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Gailainne
09-03-2010, 19:15
.....I started packing the car today..........it's *never* all going to go :sigh

cheers,
Toddy

Toddy that car of yours emulates a tardis, I could not believe the stuff you pulled out of it at last years moot, including Graham :D

scottforsythe1
09-03-2010, 19:19
hi mary Happy to help from scott

Barn Owl
09-03-2010, 20:42
Is it veggie soup Mary?

I only ask so that I don't throw in any passing meat stuff or Russ's digits.:lmao:

warthog1981
09-03-2010, 20:56
Thats unfair :(

Barn Owl
09-03-2010, 21:17
Thats unfair :(

No,
That's funny at your expense.:D
I might sympathise with you if you manage to c******e yourself though:lmao::lmao:

Mind you, i'm sure you'll find something to take the proverbial out of me over a weekend.

Russ :You_Rock_ mate.

nelly
09-03-2010, 21:17
My Wife (Claire) & I are booked into the field friday & sat nights.

I have a new tent so excited about getting it put up for the first time (is's never going to go back in the carry bag). I have camped for years & I have watched Ray Mears / River cottage type progs. over & over but have never put anything into practice. Learning about friction lighting would be great.

As we have never been to the site before or a gathering like this I'm not really sure what to bring/expect. I can bring a saw & a fiberglass shafted splitting maul & log grenade for collecting wood. I pinged my back yesterday so the maul might not be the best idea. Like I say, i'm not too sure which bases are already covered. I have a woodstove at home so i can bring the end of my winter supply if i have any room.

I was planning on going shooting (wood pigeon) on friday morning but the car has been booked into the garage to have multiple wounds sorted. I might not get out with the gun but if i do i'll bring what i shoot. I'll just bring the pigeon breasts to save littering the site with the feathers. Now that I have said that I will get nothing!

Toddy>>>>>"Now come and say hello, and who you are, to either me, Stuart or Russ, before you set up camp."<<<<<

Will you be wearing name badges? :)


nel

stooboy
09-03-2010, 21:27
Hi Nel and welcome :)

is a friendly bunch, and if you wander upto a group of folks and introduce yourself we will point you towards Mary, Stuart F or Russ.

probably be round the parachute if its up when you arrive:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1061/3166826053_426e91e050.jpg

Be a few folks in the same boat as yourself but just bring what would make you comfortable for a weekends camping, and any toys you want to play with or show off. Bottle for round the fire and a deck chair and your sorted!

Crieff is nearby for any odds and sodds you may forget

gazmc2
09-03-2010, 21:27
i am unfortunately not going to make it now :(, my babysitter has pulled out & the missus says the boy's too young to go out for the night at this time of year. totally gutted. i will get to one of these meets!!!

hope you all have a great time & i want plenty of pics to rub it in so i can sulk while looking thro them.

again i'm totally gutted, so close but yet so far, always seems to be the case with me. was really lookin forward to this as well, even bought a DD tarp in a group buy on here which is great.

oh well what can ye do.

i'll keep an eye for the next one.

gsfgaz
09-03-2010, 21:37
Awe that's crap gaz , what age is the wee yin ..

Toddy
09-03-2010, 22:26
If the bairn's really too wee to sleep out (even cooried in beside you ? ) there are always the beds in the Lodge ?
There are other folks booked in there because their children are a bit on the young side.

Tam, I think, since some of you don't believe you're fed until you've got something dead in your dinner :pokenest: :D, that it might be best to have two pots of soup and stovies on the go.

If we start the pots on the Friday night that'll mean food for the evening and a good start on Saturday lunch. It's cold enough it'll be fine in the covered pans overnight.
I've got a ham joint for one pot of soup, and venison ribs and shin as the basis for a pan of stovies. If there are sausages or pieces of chicken, or rabbit, or whatever turns up, that would add to the stew nicely.
For the Veggies I'll start carrot and coriander soup with dairyfree cream, and I thought a chunky vegetable stew with a rich gravy.
Folks can add bread or nan as they like, make rice, quinoa, noodles or couscous..........could probably make herby doughballs ? Need to take some stew out for the coeliacs first though.
Make a wee change from a big curry, though I have a catering tub of the sauce needing used up if folks want that.

I reckon that takes care of one day anyway, gives folks time to suss out the next one.
If either Vince or I manage to *acquire* a deer in time, well that ought to keep you nicely fed :D
Haggis and veg will fill everyone easily if the venison doesn't appear.

Any other suggestions happily received. If we're at our usual we could feed the 5,000 between us :rolleyes:

If some folks *want* to cook over the fires, brilliant :D but even if it's just everyone helping out in between doing other things, it'll still work out fine :approve:
It's not hard work, it can be kind of relaxing a couple of folks sitting round the fire just keeping a eye on the pots.
I'll bring the big girdle along, you can even make yourself a scone to munch with your tea :D

Just had a thought, Jonnno started a thread on cooking chicken on the fires, in the end he spatchcocked two and spit roasted another. Up to yourselves really :)

cheers,
Toddy

Gailainne
09-03-2010, 22:36
Mary

Might it be an idea to list veg and other requirements for the weekend and an idea of amount needed? rather than as said earlier everyone turning up with a bag of potatoes :o. leftover raw mat'l can be used by whoever needs them. People can pick one or two items to bring along.

I'm no cook as anyone who has camped with me can attest too, however I can shop :rolleyes:

nelly
09-03-2010, 22:52
I have a few de-breasted chickens in the freezer. I think i have a few cooked & one uncooked. In fact I have a freezer full of good chicken stock & it would be nice to make use of & have the space back!

Just been for a look & we have:

Two cooked chickens minus breasts & legs (fine for a stock pot)
One raw chicken minus breasts with legs
3 or 4 ice cream tubs of home made chicken stock

Any use?

Bing
09-03-2010, 22:59
Hiya folks, wow this has grown, a slight change of plans for me. Given that there is so much going on at camp I will not be bringing the canoe. I do have a few new TOPS knives for sale or barter so could bring them if theres any interest.
I will be up Fri, Sat & Sunday. Miyagi I can pick you up en route if you are still up for it.
I am happy to help prep the deer if it strays into camp and also cooking and wood collecting.
Can a 4x4 get upto the top wood? I've a wee chainsaw too which I'll bring. Dont know if I'll get time to catch something for the pot though.
Looking forward to this, not been under canvas for a while.
Dave

Toddy
09-03-2010, 23:02
Hmmm good point.
Okay, how about folks bring a stew pack along ? That's a nice seasonal selection of veggies but not so big that we're drowning in onions and neeps.
I shopped this morning so I've got enough veg to start things off.
Mushrooms, peppers and the like .........someone's sure to bring some.

Deal with whatever you like for your breakfast and whatever bread or rice / couscous/ quinoa/ noodles you'll eat with soup or stew or venison or haggis.
I've got Smash to make tattie scones, or if we have some grated cheese we could make cheese scones to go with the soup/ stew ?

That only leaves the haggi, and the tatties since they don't come in the stew packs.
One haggis feeds two folk well. So either bring a haggis or a pack of meat of some kind, ( sausages or chicken or whatever you fancy adding, is salami good in stew ? ) if your eating vegetarian do you want quorn or tofu, tvp or chickpeas ?
Potatoes...........we only need some for the haggis. I bought enough I think for the stews.

If you want to bake, bring flour, etc.,

Pudding ? We could make a clootie dumpling if folks are happy to keep an eye on it and make sure it keeps boiling but doesn't boil dry.

Or baked apples :D

Tbh I filled the big cook box so there are at least enough staples to make a good start in there already. Could maybe do with some quick cook dried peas and some more lentils

I would suggest just bringing food you'll be okay taking home if it's not needed. I know we can't help bringing enough for others, it's cultural, built into the bones, but we're only there for a weekend this time round.

.............I'm over organising again :o
Sorry.

atb,
Mary

Toddy
09-03-2010, 23:03
I have a few de-breasted chickens in the freezer. I think i have a few cooked & one uncooked. In fact I have a freezer full of good chicken stock & it would be nice to make use of & have the space back!

Just been for a look & we have:

Two cooked chickens minus breasts & legs (fine for a stock pot)
One raw chicken minus breasts with legs
3 or 4 ice cream tubs of home made chicken stock

Any use?

Sounds ideal :D

cheers,
M

stooboy
09-03-2010, 23:24
Can a 4x4 get upto the top wood? I've a wee chainsaw too which I'll bring.

vince managed to get his peugot estate up there the last time, although i dont know if there was much left to the bottom of it when it came back down! especially with all the wood strapped to the roof bars, although he mentioned hes got a 4x4 now to, so between you, we should get a good load.

beats carrying it down! although it was a good laugh.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m60/warthog1981/PC290007.jpg

gazmc2
10-03-2010, 10:13
cheers gsfgaz, the wee mans 4 but likes his home comforts, i'll drag him oot soon when it heats up a wee bit & maybe there will be a meet happening. was lookin forward to puttin faces to name but to me you'll all just be avatars for the time being :).

cheers to you also toddy, i had a look at the rooms but to be honest i was doing this w/end on a budget & the room would work out over £30 for the 2 of us. just not to be i'm afraid. kudos to you for the organising of this, bet the intrest has been overwhelming but it hasnt seemed to faze you. goodjob

Stuart69
10-03-2010, 10:26
I'll be up early on Friday and more than willing to help out where I can.

My 4x4 has plenty of room in the back, raised suspension and armour underneath for helping with the wood.

Toddy
10-03-2010, 10:38
Stuart that's an excellent offer :approve: Russ'll be on site (probably been up the hill and got the stuff cut too :) ) to help sort things out with you.
I know my car won't go up the hill, tried it and those damned energy efficient tyres just don't grip.

cheers,
M

windward
10-03-2010, 14:01
I'll be arriving by about 10am to get set up..want to enjoy the day instead of rushing when turning up later in the day.

I'm also picking up a small chain saw so can help with the wood collection, splitting etc...I know chain saws are a bit frowned upon but I need to watch my back...usually killing me after lots of sawing.

woods_man
10-03-2010, 17:27
Hi Mary, would you like me to put my new bigish folding table in the car?
looking forward to this!

peter..

locum76
10-03-2010, 19:01
It looks like me and Miyagi and possibly Gregorach (Dunc you coming?) will be up for the day on Saturday but not staying over. We will arrive in time for breakfast though so get the kettle and bacon on.

Rob

Everything Mac
10-03-2010, 19:12
right then - I will bring the forging kit along

I will be making as much as I can - because I don't get to do much forging up here at uni.
I have enough steel for a few pokers and some high carbon stuff which may well become small carving knives.

if anyone wants to barter/buy the stuff I make that's cool with me.

if you want something specific made - a drawing would be great. also if you have some steel lying about and want help making something - bring it along and I will try and help out.


I have an old helium tank up here at the mo which I won't get round to using - so if anyone wants it just let me know. I think it was Toddy who had one of these made into a cauldron. It needs some one with a grinder and a cutting disc. Don'y have the kit up here unfortunately.


I will also bring up a few spuds and maybe a bag of carrots. will see what I have in the fridge.

atb
andy

gsfgaz
10-03-2010, 19:18
That sounds brilliant Mac , i would love to see u making a small knife ... sounds grate

Nonsuch
10-03-2010, 20:08
I won't bring any group food initially but will do a couple of Somerfield / Crieff shops runs as required once we know what we have got and what is missing. I'll bring some chopped wood as well.

NS

nelly
10-03-2010, 21:33
I have looked out the splitting maul (anyone can use it, if the shaft breaks, it breaks) & I'm happy splitting logs as long as my back holds out which could be 30 mins or all weekend. If I have a fire to watch I'm happy.

Big Geordie
10-03-2010, 22:24
LIFT still available from Glasgow.
Leaving at about 2.00 pm

Is it ok to bring the air rifle? Ive missed some of the conversations.
G

morch
11-03-2010, 12:00
Shame we can't make this weekend, it sounds like its going to be a great meet, but we simply can't afford it. Looking forward to all of the photos when you get back.

Have a great time

Dave

stuart f
11-03-2010, 21:33
Well thats the car packed ready to hit the road early tomorrow,looking forward to this as it should be a hoot.

See you all up there.
Cheers Stuart.

roy1
11-03-2010, 22:05
Hi Mary sorry to say im not going to be able to make the meet this time due to work and changes in rotas. Hope you all have a great weekend and look forward to seeing the photos, im major dissapointed but what can you do.

Nonsuch
12-03-2010, 15:49
Drove past today and the tipis are sprouting like mushrooms !

NS

Miyagi
13-03-2010, 20:34
Paid a wee visit to Comrie today with Locum76, nice sunny weather with a wee bit of a breeze.

It was a great chance to see things "live" and meet some of the gang from on here. In fact, I met so many folk there I was losing track of who's who.

I'd just like to say thanks and sorry to everyone who had to put up with me asking "What's this do?", "Why?", "What's that?" and many other questions. I got great advice and a real eye opener into bushcraft things.

I'll leave it to the weekenders there at the moment to tell you more once they're online.

A huge pat on the bag to Toddy for getting this off the ground, and for folks who never made it this time, next time it's a must.

Many thanks to Locum76 for taking me there and bringing me back, cheers mate, I had a great day today. :D

Edited to add;

Treacle the dog is working his way through the reindeer bones with gusto!! :D

locum76
13-03-2010, 21:51
Yup, I had a great day too. thanks folks. :cool:

johnnytheboy
13-03-2010, 23:25
Sounds like a great day guys, gutted i missed it

Graham_S
14-03-2010, 13:22
*grumble grumble stuck in saudi can't go grumble grumble*

Hope everyone has fun, wish I was there.

Nonsuch
14-03-2010, 17:08
A huge thank you from Chris and me to Toddy for all her hard work and especially from Chris for helping him to make his mother a bracelet for Mother's Day

NS

coln18
14-03-2010, 17:15
Just got back in from Comriecroft, what a wonderful weekend and some wonderful cracking funny characters, It must be a once a year meet for all the lunatics in Scotland to live in a field just to give the rest of civilization a break for a weekend.

Of course many thanks to Mary and here wee assistants (you know who you are) for setting up the camp for everyone for when we arrived.

Special thanks for Our Wee hobbit friend Stuart F who clearly lives in a shed building and experimenting with materials all year round and only comes out for sunshine once a year at Comriecroft. Thanks for all your help and patience mate, it was appreciated by Jason and myself (P.S MY FISHHOOK WAS CLEARLY BETTER THAN HIS AND I COULD LAND MOBY DICK WITH IT!!!! LOL)

Also enjoyed watching our 2 resident blacksmiths bashing metals and kidding on they knew what they were doing, whilst working us all to death on the air bellows, i need a rest know.

Also had a good Saturday night round the camp fire with all the boys discussing random topics from rolling sheep across cattle grids to Stuart and Tams past glories as punk rockers.

We had a great time at the meet and more importantly, it being a skill sharing weekend i would like to thank everyone who gave their time and knowledge and for the humble way in which they shared it with us slightly stupid and cack handed students...

All the best

Col (The Bushcraftuk pin up boy -and thats bad cause im right ugly - guess what the rest look like? yep its not pretty - IS IT GAZ!!!!!!)

Nonsuch
14-03-2010, 19:04
First pic of the weekend and no people in it ! - an archery tableau. Lots of new (junior) takers for this fantastic sport. Notice also the glorious Perthshire sunshine.

NS

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z53/rw20330/ArcheryatComrieCroft.jpg

Barn Owl
14-03-2010, 19:19
Fantastic weekend and thanks to all who made it so.

Thanks too for the staff on site esp' Geordie.

What a wonderful place to have a meet.

Everything Mac
14-03-2010, 19:47
what a truly amazing weekend.

firstly a massive thank you to Mary and everyone who helped make this weekend possible. my only regret is that I didn't say thank you in person as I was in a rush to get home.

I hope every one enjoyed themselves - I know I did.

It was rather nice to put names to faces and chat to people about blacksmithing and bushcraft without them thinking I'm weird. lol.

I look forward to all the photos.

Can people please put up pictures of the items I forged for them. I like to see things I make in use.

I can't remember the name of the chap I made a lid-lifter for but I was certainly very happy with it.

I'm dreading the pm from Russ telling me those knives were no good :togo:

all the best
kind regards

Andy

Toddy
14-03-2010, 20:27
:D I'm home, exhausted, happy, sunburned, talked out, and so very glad that the whole thing went incredibly well :D

56 people was my tally, and it was brilliant to see you all :cool:
The camp and hall fees were all paid with one day, it went like clockwork (well, Sophie, iimmc :D ) The site is brilliant, the weather to quote George, couldn't have been better if I'd looked in a crystal ball :D

I can't say thank you enough to everyone who worked so willingly to make it a great weekend for everyone. From the old hands like Russ and Stuart and JohnC to the very new newbies, eveyone just meshed.
The site is, and was right through, totally litter free; the firewood (which takes a 20 minute walk uphill to find, and then the same again back down carrying it once it's been cut) was still stacked high (George is chuffed :D)
We had enough food to feed as many again, at least :rolleyes: .......venison, rabbit, pheasant, lamb, ham, free range eggs and veggies......spoiled rotten you lot are :D
Comriecroft couldn't have been more welcoming or helpful :approve:, they said we're great to have and we're welcome back anytime, as a group or as individuals :D
The children were a credit to their parents :D Give them a hug from me and tell them thank you :D They were courteous, helpful and no trouble. Their excellent manners around so many open fires and sharps was very much appreciated. The old hands, Sophie, Joe, Chris and Sean really do lead by example :)

The barter and sales tables groaned under the weight of the kit; ( yeah, yeah, I came home with stuff too :rolleyes: :D )
The little tablet sale for charity made just shy of £30, and I thank everyone who bought some for it :cool:

Big Thanks to Russ for all his help over this weekend, I couldn't have done it without him :D :grouphug:
I am so grateful to Stuartf too, for his unrelenting confidence and reassurance that it would all go well, a voice of quiet reason when I added up the numbers :)
Sophie who is being upgraded to my PA is a wee star :D

Doc and Nonsuch and Stuart69 ran the archery, Stuartf's craftwork is amazing, Nell and Claire for getting stuck in at the cooking, who could forget Roy :D ? the incredibly laid back one dog soaker system :lmao:, EverythingMac and his all day forging sessions, Stoo and Tam and Stuart and Dave, Vince, Craig, Scott and Hugh, and Terry, Geordie and Mike and Stephen and Steve, John, Jane and Joe, Paul and Graham, the Colins, and Rob and Myagi...........I can't even remember everyone's names :o :o Everyone deserves a thank you for your company and your hard work. Folks didn't even wait to be asked, they just saw what needed doing and got on and did it :approve:

Just excellent.

Those of us who organised this meet had a kind of quiet (I was shattered, we had a wee sit doon :o) meeting after everything was down and packed.
We think the next meet ups like this one might be best centred round one craft skill ( it won't stop us talking though and you know someone will mention something and someone else will say, " Come and I'll show you..." )
The suggestions so far are flint knapping, firemaking, forging, leatherworking, basketry, cordage, legal trapping, camp cooking, camp furniture.........
Might start a new thread in a bit and see what we can come up with. It seems a good idea to have a kind of main focus.

In the meantime, I'm home and clean and cozy, I need to find the after sun and I have a mountain of stuff to sort out, but I had a great time.

Thanks folks :D

cheers,
Toddy.....who appears to be suffering from severe :D :D overuse :cool:

Everything Mac
14-03-2010, 20:45
.....who appears to be suffering from severe :D :D overuse :cool:


my hands know exactly how you feel.

Thanks again

atb
andy

Nagual
14-03-2010, 20:51
56 peeps? Damn thats a good turn out, one of the best for Scotland I think. Damn shame I couldn't get up, I'd have loved it, but hey ho, maybe next time.. :)

Cheers,

listenclear
14-03-2010, 21:01
Top weekend had my me, my dad and Graham.
Thank you all - especially Mary:You_Rock_

windward
14-03-2010, 21:13
What a wonderful weekend....huge thanks to Mary, Stuart and Russ for all the organising and hard work they put into this weekend!!! :You_Rock_ And everyone elso who chipped in too!

The weather couldn't have been better...the company couldn't have been better!

Comrie Croft is a fabulous venue...you feel like you're out in the sticks but have full facilities just yards away...and having the hall was an excellent idea...especially if the weather had turned. It did seem a bit surreal when I was speaking to my son, from my tent, in New Zealand at 2am via the interent having picked up the wirless network at the Croft...was an excellent end to the evening...or was that morning :) Yeh OK...I'm a modern day bushcrafter lol...smoke signals are slightly out of line of sign way down in NZ.

Roll on the next event! What date is that???

Here are some of the pics from the weekend...

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/BCUK%20March%202010/12032010323.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/12032010333.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/12032010334.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/12032010335.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/12032010332.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/12032010341.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/12032010326.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/12032010330.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/14032010361.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff211/windward48/13032010360.jpg

andybysea
14-03-2010, 22:33
Cheers windward some great pics there,my god that's one big pooch in the last pic!

Barn Owl
14-03-2010, 22:42
Cheers windward some great pics there,my god that's one big pooch in the last pic!

He's addressed as 'Yes sir and just how rare would you like your steak?':lmao:

Really he's a big soft lump and I love him.

andybysea
14-03-2010, 23:00
Yes i can see why it would be advisable to cook his steak to his liking,seriously though great looking dog.

Stuart69
14-03-2010, 23:02
Really he's a big soft lump and I love him.

He's an absolute cracker of a dog :)

What I did get get him into barking mode with me I still don't know, at least his tail kept wagging at the same time :D

stooboy
14-03-2010, 23:54
Hi all,

Id like to say a huge thank you to all involved in organizing :You_Rock_ and to comrie croft for having us.

I had a great time and there was some brilliant banter. with lots to see and do.

ATB
Stoo.

JohnC
15-03-2010, 08:26
Jane, Joe and me had a great time at the weekend. It's taken a while to get the car unpacked.
I wish I'd brought a camera, but there you go. Lots to watch and do, great surroundings and a large amount of food and fire.

Many thanks to "the organising team"

I like the idea of a focused skill weekend....

gazmc2
15-03-2010, 09:06
looks like you all had a gread time, im gutted i missed it.

more pics please!!

nelly
15-03-2010, 10:16
Myself & Claire had a great amazing weekend.

It was our first time to both the site & an online meet-up. For most it would have been a case of matching up familure names to unfamilure faces which is hard enough but for us (having been on the forum about a week) it was learning both!

We are greatful for being made welcome with special thanks to Mary for keeping us informed & giving us our jobs. I hope we earned our keep?
We will be prepared for next time.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bc1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bc4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bc5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bc3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bccamping3.jpg

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bccamping13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bccamping6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/nellys5000/bccamping2.jpg

PatrickM
15-03-2010, 13:32
Looks like the gathering of the clans, well done to all......lets see some pics stuart. :)

Sniper
15-03-2010, 13:52
I'm gutted I missed this one, work catching me before I got away unfortunately, but looks to have been another superb weekend guys. Hopefully there will be another fairly soon. Im on leave the first couple of weeks in April so may look for another around then if anybodies up for it.

stuart f
15-03-2010, 14:08
Thanks to all for a great weekend goodjob. I've done a wee right up on the out and about forum if you want a look.

Roll on the next one.

Cheers Stuart.

stuart f
15-03-2010, 15:39
Just got back in from Comriecroft, what a wonderful weekend and some wonderful cracking funny characters, It must be a once a year meet for all the lunatics in Scotland to live in a field just to give the rest of civilization a break for a weekend.

Of course many thanks to Mary and here wee assistants (you know who you are) for setting up the camp for everyone for when we arrived.

Special thanks for Our Wee hobbit friend Stuart F who clearly lives in a shed building and experimenting with materials all year round and only comes out for sunshine once a year at Comriecroft. Thanks for all your help and patience mate, it was appreciated by Jason and myself (P.S MY FISHHOOK WAS CLEARLY BETTER THAN HIS AND I COULD LAND MOBY DICK WITH IT!!!! LOL)

Also enjoyed watching our 2 resident blacksmiths bashing metals and kidding on they knew what they were doing, whilst working us all to death on the air bellows, i need a rest know.

Also had a good Saturday night round the camp fire with all the boys discussing random topics from rolling sheep across cattle grids to Stuart and Tams past glories as punk rockers.

We had a great time at the meet and more importantly, it being a skill sharing weekend i would like to thank everyone who gave their time and knowledge and for the humble way in which they shared it with us slightly stupid and cack handed students...

All the best

Col (The Bushcraftuk pin up boy -and thats bad cause im right ugly - guess what the rest look like? yep its not pretty - IS IT GAZ!!!!!!)

Hi Colin,it was a fine weekend indeed,no need to thank me,i'm just glad you got something out of the weekend,and that we will get round to another in the not to distant future.

Cheers Stuart the wee Hobbit.

Toddy
15-03-2010, 15:56
I'm generally an early riser, and at just before 6am I was up washed, dressed and the site was so still and calm, with the Sun coming up over the hills and starting to edge onto the site. I was almost awake anyway when a pheasant clucking around at the side of my tent woke me all the way about half five. If I was a meat eater thon bird would have been lunch :sigh:

There was frost on most of the tents that early on but otherwise the site was very dry. Tents went up onto dry ground and we took them down in Sunshine. Can't ask for better really :D

I dug out my camera and took some photos of the site at that time. I'd been watching three roe deer in the field next to the tents, maybe 40 or 50 metres away from me, but they'd gone under the trees by the time I got my camera.
There were four gleds soaring later in the day, a couple of herons a wee bit up the hill and George says there's an Osprey nests nearby too. One of the lads saw a pine martin up near his hammock as well. It's a beautiful site :D
Needless to say, " did I mind to keep my camera with me ?" that'll be a no :rolleyes: :o I got a handful of photos the whole weekend. Really must do better next time. There were so many things to see, and see being done :D


Views from my tent first thing in the morning.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_P3k-joCv0Zg/S51QACTBY2I/AAAAAAAACW4/6G4D7maCHMM/s800/IMG_0055.JPG


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_P3k-joCv0Zg/S51QLQ9_fQI/AAAAAAAACW8/v0gzi3A5vCo/s800/IMG_0056.JPG


Camp all set up and calm :)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_P3k-joCv0Zg/S51QgQekglI/AAAAAAAACXM/qLFSAsr4uVk/s800/IMG_0059.JPG


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_P3k-joCv0Zg/S51QRmF4P2I/AAAAAAAACXA/IlUJfycfgH4/s800/IMG_0057.JPG


Colin and Jason and company with a firedrill ember :cool:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_P3k-joCv0Zg/S51RUCkKwyI/AAAAAAAACXw/IaT0CM0n794/s800/IMG_0065.JPG


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_P3k-joCv0Zg/S51Rb1WqL6I/AAAAAAAACX0/QFxQhGexuc4/s800/IMG_0066.JPG


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_P3k-joCv0Zg/S51Rl9_FEgI/AAAAAAAACX8/h_GPUUwQkA4/s800/IMG_0067.JPG


cheers,
Toddy

stuart f
15-03-2010, 16:49
Hi Mary,you got some nice photos there showing the peace and serenity of camp.But guess what we are having for tea tonight,yup Haggis Tatties and Neeps that came home with us :rolleyes::D :D

Sophie's over the moon that you promoted her to your personal assistant,all the way home all i got was "a really love Mary" and "every bodies great" and "i want Roy" :)

PS she wanted to know were the chickens alright when you left, after her feeding them the stew :D.

PPS my wife says thanks for the lovely Ikea tins you gave me,infact she says she will have to redecorate the kitchen to have them on display.:eek::rolleyes:.So erm thanks from me i think.

Cheers Stuart.

Toddy
15-03-2010, 17:08
Funny that........guess what *we're* having for dinner ? :rolleyes: :D
Ach, it was a good idea, but there was just soooo much food. Right enough I didn't get lunch until I got home and that was after six. Breakfast was hefty though.

The chooks seemed to be happily rummaging around looking hopeful when I last saw them.........and all the stew had gone :D
George says they're like mini dinosaurs, don't lie down near them or they'll have you :eek:

Your Sophie's a lovely girl :D growing up so fast.

There was a very laid back atmosphere to the meet :cool: thoroughly enjoyable :D Sat round a fire at night enjoying the chat and the company just rounded off the days well.

So...........when are we doing it again ? :)

Comriecroft said that even if the hall isn't available the barn and steadings are most likely free, and since the weather's on the way to being warmer.....

cheers,
M

p.s. do we need to wait until you get around to the painting ? :pokenest: :D

campsiteguy
15-03-2010, 17:30
Hi to all. Just wanted to say a big thank you to you all for coming up to the croft and making my weekend such fun, you left the place so clean you wouldn't have known that anyone had been camped at all; thats the sort of campers we like. Stuart F, thanks for bringing up all the craft items that you made, it was very inspiring to see what you had been working on and you can tell Sophie that the hens are all ok. Hope to see some or all of you again soon, take care.

George

warthog1981
15-03-2010, 18:21
Many thanks to everyone who made this the best meet up yet :D
Thanks to Mary for organising the meet up in the first place :D
Id epically like to thank the people who willingly help carry the mountains of fire wood down the hill and cut and split it :) it was very much appreciated :)

Thanks again Really looking forward to the next one :)

cheers Russ

Nonsuch
15-03-2010, 19:05
Let's not wait too long before doing it again. How about before the main summer rush ? Or failing that, September ?

I'm definitely camping next time with Katie and Chris and the tipi and stove, even if it is only down the road !

NS

Toddy
15-03-2010, 19:12
Hi to all. Just wanted to say a big thank you to you all for coming up to the croft and making my weekend such fun, you left the place so clean you wouldn't have known that anyone had been camped at all; thats the sort of campers we like. Stuart F, thanks for bringing up all the craft items that you made, it was very inspiring to see what you had been working on and you can tell Sophie that the hens are all ok. Hope to see some or all of you again soon, take care.

George


George you not only run a beautiful site but you went out of your way to make things so easy for us. We really couldn't have asked for more.
I'm so glad you were well pleased with the weekend too :D
Your own craft work is stunningly beautiful :approve:

From even just the responses so far, we'll be back :D

cheers,
Toddy

woods_man
15-03-2010, 23:12
Hi, it was a great weekend!
Peter..

sc_steve
23-03-2010, 09:35
Looks great and some excellent photos! Couldn't make it last minute because of work but hopefully will make the next event and be able to bring the tentipi. :)

JonS
24-03-2010, 14:39
Absolutely devastated I couldn't go.... ohwell, whens the next one? :D

Everything Mac
28-03-2010, 20:58
shall we get another skill share weekend up an running in a couple of months?

say the 21st 22nd and 23rd of May?

Would be great to see everyone again!

warthog1981
28-03-2010, 21:01
Mays no good for me June would be better :)

Cheers Russ

xpolex
28-03-2010, 22:56
id be totally up for it but the last two weeks of any month clashes with my shift pattern at work oh well maybe ill get there at some point

Everything Mac
28-03-2010, 23:17
it would have to be late June for me if it were June. I have all manner of field trips to do between now and then.


I am very much looking forward to the next one - I will certainly not be doing quite as much smithing next time as I would like to actually share some skills.

Andy

Toddy
28-03-2010, 23:39
I think the first one kind of got away from us :o It was great to meet so many folks, thoroughly enjoyed myself, but maybe a regular and smaller meet up might suit ?
After all, not every date will suit everybody.

Andy, you could contact Comriecroft and organise suitable dates and then post and see if there are folks happy to come along ?

I know the site gets busy in Summer but George and Andrew both said that the byre areas could be made available to us.

cheers,
Mary

gazmc2
29-03-2010, 20:53
will be keepin an eye here for any updates, sooner the better for me!!

Nonsuch
07-04-2010, 20:33
I'm in too, whenever. Very local so can always pop along

NS

Graham_S
08-04-2010, 23:57
I'll be home in early june, so a weekend then would suit me :D.
Hopefully Katy will let me out to play if I ask nicely :D