View Full Version : Dartmoor Christmas gathering
falling rain
02-10-2005, 13:25
Yesterday I called the extremely nice chap who owns the Cockingford campsite down in 'Widecombe on the moor' on Dartmoor and asked if some of us could use his site out of season (well if you don't ask you don't get!!) He said that would be fine as long as we keep tucked away and behave. I explained what we do and that put his mind at rest. He's agreed to let 15 of us go down there from Friday 9th - Sunday11th of December 2005
So to cut a long story short. Does anyone fancy a meet-up for some Christmas bushcraft and some Christmas cheer round the campfire in the evenings.
For those who havn't been there........It's a cracking llittle campsite in Widecombe valley about 1.5 miles S of Widecombe in the moor. Cost is £2.50 per person per night. We ARE allowed fires and there's a delightful little stream running through it. The chap told me the water should be on still in the shower/toilet block (depends on frosts) but the stream will provide if not. and best of all we'll have the place to ourselves. There's beautiful woodland all around and really lovely spot. There's also a lovely old village pub in Widecombe village which is a half hour walk going, and your guess is as good as mine coming back. The last time we went we all really enjoyed it.
So who's interested in getting away from the Christmas hussle for a weekend?
I will be happy to do a communal stew and dumplings on the camp fire in my extremely large cooking pot if everyone is up for that on the Saturday night (£1 donation for ingredients please.) (Which I'll get and bring down with me) if not, cook your own. I'm also happy to do a bowdrill workshop for those who want to learn this skill and maybe some navigation too. If anyone else would like to teach something or do a workshop that would be great - offers please.
I think that's pretty much all the details, but if you've got any questions please ask. As mentioned we'll have to stick to 15 people as that's what was agreed with the owner.
Cheers
arctic hobo
02-10-2005, 14:13
Sounds blemmin brilliant. Count me in :D :D
Barring anything unforseen I'll be there:)
bikething
02-10-2005, 16:59
If I'm not on the Woodland Survival Crafts winter course, I'll be there :)
Steve
The Joker
02-10-2005, 17:24
my wedding aniversary on the 12 (if im allowed) count me in.
I'll be able to meet up with some you then.
Pete :)
I'd love too but am already booked up that weekend :( :(
I expect to see excellent photo's and lengthy reports to ensure that I feel as sick as a pig for not going.
David
jdlenton
03-10-2005, 16:05
I'd like to come allong will run it past SWMBO
James
That should be the last week of Uni for me so we should be there.
Hope you're well
Matt
i'd love to come but reckon i'll freeze my nats off :D
Not sure i have the right equipment for winter camping?
Do you reckon i would survive with:
Tent
Sleeping mat, highlander air filled jobbie
Nanok 0c - Could probably put another 1 season bag inside if that would be better
Blanket
Warm Clothes, hat, gloves
Boots and warm socks :D
Would a tent be better than a hammock and tarp in the winter?
Communial Stew sounds delightful :D
arctic hobo
03-10-2005, 23:06
You should be fine in that matey, if it gets very bad just throw a wool blanket over you and sleep by the fire ;)
C_Claycomb
04-10-2005, 13:32
I don't suppose that the beautiful surrounding woodland is available for hammock hanging?
Tents and pole bashas only?
Super, count me in then if thats ok :D
arctic hobo
04-10-2005, 16:39
I don't suppose that the beautiful surrounding woodland is available for hammock hanging?
Tents and pole bashas only?
'tis, there's a beautiful bit of woodland right next to the site, but it's private :(
So tents and pole bashas unless you're super-stealth and a bit illegal ;)
greg2935
04-10-2005, 16:59
Count me in, I should be free that weekend.
I'll try to get along, its the busiest time of year for me, working weekends is a real bummer.
Neil :(
Id love to come along if the w/end is free (i mean if Im free not the campsite)
Falling Rain.
I should be there. Will your mate be down for a brew?
'tis, there's a beautiful bit of woodland right next to the site, but it's private :(
Does that mean that firewood needs to be found elsewhere or does it have to be purchased? :eek:
There is normally enough wood to be found locally for our needs.
The farmer is used to people having fires and leaves any surplus wood for campers use.
I shall bring some with me as well.
arctic hobo
05-10-2005, 16:28
Does that mean that firewood needs to be found elsewhere or does it have to be purchased? :eek:
It didn't stop us last time ;)
Standing dead wood is no good to them anyway :)
falling rain
07-10-2005, 13:39
I don't suppose that the beautiful surrounding woodland is available for hammock hanging?
Tents and pole bashas only?
You could probably get away with a hammock across the other side of the stream as there are trees there but you may end up getting a visit from Daisy, Ermintrude, Buttercup and Co. (Plenty of scope for a few jokes there!!!)
Wayne - I hope Tom will be able to make it down for a brew if I can get hold of him.
Firewood is not a problem we can cross the little stream and gather from there. I was there a few weeks ago and there is a fairly large Ash tree down on the deck which I used a bit of for my cooking fire. If people do want some stew on the saturday night I'll need to know how many so I can get the ingredients. If anyone wants to do a workshop don't be shy. As mentioned I'll do a Bow drill workshop. I'll supply the drills and hearths or you can bring your own. I'll have enough either way.
Really looking forward to it, and catching up with a few old faces and meeting some new ones.
I think this is a great idea, and if I can make it I will.
Shall I contact Jakunen or has someone done this already?
So whats the deal in terms of payment etc. Is it pay in advance or "on the night" (so to speak)?
Also just out of interest - how far from the camp are the cars? I'm guessing that the ground could be pretty wet so is there somewhere suitable to put a non 4x4,if not is anyone taking a 4x4 that could pull us out the mud if need be :D LOL
Really looking forward to this - will be great to meet up with a few peeps down here.
falling rain
07-10-2005, 15:49
We can all pay the chap who owns the site when we arrive. He lives in the farmhouse nearby. (£2.50 per person per night)The track is a gravel one and ther are no problems at all with boggy ground. I havn't got a 4X4 either. The ground is fairly solid and is mainly granite and very flat, and you can park right next to your tent. As already mentioned tents are advisable.
Super - thanks for confirming that.
Look forward to meeting you all :D
Hi there !! I managed to miss the earlier meet there but I've visited the site recently as im in the area..I would love to come along...is there space for another one ? Sory I read the first post and immediatly hopped to make a reply lol.
Boooshpig
Hi falling rain, whats the count on this at the moment, as my big bruv would like to come too- he can be very well behaved if kept on lease and not given any booze, sharp objects or incendary devices. :rolleyes: :o
Cheers.
falling rain
30-10-2005, 16:03
posted the reply here insted of this weekends meetup thread to save confusion
Glad you all had a good time Leon. Did you have the place pretty much to yourselves?
We should have it totally to ourselves in December. The chap who owns it is a really nice bloke :You_Rock_ so how about we chip in and get him a bottle of Christmas cheer ;) I was chatting to him last time I was down there and he has angina so maybe it would be a nice gesture at Christmas. He's doing us a big favour by letting us stay there out of season after all. We can have a chat about it when were down there if you like.
Another idea if people fancy it is we could take a trip down to Exmouth :drive: on the Saturday for some longline fishing and gather some winkles, limpets, mussels and razor fish. If we catch some flounder we could have a bit of beach barbie. and then back to Dartmoor for the campfire and evening stew and a couple of :beerchug: If people are interested in this I'll run up a list of what to bring for the fishing. We can dig lug and rag worm for bait and use a handline (crabline)
It will depend on the tide times though as we have to let it come in and go out again and the days will be short. Anyway just a thought. I lived in Exmouth as a child so know the area well. Really looking forward to it and catching up with everyone.
It was a really good weekend and the whole site was more or less empty apart from people clad in green carrying axes:D
The Exmouth idea sounds good as well Nick so I would be up for it.
I wouldn't mind chipping in for some Xmas cheer for the guy that runs the site (he took a bit of a tumble last night and got a cut above his eye), with the farm eggs, currently the pumpkins that he sells he is quite a nice old character and with the site costs so little to stay at it would almost be rude not to:)
outdoorgirl
30-10-2005, 16:55
If we're free that weekend we could be up for it - are dogs allowed on site? (We have a small terrier, she's quiet and calm... ..well, most of the time)
Not sure that we could provide a workshop, unless anyone wants to bring some game - we can show people how to pluck, skin, dress, joint etc. :)
We'd definitely be up for the fishing trip though (assuming we can actually make the weekend)...
ODG
falling rain
30-10-2005, 17:00
Hi falling rain, whats the count on this at the moment, as my big bruv would like to come too- he can be very well behaved if kept on lease and not given any booze, sharp objects or incendary devices. :rolleyes: :o
Cheers.
Sorry Andyn I missed your post.
I havn't done a count up yet as such, but I think around 6 - ish so your big bruv is welcome of course.
Actually about the fishing we could go to Powderham as it's shorter to reach than Exmouth from Dartmoor, and the channel runs deeper there, and that's were all those flounder 'll be (hopefully). another idea is to dig a hanghi on the beach and cook a slab of meat while we're waiting for the tide to go back out if people fancy that? there'll be no problem to have the brew fire on the go on the beach while we're waiting too.
I'm going to check the tide times and moon and will post back shortly
Sounds excellent, No problem my end chipping in for something for the owner.
Only probelm is...and im almost embarrased to say it is that I have never done any fishing other than once when i was about 9. So i don't have any fishing gear (other than a small "emegancy kit" that came in a survival kit) or knowledge of what to do :o :( But i'd be more than happy to come watch you guys fish and i'll keep the fire burning and play with some flint or do some carving or something :D
Looking forward to coming down and meeting you all.
falling rain
30-10-2005, 17:40
The moon will be in the first quarter so it'll be a low tide. Couldn't find any info on tide times for December in the Exe estuary as they usually give out for up to the next week or so. We can still do the longlining but it'll maybe mean we catch less or nothing at all but that's fishing.
Outdoor girl. Yes dogs are allowed. I'll probably be taking my Whippets (excellent hot water bottles in winter :D )
Count up so far is
Arctic hobo,Bushpig, Andyn and big bruv, Leon 1, Neil 1, Greg 2935, Outdoor girl, bikething,clipper,jdlenton,lit hril,nick g,Wayne,Womble,falling rain
Hope I didn't miss anyone and not everyone has definately confirmed
falling rain
30-10-2005, 17:47
Sounds excellent, No problem my end chipping in for something for the owner.
Only probelm is...and im almost embarrased to say it is that I have never done any fishing other than once when i was about 9. So i don't have any fishing gear (other than a small "emegancy kit" that came in a survival kit) or knowledge of what to do :o :( But i'd be more than happy to come watch you guys fish and i'll keep the fire burning and play with some flint or do some carving or something :D
Looking forward to coming down and meeting you all.
Don't worry about that andyn. that's why we do these things to have a social time and share knowledge. I've fished most of my life so if I show you some fishing maybe you can show me some stuff with the flint you mentioned.
I've got loads of hooks and braid/nylon so just get yourself a crabline and we're away. Crablines are only a few quid
Super, will pop into town and try and find one.
I'm still learning flint knapping but will happily show you want i can and bring a few flakes and maybe a big chunk of flint (if i can get hold of a decent peice) and you can try pressure and percussion flaking :)
falling rain
30-10-2005, 18:17
Excellent. Sounds like we got ourselves a deal :You_Rock_
There'll be plenty of time sitting around waiting for the tide to go out fully so we'll have time to do lots of stuff. We can get the brew fire going for a start As mentioned earlier I'm going to do a Bow drill workshop for those who want to learn it. May as well do it on the beach. I know many of those who've replied so far can already do bowdrill and it'll be interesting to share views on techniques etc, Also the hanghi, collecting the shell fish and cooking them will keep us busy. A bit on flint knapping will go down a storm andyn. I'm a novice at this so thanks for offering........
Of course we don't have to do any of these things I was just trying to put some structure to the weekend, so as long as everyone is up for it?...............
is there room for one more, I'd love to come :D
The Joker
31-10-2005, 19:33
After a bril weekend with everyone in Dartmoor this weekend, I think I might invest in a tent for this one :lmao:
Sorry Andyn I missed your post.
I havn't done a count up yet as such, but I think around 6 - ish so your big bruv is welcome of course.
Actually about the fishing we could go to Powderham as it's shorter to reach than Exmouth from Dartmoor, and the channel runs deeper there, and that's were all those flounder 'll be (hopefully). another idea is to dig a hanghi on the beach and cook a slab of meat while we're waiting for the tide to go back out if people fancy that? there'll be no problem to have the brew fire on the go on the beach while we're waiting too.
I'm going to check the tide times and moon and will post back shortly
Hi Falling rain.......After such a good time at this Dartmoor meet, please count me in for this one............Thanks......... ...........Jon
Falling rain, if there is a 15 person limit on this and there are more people wanting to go than that please remove my bruv from list as it should obviously be open to BCUK first. Just thought i'd offer that rather than anyone miss out.
Cheers.
Only 6 weeks now WOOHOO.
Falling rain, if there is a 15 person limit on this and there are more people wanting to go than that please remove my bruv from list as it should obviously be open to BCUK first. Just thought i'd offer that rather than anyone miss out.
Cheers.
Only 6 weeks now WOOHOO.
Hi andyn
you and your bruv got in first mate thats not a problem for me, there's always another meet, :)
Well like everyone said it was a great meet the other day and if I am able would love to join you guys again on dartmoor. The fishing idea sounds great and I would be well up for that.
If the meet is full and there is no places left not to fear.
I have a car and I live local so I would be able to pop up to catch up with you guys again at least and proberly join you on the beach trip.
nettles
Oh for the fishing trip will nettle cordage work with thorns or may be we could try it out???
ohh naturel...
nettles
falling rain
03-11-2005, 19:54
There's been a lot of interest for this meet-up so I'm going to give the chap a call again and see if he's OK with a few more of us going. I said 15 originally because he asked me how many I expected to come down and I said I guessed around 15 which he agreed to. I didn't realise so many would want to come along. Leave it with me and and I'll post again after I've contacted him
falling rain
05-11-2005, 10:13
Righty.
I called the chap at the campsite again and he's fine with more people coming down, but he re-itterated that we should tuck ourselves down in the corner and please be as unobtrusive as possible. I assured him we're all sensible folk and there will be no problems.......... so everyone welcome. :D As usual with these things some folks can't make it as the time gets near, but those who can it should be good.
The Joker
05-11-2005, 10:19
Righty.
I called the chap at the campsite again and he's fine with more people coming down, but he re-itterated that we should tuck ourselves down in the corner and please be as unobtrusive as possible. I assured him we're all sensible folk and there will be no problems.......... so everyone welcome. :D As usual with these things some folks can't make it as the time gets near, but those who can it should be good.
Looks like Christmas has come early :D well done :You_Rock_
falling rain
26-11-2005, 20:52
Unfortunately I'm no longer able to make the meet-up. My son is running in a X-country competition in Nottinghamshire on the 10th December and needs me to drive him there :( so parental duty has put the mockers on this one for me I'm afraid. :censored:
It's all agreed with the owner though, so if people still want to go down I'm sure there won't be a problem. It's just me that can't make it. My lad takes his running very seriously and I can't let him down. Sorry folks :(
I hope you all have a good time and I'm hoping we can have another one down there in the new year.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post phone numbers on here or not, even though it's a campsite number but if someone wants to take over the mantle I'll happily PM the number for the campsite
On the same sad note i will not be able to make this meet.
Hope you all have a great time that can make it.
Falling Rain hope your son does well in the race.
falling rain
27-11-2005, 08:38
On the same sad note i will not be able to make this meet.
Hope you all have a great time that can make it.
Falling Rain hope your son does well in the race.
Thanks very much Wayne. I'm sure he will. I'll pass your wishes on. He remembers you from the last Dartmoor meet we went on, (talking martial arts)and is still very much into his Ju Jitsu too He's a very good X-country runner and runs for the county and really loves competition and getting filthy ..............That's my boy :beerchug:
Whats the head count on people still going? Don't want to turn up and find out im the only one there! :lmao:
The Joker
28-11-2005, 20:26
I cant make it, :( but it been touch and go as its my wedding anniversary.
Next time :)
I'll be there..........Jon
greg2935
28-11-2005, 23:29
I won't be there I'm sorry to say, have too much work related stuff to do, hope you all have a good time
Greg
Hiya
I'm sorry to say that I'm not coming either. :( I've got an event I'm going to the following weekend up in the midlands and would rather not be driving for both weekends. Also work committments mean that getting time off is currently proving... interesting (we've got a publication that needs a desperate final proof-reading before it goes to be laid out, and the deadline is next Friday...)
I'm really sorry Nick & co, and I hope you all have a really good time*!
John
*at least you know there'll be one less snore monster for the chorus...
Come on guys! A bit of enthusiasum here.
Is it only Jon and I still going?
Are we still going to all chip in for a bottle of christmas cheer for the guy whos letting us use his campsite?
Are we still going to go fishing somewhere?
We shouldnt let all of Nicks planning to go to waste!
My brother and I should both be there at about 11-12am on the Friday. Anyone else going to be around then???
I'm going, missed the last one so can't wait. Roll on next weekend, just need to make sure that I have all my lessons planned for the following week.
Ur Lith... it's this coming weekend isn't it? ie... now?
EDIT - no, you're right it's next weekend.
Can we get a final head count of definates for this weekend. Whos coming?
Me and my brother are definates.
I will be there and I can't wait................Jon
i'm going to send a PM message to everyone who originally said they were going - unless they have already said they aren't anymore.
arctic hobo
05-12-2005, 16:49
Argh... not going to be able to make it I'm afraid guys... sorry :(
Well, aside from the fact that Nick was supposed to be giving me and the family a lift...
I can't make it either now due to trying to get my partner's divorce sorted so we can get married.
Sorry folks.
We WILL be making the next one!!!!!!!!!!!!
bikething
05-12-2005, 20:46
Afraid I'll have to miss this one......
I'm off doing a winter bushcraft course with Dave Watson!
Maybe next time folks
Steve
As long as I can get there I have the time, so I wil be there.
Sorry to say the bacon hunter and i cant make this one , so your bacon should be safe !!
I will be doing my Kickboxing grading for my red belt .
Only a couple more and i can start competing !! :D
Pumbaa
Having just posted the other day to say that I will be there something has cropped up (computers will be the death of me I am sure) that cannot be avoided (not happy).
I will try and get there ASP, but may not get there now untill Saturday.
jdlenton
09-12-2005, 14:55
I can't make it either got to get the turkey for christmas dinner sorted and lots of other local food goodies hope you all have a good one
James
Well after all the initial interest, three of us (yes three of us) managed to get to the campsite, but were we detered from having fun........Oh no, we had a great time, the weather was superb with clear skys (no rain). It was cold at night, going down to minus 3, but we were kept warm with the home made mulled wine in us. We had some good walks including a night ramble through the woods and a trip to the top of a tor, and some good chatter by the fire. It was good to meet you Andy and Paul and thanks for a great weekend.............Jon
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2802/dsc01223large0xc.jpg
Getting the fire going with the frying pan tecnique.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9445/dsc01224large6ol.jpg
Getting the fire wood in.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1916/dsc01235large3en.jpg
Mulled wine by open fire, Mmmmmmmmmmmm
http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/9277/dsc01237large0mj.jpg
Keeping warm by the fire.
http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/3378/mrmoonlarge2hm.jpg
The moon was bright.
http://img349.imageshack.us/img349/5131/dsc01241large3nm.jpg
Freezing fog in the morning.
Glad you had a good time, AndyN is a top bloke.
Nice chair by the way ;)
The Joker
11-12-2005, 20:12
Spoke to Andy earlier, glad you had fun despite the poor turn out. I'll make up for it guys I'll throw one down my way. :D
Good to know you got home saftely Jon, was great to meet you, pictures looks excellent, the moon shot came out really well. If you drop me a PM with your address i'll send you a cd with all my shots on of the weekend.
As to the rest of you drop outs....neer neer neer...coz while you were all sat inside doing nothing we were having a great time.
As Jon said..we popped up to Haytor rocks and had a bit of a ramble around, night walk through the woods and general chatter throughout the weekend. Weather was especially kind to us and we were fortunate enough not to get even a spot of rain.
My bro and I both fell asleep around the fire last night and woke up close to 1am then had to stumble off to our cold sleeping bags. God knows why we didnt just stay there all night.
Anyway will host some of my pictures after a nice long bath :D
Andy from the images you look as if you had a good time.
I am amazed after reading through the thread seeing all the interest that only three of you had turned up.
Dartmoor is a stunning location.
Yeah it was dissapointing the turn-up, we were hoping to all chip in and get the guy that owns the place a nice bottle of something for christmas, but would have been quite an expensive "chip-in" between just the three of us. :rolleyes:
Anyway - here are some of my pics.
http://www.acc-systems.dsl.pipex.com/images/photos/myphotos/BCUK/DARTMOOR1.JPG
The breakfast fry-up
http://www.acc-systems.dsl.pipex.com/images/photos/myphotos/BCUK/DARTMOOR2.JPG
The rouge wood collection agency hard at work
http://www.acc-systems.dsl.pipex.com/images/photos/myphotos/BCUK/DARTMOOR3.JPG
On top of the world...Well 433 metres up, after some verbal debate with the GPS system
http://www.acc-systems.dsl.pipex.com/images/photos/myphotos/BCUK/DARTMOOR4.JPG
Jon demonstrating the sharpening power of the spyderco
http://www.acc-systems.dsl.pipex.com/images/photos/myphotos/BCUK/DARTMOOR5.JPG
The glory of a cold and misty morning. Beautiful
Glad you had a good one guys .
Would have loved to have been able to make it too .
There is allways next time
Pumbaa
Looks like you had a great time <cue muted muttering>.
Me, the missus and our kid WILL be at the next one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
That's two Dartmoor meets I've missed now...:cussing: :sulkoff: :sigh: :cussing: :sulkoff: :sigh: :cussing: :sulkoff: :sigh:
Guys my apologies, thing swent totally pearshaped for me at the last minute, I won't go into details, but it was serious enough that I would not even be able to visit family at the time.
The next time we have one I do hope to see you and Jon we will discuss cameras / Huntleys (possibly Sue and Barry) and the like for a while:D
Sorry guys, I had everything packed in the car ready to go, family issues stopped me coming down Friday night, then on Saturday the lock on the front door decided to self destruct so that needed replacing... which was going well until the door itself started falling apart! Needless to say I was rather miffed, and had to just unpack everything... gutted.
Glad you had a good time, its a fantastic location.
Hope you both managed to get things sorted.
Look forward to meeting you all next time.
Hope you both managed to get things sorted.
Look forward to meeting you all next time.
Thanks, I am still waiting to find out a final outcome, but hopefully it is sorted.
Have a good Xmas and hopefully see you next time:)
Fingers crossed for you leon.
Yup hope you have a good'un and take it easy.
Im sorry that it has taken me this long to put a post but this last month has been 1 problem after another and I wasnt even able to reply to the (Role-Call) I had so much on.
I wish I could of made it as it would of been exactly what I needed to take my mind off everything.
Please let me know if anything else is happening around this area and I just pray for a better month.
I hope that all goes well for you leon and that you are ok.
Nettles.