Sussex/Kent Group Meet - April @ Forgewood, Danegate (Nr Tunbridge Wells) [Archive]

Nova & Pinky

20-03-2011, 22:38

DATE CONFIRMED FOR 16/17 April

As per discussions at the March meet :)

Forgewood is where Neil works and we have been offered space to camp in the woods away from the main campsite for £10/person (per night I think?).

Can everyone do the third weekend in April - 16/17th. Depending on whether I can swing a half day or early finish at work, we may be able to do 2 nights, but I don't know yet.

If too many people can't do this date, we could also possibly do 23/24th April.

If this goes well, I'll set up a series of dates for the next few meets :)

Can we set up a list of 'provisional' interest indicating dates we can do, and we can confirm nearer the time?

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Neumo

21-03-2011, 08:32

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo (16/17 OR 23/24)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Sounds good to me me & hopefully we have a venue we can use regularly

Dark Horse Dave

21-03-2011, 08:53

Thanks Zoe. April's a busy month for me so it's still:

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3)
4)
5)
6)

Loenja

21-03-2011, 10:27

i have a bushcraft course from 18-22, so 16/17 it is, cos il be really tired after 5 days.
1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3)Loenja (16/17)
4)
5)
6)

comeonbabylightmyfire

21-03-2011, 16:38

I'm up for this, if that's ok. Either weekend is fine by me.

Nova & Pinky

21-03-2011, 16:51

More than okay :)

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3) Loenja (16/17)
4) comeonbabylightmyfire (16/17 OR 23/24)
5)
6)

Peter_t

21-03-2011, 19:38

can probably do either day. big thanks for organising these meets as the last one was great:D

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3) Loenja (16/17)
4) comeonbabylightmyfire (16/17 OR 23/24)
5)peter_t (16/17 OR 23/24)
6)

widu13

21-03-2011, 20:14

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3) Loenja (16/17)
4) comeonbabylightmyfire (16/17 OR 23/24)
5)peter_t (16/17 OR 23/24)
6) widu13 + SWMBO + 3 ickkles + 1 mutt (the expense!) 16/17 only

Kepis

21-03-2011, 20:18

Kepis

21-03-2011, 20:26

being a bit tight, does the £10 per person per night also apply to kids or do they go cheaper, i know the boys would like to come along but it would all depend on costs

Nova & Pinky

21-03-2011, 21:09

I will ask :)

Kepis

21-03-2011, 21:59

thanks .

bmartin1uk

22-03-2011, 15:52

Hey All

Never been to a group meet before, would i be able to tag along? Understand entirely if its a private affair. Trying to get out a bit more as getting my mates to camp outside of June/July/August is near on impossible! Relative newbie to it all, but really enjoy hammock camping.

Ben

Nova & Pinky

22-03-2011, 16:03

Definitely not a 'private' affair - last weekend was Pinky's and my first group meet and only our third weekend out bushcrafting!
Have concluded (after our one meet - lol), that group meets are the way to go to learn from others.

Be good to see you there! Please update the list below with your availability for both possible weekends so I can finalise a date :)

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3) Loenja (16/17)
4) comeonbabylightmyfire (16/17 OR 23/24)
5) peter_t (16/17 OR 23/24)
6) widu13 + SWMBO + 3 ickkles + 1 mutt (the expense!) 16/17 only
7) Kep (poss +2) 23/24 only im afraid and then subject to work commitments
8)

bmartin1uk

22-03-2011, 16:42

Cool. I can only do the 16/17 sadly. If it ends up being the 23/24 i'll do my best to make the next one! Does Forgewood have any suitable spots for hammocks? Do they mind us using the trees?

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3) Loenja (16/17)
4) comeonbabylightmyfire (16/17 OR 23/24)
5) peter_t (16/17 OR 23/24)
6) widu13 + SWMBO + 3 ickkles + 1 mutt (the expense!) 16/17 only
7) Kep (poss +2) 23/24 only im afraid and then subject to work commitments
8) bmartin1uk (16/17)

bearman

22-03-2011, 17:06

Damm!! me and Pinky (other Pinky!!) would have loved to come but we're on holiday :-(

Nova & Pinky

22-03-2011, 17:32

Next one should be mid May ish?

Does theother Pinky have pink hair as well? ;)

bearman

22-03-2011, 21:57

Next one should be mid May ish?

Does theother Pinky have pink hair as well? ;)

'fraid not! its a very pale blonde! I expect we'll be up for a May meet up (if we dont kill each other on holiday!)

comeonbabylightmyfire

22-03-2011, 22:40

Yay, this is all looking very promising.

Nova & Pinky

23-03-2011, 12:47

Have been in touch with John at Forgewood again. His quoted email (below) should answer some of the questions asked.
I have offered for Pinky and I to visit him beforehand to look at site options and discuss things in more detail.

In summary though, his preference is for 16/17th April (quieter site so we can better trial it to see if it will work for future meets).

* Adults £10 (under 16s £5)
* Day attendees (no camping) £5
* Well-behaved dogs are allowed
* Water and parking on site
* Wood foraging etc still to be discussed
* Any assistance he may want with woodland tasks still to be discussed

I see this as an opportunity to explore the possibilities for a different style of camping. Exactly what that means I don't know, but until I meet you I won't. My preference is the 16/17th April when we will be relatively quiet. I am very busy for the rest of April until August, not to see we won't be able to accommodate you if we can come up with a workable alternative style of campinbg on the site.

I don't think I can discount under 16's below the rate of £5 per night. Dogs are no problem. Foraging we can discuss, along with woodland management. We do allow visitors but I think there should be a charge of £5 per visitor. There is parking and water. We can explore the woods and see what works best.

bmartin1uk

23-03-2011, 13:30

This sounds great. Did he mention anything about hammocks? or is it tents only?

Nova & Pinky

23-03-2011, 13:40

Hammocks should be fine

comeonbabylightmyfire

23-03-2011, 20:26

Many thanks to you two for all the organisation. This sounds great to me.

jamesk

27-03-2011, 22:32

1) Nova & Pinky (16/17 OR 23/24)
2) Neumo
3) Loenja (16/17)
4) comeonbabylightmyfire (16/17 OR 23/24)
5) peter_t (16/17 OR 23/24)
6) widu13 + SWMBO + 3 ickkles + 1 mutt (the expense!) 16/17 only
7) Kep (poss +2) 23/24 only im afraid and then subject to work commitments
8) bmartin1uk (16/17)
9) jamesk (146/17 only)

I have plenty of nights of camping experience but not much bushcraft. Hoping I'd be able to get to meet a few people, learn some skills/techniques and have a nice weekend. :)

Nova & Pinky

27-03-2011, 22:39

If the last meet was anything to go by, it'll be great fun :)

Neumo

01-04-2011, 13:41

This sounds like it is going to be a good meet. I will have to keep an eye on this one as it looks like I may not be able to make this weekend's Dartmoor meet due to car issues.

Nova & Pinky

04-04-2011, 16:01

How're we looking for this one for 16/17 April?
Also, is anyone game for going on the Friday night to make it a 2-nighter? If so, I'll try get half a day off work :D

1) Nova & Pinky
2) Neumo
3) Loenja
4) comeonbabylightmyfire
5) peter_t
6) widu13 + SWMBO + 3 ickkles + 1 mutt (the expense!)
7) bmartin1uk (16/17)

Loenja

04-04-2011, 17:35

2 nighter?? hell yeah

DaveWL

04-04-2011, 19:13

Hey all. Just checked availability at ForgeWood for the weekend before you're going - bit new at this and ForgeWood looked a good place to start. Good to know they're used to people coming in for time in the woods rather than the campsite.

Hopefully if Neil who works there is about he can point me in the direction of a spot I'm least likely to do damage to myself or others ... ;)

Hope you have a good meet up!:D

Nova & Pinky

05-04-2011, 10:43

LOL Loenja!

Dave - let us know how it goes :)

bmartin1uk

05-04-2011, 13:41

oooo two nights.....i could possibly take a half day or come after work and maybe be there by 7ish. How longs the sun up till at the mo. Not sure im skilled enough to be setting up in the dark yet!
Anyone been to Forgewood yet by train? Trying to decide if its best to go to Eridge and walk in, or Tunbridge Wells and taxi it as the site suggests. The site currently seems to be having an issue with its map, or maybe its just me, so not entirely sure where it is.
So im definitely still up for the Sat night and perhaps the Friday.

Nova & Pinky

05-04-2011, 13:49

Where are you coming down from bmartin? We're coming down from Mitcham (near Croydon) and will probably be driving.

bmartin1uk

05-04-2011, 14:15

Where are you coming down from bmartin? We're coming down from Mitcham (near Croydon) and will probably be driving.

I'm working in central london, so i was going to jump on a train out of London Bridge if we do the double, but if its just saturday night, im in hertfordshire, so in to London first and out the other side! I dont think it'll be too much of an effort, its just that i cant seem to find the place on google maps! :confused::lmao:

DaveWL

05-04-2011, 18:01

No worries and pics if possible :)

DaveWL

05-04-2011, 18:03

Trying to decide if its best to go to Eridge and walk in, or Tunbridge Wells and taxi it as the site suggests.

I'd suggest train if you're coming via London - if you're coming from east or south then I'd say Sunny Tunny and then bus it - only 15 mins on the bus. Going to go via Tunbridge Wells on Friday.

comeonbabylightmyfire

06-04-2011, 15:13

I'm up for a two nighter if it's still an option.

jamesk

06-04-2011, 21:19

I will be coming for one night, my dad would like to come, so we'll probably do our own thing quite a bit but would be cool to come say hi for an hour or two in the evening.

Does anyone know if we are allowed to dig holes? I'd like to dig a dakota fire pit :)

Neumo

08-04-2011, 12:54

I will be there for the Saturday & may be able to do the Friday; will have to see what I am doing on Friday to see if I can do that one as well

comeonbabylightmyfire

09-04-2011, 13:48

I hope the weather stays like this for next week.

Kepis

09-04-2011, 18:25

I hope the weather stays like this for next week.

so do i, im away up the woods Weds, Thurs & Fri:cool:, which is why im not going to be at the meet:sadwavey:, from what ive seen the weathe ris going to be grand for the foreseeable future, big high pressure out in the atlantic just waiting to come our way.

widu13

10-04-2011, 21:41

Sorry guys, I've bombed out and can't make it :-( See you another time.

Nova & Pinky

11-04-2011, 09:40

Okay, based on responses here and via PM, this is the final list (I think) as it currently stands.
If there are any further changes, please let me know!

1) Nova & Pinky (Fri & Sat)
2) comeonbabylightmyfire (Fri & Sat)
3) Neumo (Fri-tbc, Sat)
4) bmartin1uk (Sat)
5) Loenja (Sat)
6) Jamesk +1 (Sat)

DaveWL

11-04-2011, 18:36

Evening all.

Just to let you know that Forgewood was a lovely site. I only ended up staying the one night - was called back home early on the Saturday. But SWMBO says it means I get another weekend away in credit so I can head out again soon.

Piccies below. And hope that you guys get as nice a weather as I did! ;)

DaveWL

11-04-2011, 18:41

Piccies as promised :

Inward bound - can't complain with that weather!
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_001.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_002.jpg

Cocked up and went to the out of bounds area first
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_003.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_004.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_005.jpg

Packed up and moved to the "allowed" area - set up and Trangia out for tea
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_006.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_007.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_008.jpg

Fire up - first time out and about with just a firesteel and cotton wool so chuffed with that. Settled in for the evening.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_009.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_010.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f210/davewl/bcuk_011.jpg

Have a good meet all! There was another BCUK member at the site last week with his missus. If you spot this hope you enjoyed the rest of the weekend!

Nova & Pinky

11-04-2011, 21:53

Great pics Dave - looks like a nice site :)

TJRoots

11-04-2011, 21:59

1) Nova & Pinky (Fri & Sat)
2) comeonbabylightmyfire (Fri & Sat)
3) Neumo (Fri-tbc, Sat)
4) bmartin1uk (Sat)
5) Loenja (Sat)
6) Jamesk +1 (Sat)
7) TJRoots (the scruffy looking guy with the beard that is not)

i can do whenever :) looking forward to it.

DaveWL

12-04-2011, 10:44

I'm planning to head up to Forgewood again in May (probably the 20th to the 22nd). They seem to be running some bushcraft lessons every Saturday with Greencraft - thought I'd have a look.

Or any other recommendations for somewhere down this end of the world?

Nova & Pinky

12-04-2011, 11:05

Neil1 on here is the Greencraft guy and I'm in discussions regarding a more 'permanent' regular venue for the Sussex/Kent/Surrey crew :)

The last meet was at WoWo - and although very campsite-y, would be lovely out of season!

jamesk

12-04-2011, 12:24

So,

what do we do?
When do we turn up?
Who do we pay?
What will we do there? We want to cook venison steaks. Maybe with some other food we bring along :)

Nova & Pinky

12-04-2011, 12:37

Oooh reminds me, I need to sort out the weekend's provisions!

I'm just checking if it's okay for us all to pay John separately on arrival, instead of me having to pay up front! (say you are with the BCUK group)

Pinky and I are generally hoping to chill out - I may do some whittling/spoon making. Going to bring the dutch oven for some al fresco camp cooking practice :)

Also be out first time out with the hammocks so may need help in setting them up!!

bmartin1uk

12-04-2011, 13:14

Really looking forward to this now. Will be walking in, so wont have too much kit with me, or i'd have joined in with some dutch oven kit. The site looks awesome - plenty of room to hang some hammocks. Glad there'll be some other hammocks - we can give each other some help and swap some ideas.

DaveWL

12-04-2011, 15:27

Sorry I'm going to miss you all. I'll definitely be up for the next run out.

/D

comeonbabylightmyfire

12-04-2011, 21:55

Hey everyone. This sounds like it's gonna be so cool. What time are we hoping to pitch up? I'm a hammock virgin so I'd be really interested in observing and helping out if needs be. I've a small tent, but want to play about with tarp configurations because I've got a new 3M x3M DD jobbie and this is its first outing.

Neumo

13-04-2011, 08:13

I will be there on Saturday mid morrning onwards, as I have to be in work on Friday now; damn meetings.... I will bring a hammock & while I am no expert I can show anyone interested in differnt ways to set it up etc... I will also bring my underblanket so people can have a play with that if they have not had a go with one yet.

Looking forward to the weekend so must start getting bit's togeather and go out to buy some supplies

jamesk

13-04-2011, 10:30

I will be sleeping in my hammock for the first time too. Just put it up once as a test on a sunny afternoon.

Also have a DD tarp with my Hammock and am interested to try out some tarp configurations also :)

Sounds like a lot of us will be practicing hammocks so that will be great.

We might pop to a nearby pub for lunch :)

Loenja

14-04-2011, 20:12

sorry guys i have to cancel again, and at so short notice, i have a revision course that goes on til 5 on saturday, and then i have to get back from london aswell, so its not really worth me coming, sorry
:( :togo::(:yikes:

Neumo

15-04-2011, 08:18

Is anyone going to post or PM us the details of how we get there & what we do when we arrive, as I cant see any directions or notes about this. Do we just turn up at the main reception and ask for the BCUK lot?

Nova & Pinky

15-04-2011, 08:25

Will do when i get into work.
Unfortunately due to work, Pinky and i will now not be able to stay tonight, but will be there tomorrow morning.

jamesk

15-04-2011, 09:14

Cool, just confirming details with my dad, but I think we hope to be there by midday.

I will have a hammock to put up too, and I have a little experience with the DD ones so I can (try and) help anyone with similar.

bmartin1uk

15-04-2011, 09:58

CRAP! cant make it. Have to look after the niece and nephew. gutted, but family comes first and all that. Hope to get an invite on the next one and looking forward to some photos. Will be jealously thinking of everyone camping while im watching poxy sponge bob square pants for the fourth time!

Nova & Pinky

15-04-2011, 10:16

Okay folks, full detail for the site can be found HERE (http://www.forgewoodcamping.co.uk/).
We are hoping to arrive mid-morning tomorrow and will need hammock help! :D

jamesk

15-04-2011, 10:29

Okay folks, full detail for the site can be found HERE (http://www.forgewoodcamping.co.uk/).
We are hoping to arrive mid-morning tomorrow and will need hammock help! :D

Can I request you wait for me! I don't have much idea but I have put them up once and 4 minds are better than 2, I would guess (with my dad!) Should be arriving about 11.30.

James