask yourself is your journey necessary.
On the plus side.......
Last year at Comriecroft was cold and icy, lots of frozen rain and slush.
So far we don't have that this time. It's snowy, bitter cold but it's almost a dry cold. Rare as hen's teeth in Scotland :rolleyes:
It's a beautiful bit of the world, it sits right at Tinto foot, and I would love to go :D
Meanwhile HWMBLT and Sons 1 & 2 are telling me in no uncertain terms I'm nuts to even consider it :sigh:
I have a promise from one of Wiston Lodge's staff that he will phone me on Sunday around lunchtime and tell me what the conditions are like. He has to pick up someone from Glasgow Airport that day so he'll have had to make the journey, etc., etc.,
All I can say just now is, well, maybe :dunno:
If anyone who has said they're going needs to get in touch with me, pm and I'll give you my phone number.
I'm not out of pocket over this, and the Lodge are being very understanding, so there're no other issues to deal with.
atb,
Toddy
Barn Owl
25-12-2009, 05:41
My backs sore as hell but my wee vitara will get me there.
I'm still going Mon-Wed/Thurs.:D
And Colin any bother wi the Landy and I'll pull you out mate.:lmao:
Tell you what though,I'm so glad i've got the Freelander and vitara this past week.
I've room for one (back of the vitara is for gear) unless Gill comes up with me.
Barn Owl
25-12-2009, 05:51
Its going to be a real pain to find dry fire wood to as its all under snow :(
cheers Russ
If it is,it'll be insulated and hopefully still dry.;)
To elaborate on Russ's comment; the firewood is down a glen, it's kind of steep and a foot deep in snow. We're getting it free because we said we'd carry it up outselves and their forester wouldn't have to do that work, but that was before the snow came.
The parachute poles have been cut, but they're lying somewhere in the woods, under a foot of snow :dunno:
If I bring the chute up I know that the Ignis won't manage an icy path or hill :sigh: it's got those blasted energy saving tyres and HWMBLT won't let me change the wheels and fit wider ones. If you are going up I'll park as near as I can get and you can maybe take things up from there ?
I also have the big pots and the venison for New Year's dinner if you want them up.
I won't be the least offended, and I'm certain neither will Russ, if this one doesn't come off. We've made the contacts, seen the site, they're good people and we can go up another time.
I know, I'm mother henning folks :o you're all very capable and anything but stupid, I've just got visions of frozen people wishing they'd just stayed home :sigh:
atb,
Mary
Barn Owl
25-12-2009, 07:36
I'll find the firewood and the poles,eventually.
I've a big tarp anyway that can fit a good few below it and allow the fire pan to blaze.
woodstock
26-12-2009, 03:14
No, this is not far from Rigside. Wiston village is from Glasgow/ Edinburgh further down the motorway.
It lies literally at the foot of Tinto hill.
cheers,
M
I've got it I have camped around that area many a time, driving conditions seem a bit bleak though
windward
26-12-2009, 23:47
Another quick question...if its a camping and caravan park as it says on their website I take it I could drive straight onto the field where I'd pitch up the tipi?
V.
woods_man
27-12-2009, 00:50
Hi, don't know if my kits up to it! but thinking of popping down on Sunday, to see how bad it is before getting my kit sorted, don't think i will do the 5 days now, but will see,
peter...
Hey guys,
I hope you all had a great xmas:christmas1:
I shall be going down to Wiston on Monday 28th at about 9.30am, so i guess i will see you then, ive got a defender 110 that should cope with the snow, so if anyone needs a lift from the main car park, just give me a shout and i will pm you my mobile number.
all the best
Colin
windward
27-12-2009, 06:30
Hi all,
I wasn't planning on coming along this year due to other commitments but there is a slim chance I might be able to now. What I'd like to know is how far are we camping from where we park the cars? Is it quite a walk to carry the kit? As if so I'd take less & lighter stuff than the usual luxuries lol.
Vince
Vince if you go to google maps and type in Tinto, it'll give you the landscape map for the hill. Wiston is just below it to the south.
That big patch of woodland is the estate. The house can be clearly seen and the big field is the camping field.
The idea is to go to the top left of that for our set up. That's next to the trees for folks who want to hammock, and nearest to the firewood, and the poles they've cut, if we want to put up the 'chute. There's an unmetalled road leads around and up to that area, but most cars won't make it if the snow lies. Parking around the main house would be as close as most can get I reckon. So from there to the site.
Does that help ?
cheers,
M
windward
27-12-2009, 06:55
Thanks Mary! Great help. I really do hope I can manage along...if I do it would be from Thurs am through to Sunday.
Vince
Glad it worked :D
Just had a thought, if the snow's still lying deeply, carrying stuff is going to be a right royal pain, but up my loft are two of those plastic sledges the kids use. Blooming sight easier to pull them full of kit that it would be to carry it as well as wade through the snow.
cheers,
M
If anyone wants them up, I'll pack them
mary, im heading doing to the lodge at about 9.30/10am ish, do i have to go and speak to someone at the lodge or is it camp anywhere time now the snow is here. :red:
colin...
I'm hoping for a phone call from one of the staff who lives nearby. He said he would.
Either way I'll call and leave a message on their answer machine that you'll be up.
They are expecting us, but if I phone they'll get the loo block open and the water on.
The water in the burn comes past a farm so not recommended fit to drink.
Camp wherever you choose really, that top corner seemed most suitable. The corner nearest the house is damp enough that they intend to dig it out a bit and create a canoeing loch, so not the best for camping since it's wet even in Summer.
Colin pm me ? and I'll give you my mobile number and if you'd give me yours I can get in touch with you if we come up tomorrow or Tuesday.
cheers,
M
Thanks Mary pm sent, looking forward to the snow camping, should be fun, off to pack my kit now.
All you people swaying about coming due to the weather, just go pack your kit, you know it makes sense and that you will have a good time, just make sure you bring plenty of warm gear and you will be fine, by the time you get there i should have a nice fire going and a brew on :welcome1:, any one who comes loses the fairweather camper tittle for ever......
See you later
Colin aka anuk of the north :lmao:
Just had a call from Peter (Woods_man) who went up for a recce.
He's now at Abingdon services. He's driving a Peugeot 307 and he got stuck on the road to the site twice. Had to be pushed out once and towed out again by a tractor.
He doesn't recommend it folks. It snowed again while he was there and the snow filled in the car tracks.
I reckon that unless you are driving something like a Land rover and you are used to driving in snow, this one's off. :(
Anuk of the North, aka coln18 :D is going up tomorrow, and he is driving a land rover defender. He says that if he can get in he's camping, and if anyone else comes up later on he'll help if needed.
Hopefully Peter will post when he gets home and fill in the details.
Meanwhile I've got quarter of a deer in the freezer for you lot and I'm vegan :rolleyes:
Shall I go ahead and book Comriecroft's hall for the end of January for a skills sharing weekend ? The venison will keep frozen until then :)
cheers,
Mary
Thanks for the heads up Mary, i appreciate all the hard work you have put in on this one, but i think someone had being practicing their snow dance.
As it stands i shall still head up in the morning, but i will wait to hear first from Barn owl to see if there are others planning on going tomorrow, if it was only me, i may as well camp Loch lomondside, so any one planning on heading to Wiston tomorrow please post here to let us know.
P.S IF YOU LEAVE IT TOO LATE AND COME UP ME AND MY SNOWMAN ARMY WILL TAKE YOU OUT, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!! :BlueTeamE
Colin.... :welcome1:
I've just had a phone call from a staff member. He comments that the conditions on the site are really bad.
It's snowing again just now but it's interspersed with wet sleet showers too :(
The weather forecast has severe weather warnings and is expected to be cold, with snow showers and high winds later in the week.
He said that even the tractor is finding it hard going. I'm not risking getting stuck with the Ignis :sigh:
So, unless anyone has a brilliant idea for a last minute site, I can only wish you all a great New Year and hope to see you all sometime soon.
atb,
Mary
That's a shame guys, it was looking favourable for a late arrival after work too.
Fancy too much snow putting a stop to a Scottish meet :(
shocking isnt it Rich, just check the local long range forecast and after tomorrow it looks as if the sun is going to be back from its xmas holidays, so you are more than welcome. :welcome1: to come up later in the week..
All the best Colin
That's a shame guys, it was looking favourable for a late arrival after work too.
Fancy too much snow putting a stop to a Scottish meet :(
It's not so much the snow, it's the access :sigh:
If Peter had gotten in safely today I'd still have said wait and see.
Staff say the tractor had to put on snow chains, so that kind of didn't bode well, especially when most of us drive family cars.
There's no where else nearby to park safely, the village has a hill and a real twist of a road in it,
If you do get there you're free to do the whole better than us raspberry blowing :D I won't be offended, but I'm not encouraging anyone to get stuck in the back of beyond at this time of year.
atb,
Mary
Barn Owl
27-12-2009, 19:10
I'm still going up.
Colin i'll give you a call shortly.
The Scottish meet is back on:You_Rock_ (well on a reduced scale anyway).
Barn Owl and Coln18 are still going up, plan to go up and meet at the small villlage before Wiston, i think its called Rigside for about 11.30am, we will then head up in the 2 4x4 cars and check out the local conditions, if its bad, we will just find somewhere else to pitch up for the night,
i will give Mary a phone tomorrow and let her know how it is on the ground and she can post details for everyone else planning a trip upl..
Colin
Barn Owl
27-12-2009, 19:43
Colin and I are def' going. Meeting at Rigside village c. 11:30hrs.
My mobile is...07971613014.
If access is totally gubbed then we'll find somewhere nearby.:D
Tom.
Oops beat me to it...
wanderinstar
27-12-2009, 19:55
Thanks for the update Mary. Seems like I am not meant to have a New Year in Scotland. Ahh well there is always next year.
Happy New Year to everyone.
Tam and Colin have just phoned :D
They are having a beautiful day up there :cool:
The main roads are clear and the estate *is* being cleared enough to get to the carpark at least :)
Admittedly today is sunny and clear but if the weather holds getting to the site isn't the nightmare it was even yesterday afternoon.
I've just checked the long range weather forecast from the Met Office for the area.
There is snow predicted for tomorrow afternoon/ evening and then it's expected to be slightly overcast, with low temperatures, but not snowy, until Friday. Friday it forecasts snow, freezing temperatures and from then on Wintry showers. Easterly winds and heavy frosts inland at night.
Up to yourselves folks :D
Tam and Colin are on site, Colin is happy to pass on his mobile number for folks coming up and has offered to use the Land rover to help as needed. He said he got right up to the site :D
It's forty minutes down the motorway for me so I think I'm going to head down tomorrow or Wednesday for a looksee. Yesterday there was no way my car would have gotten me there safely. Today.....?
Isn't UK's weather fun ? :rolleyes:
Cold we deal with, wet we deal with, ice we deal with, snow we deal with, but all together? hmmm :o
Anyway, Happy New Year when it comes :D
cheers,
M
Some people have all the luck, i start back work tomoz and finish on hogmanay.... enjoy ya lucky , heehee
woods_man
28-12-2009, 21:24
Hi, think I am going to pass on going to this now, sorry
Its was -5 at 19:30 tonight at my house,
have a drink for me!
Peter..
I typed that reply this afternoon when we had beautiful sunshine, even if it was bitterly cold.
Tonight, I've just been out to the bin, skiteing on the ice as I did so :eek:, and l looked at the garden thermometer. It's reading -7 here right now :sigh:
Don't blame you staying home Peter, this one is just a good idea that didn't work out. :(
Have a good New Year, we'll catch up in January sometime :)
cheers,
M
firecrest
28-12-2009, 21:33
Wanted to go,had it mostly organised, was on the brink of it.....but its looking like too much of a risk :( I really wanted to go as well
i hope Tam and Colin have a big fire going , is everybody pulled out of this one .... who's still going
Graham_S
28-12-2009, 22:54
To be honest, we've done Hogmanay meets in the cold before.
the one outside Stirling a few years back dipped down to about -10, last year at comrie it was coming on for that.
It's a pity I can't be there, but at the moment it's just possible that level of cold would kill me ;)
It's 20+c and sunny here during the day, and I'm acclimatised now.
Wanted to go,had it mostly organised, was on the brink of it.....but its looking like too much of a risk :( I really wanted to go as well
Stunning stuff on ur website ....
Sorry I haven't had a chance to post this earlier, been having computer issues. For anyone going up, take it for granted that the temperature will be at least another 5 degree colder than anything forecast. I worked up there for a wee while, I remember having to break ground for fencing with a pinch bar due to frozen ground in April. Other than that I hope you all enjoy yourself if you do get up. It is a really nice location.
Wondered where you'd gotten to :D
Mind thon excavation when the blizzard came down ? The one with all the sondage pits? Mesolithic cores and a Neolithic axehead? It was just along the road from there; that was not a good time :( I think it took two days for me to get warm again.
cheers,
Mary
Was still thinking of going -or trying to get through anyway ;) though not till Thursday - will anyone be there?
GrahamS - I think you might need a bit more than your camel coat to survive this one - hope Saudi's treating you well.
Barn Owl
29-12-2009, 18:00
I'm back home.
Mainly due to my back.
It was -8 on Colins watch and -12 on my car temp last night.
Snowing again when we left today,some drifts starting on the road to the village.
A cracking site though and we're welcome anytime. :You_Rock_ Wiston Lodge.
Def' need to get a meet there when the weather isn't as inclement.
Everyone will like it.
I will second that Barn owl and once again thanks for a good evening, you cant beat walking in circles to keep warm..... goodjob
Colin
Thanks for letting us know Tam :)
It is a good site for a meet up, isn't it ? :cool:
I knew of it but had never been there until I contacted them and went up for a recce. So pleased to find it was as good as I hoped, and the staff are both friendly and helpfully welcoming.
I knew that those Lanarkshire highlands were exposed though, and experience of working around there told me it *could* be bitter cold.
We've managed cold fine before, but the early snow and ice this year just put the tin lid on this one, I reckon :(
Sorry people, the best-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley, as a fellow Scot once said.
Hope everyone has a good New Year, if anyone has a last minute site for sharing, let us know ?
cheers,
M
yes Tam took a lot of photos, but i think it will be a while till his poor wee toes defrost, by the look of him i estimate that he will be out the bath next wednesday and then we may see the photos.... :lmao:
Colin
Barn Owl
29-12-2009, 18:33
Lovely bunch of staff we met, Meg,Micha,Pete,Mark.
Showers and toilet facilities,excellent for when we've a lot of folks.
The sitka plantation needs some clearing so Russ would have a great time. :D
I really can't emphasise enough how good this site is for us.
Barn Owl
29-12-2009, 18:36
My bath was glorious:lmao:
Pics will be coming but need oor Gemma to load them on 'puter and photobucket.
Picking her up soon,so hopefully she'll do it tonight.
goodjob:D I'm glad you's guy's made it through the nite it was a freezer last nite, and it's to be the same tonite ...:dunno:is the meet off or is anybody heading back up ... :rolleyes::rolleyes:
I didnt really think it was that bad last night, i think its important to operate at a level you are comfy with, if you have the right experience and kit a night like last night is no problem. It is also a chance to test your skills that you have built up, be them bushcraft or camping skills as well as a chance to see how you operate when out of your comfort zone.
I dont think you learn as much about yourself and your capibilties unless you leave your comfort zone occasionally.
On these nights its also so beautiful with a clear sky full of stars, a chance to learn more constallations and kick back and admire the christmas card scene before you.
Sometimes when in doubt you just have to brave the elements and see what you are able to handle, if anyone has any doubts about going up there this week, think again, grab your rucksack and head to the meet and test yourself, and if no one else is there, so what, pitch your tent and enjoy the quite....
Merry xmas every one
While admirable sentiments Colin, personally I like my bushcrafting to be kind of 'chilled out', as in mellow, not frozen into an icepole. :eek:
I want the bone deep contentment of thinking, " This is the life :D", and have time to relax and enjoy the site and the company.
You are going to the Arctic soon, and your frame of mind must be on that, :cool: However the possibilities are pretty good that the journey to the site is outwith many folks comfort and/ or safety zone, I'm not going to nag at them to make more of an effort to go up. It's not an issue.
If the kit that they usually use is not suitable for the temperatures that are on site, it only means a miserable night trying to be warm enough to sleep. Most of us have 'cold, temperate environment' kit, very few have total Arctic stuff.
If it was -12 last night that's at the limits for almost all of us. I have slept in it down to -17, it isn't something I'm in any hurry to repeat tbh, and as Robby said, the temperatures can drop another -5 all too quickly up there.
There's no opprobium on folks being practical and sensible about things.
However, as the saying goes, "Don't like the weather? don't worry, this is Scotland, there'll be another kind along in a minute" :D :D
We'll get there eventually :cool:
cheers,
Mary
Barn Owl
30-12-2009, 00:09
Some pics in 'Out and About'.