Ivan's big Dartmoor meet - the aftermath - probably pic heavy

[jonajuna]

well, home and fed, fresh cup of tea in a proper mug. not yet showered and still enjoying the aroma of woodsmoke and peat filtered water

will post our pics in due course but a very big thank you to Ivan, a great host with a lovely bit of land. we had great fun and reckon the same was had by all

highlight of the weekend other than the company and the wild woods would have to be watching Badger90 and the spoon meister Wayne nigh on killing themselves on the rope bridge assault course. cant wait to see the video and kill ourselves laughing again!

really hope Ivan enjoyed it as much as us If anyone else here is lucky enough to go and visit him, you wont be sad, look after him, a great guy

[Nova & Pinky]

Oh, and bushwhacker's jokes - the 'pretentious' and 'strawberry' ones in particular...

Going through my pics now so will post soon!

[savagebushcraft]

Oh, and bushwhacker's jokes - the 'pretentious' and 'strawberry' ones in particular...

Going through my pics now so will post soon!

He is a character isn't he lol

[savagebushcraft]

managed to get a couple photos this trip with my mobile (left the camera in the car all weekend)

Early sunday morning





Around midday sunday



And here are the links to the photos I got the weekend before the meet down there.

http://s1024.photobucket.com/albums/...20cut%20short/

http://s1024.photobucket.com/albums/...%20wonderland/

http://s1024.photobucket.com/albums/...20cut%20short/

[HHazeldean]

Is that the new DD Tarp in camo?

[savagebushcraft]

And the videos from my little trek onto the moors

http://www.youtube.com/user/crazysaint222?feature=mhum

[savagebushcraft]

Is that the new DD Tarp in camo?

It is, well spotted

[ex member mick sturbs]

Well hello everyone , That was good fun , it went better than i could have wished for , a couple of things , i tried to steal a little of everyones kit so they had to return ! but i only ended up with ,Adams paracord, a rust coloured welders glove , a regatta waterproof ( fits nice ) 4 potatoes, an empy cider brandy bottle ! thank goodness thats empty ! a bag full of cans and dave53's tarp cord still in situ , so not a bad haul . Now at least some of you have to return . On a serous note , thankyou everyone for coming , putting up with my fussing , awful catering and all tidying up so well , i have had to go up there today and mess it up a bit , leave no trace my bottom! talking of bottoms i have sent you all swabs for dna sampling to back up the letter to the Guiness Book Of Records ,regarding the pooh i found , its impressive and a small horse would have been proud of that !! i cant put into one post all of my thoughts , so i will be back to remind you of some of the more memorable moments . Ivan ...

[ex member mick sturbs]

Oh just bin the swabs when they arrive , my mistake it was a small horse !! silly me , i will at some point , when i have your undivided attention , give an Oscar speech with special thanks and mentions to some . I have asked for a tenner back from my met office mole as there were moments it spotted with rain and for that i apologise .

[ex member mick sturbs]

A special thanks to some of the unsung heroes that couldnt make it .. Vickyjs that big tent was invaluable and it only took four nearly grown men half an hour to erect !! very happy with the size and condition . and the little loo tent was great for the kids etc. Also the help behind the scenes by Badger , Ed , James and Andy , cheques are in the post !

[HHazeldean]

It is, well spotted

Is it good,I was thinking of getting but I didn't know if there is a better alternative in that kind of price range.

[ex member mick sturbs]

Not exactly thanks but special mentions ... Bushwhacker ( who by the way does in no way shape or form resemble a poacher ) Cider brandy ummm ! still reserving judgement but could listen to that man all night , sat next to him of course although up to 5 miles away with them bins's , and for his fruit related stories ! Pinky for his cat like qualities and swing management ( just a bit difficult to tell him and Nova apart ) dont think he will make the final of Masterchef though . Never actually seen a man run up atree barefoot .Freddyfish for his unflappable nature and invaluable help with computery things beyond the call of duty .Oh and his calming influence and millbank bag .And lastly in this segment , the swiss family robinson (sorry the jonajuna clan ) for showing how to go light with family in tow ! and being a lovely family . special thanks for finding Katies mobile !! and the wee drop of cactus juice ..

[Badger90]

I wondered where my jacket went....

Will do a write up later when I'm home, but thanks to all for a great weekend

[Bushwhacker]

Great to meet everybody and everybody was great. Much thanks to Ivan for being such a hospitable and entertaining host and Nova & Pinky for the lift. All the youngsters were fab and kept their parents in check.
It's an excellent site, quite sheltered but with the open moors on the doorstep and no disturbance from 'normal' people. You have enough space to either mix or be on your own and it's not somewhere that I would ever get bored with visiting.

I will be back to fill up that cider brandy bottle again Ivan so watch out!

Oh, and if Steve can get a soundtrack on THE video, then here it is ..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0_zzCLLRvE

[ex member mick sturbs]

Mentions in despatches , Jaysurfer for planning since Feb to go lighter than usual , Salad for anyone who cant think of a name (good reasoning behind that one !) dave 53 for being wonderfully patient and informative with Katie ( i have now lost my tarp hammock karabiners and paracord ) Emma87 for being rock hard , never under estimate the power of a woman !! ( similair comment applies to Joy ) Adam for winning longest traveller , and being there when ever you needed a hand ( and for the dvd mate oh and beer ! ) The children for being brill and having a cool time ! ( must move tent further from fire after watershed ! think they may have some new jokes ! ) Foxy for making sure i ate (yummy stew ) and mothering me as and when required .

[ex member mick sturbs]

Sorry there is more , SteveM for coming and chilling , sharing knowledge , advice and taking some fantastic photographs cant wait.. Andy Bruce for working his socks off ( he probably made them himself ) for discovering a neat little bushcraft spot , just a shame he couldnt stay for the lamb, after preparing the oven .

[Nova & Pinky]

Not exactly thanks but special mentions ... Bushwhacker ( who by the way does in no way shape or form resemble a poacher ) Cider brandy ummm ! still reserving judgement but could listen to that man all night , sat next to him of course although up to 5 miles away with them bins's , and for his fruit related stories !

Pretentious and strawberries come to mind, and ofc in his inimitable accent

Pinky for his cat like qualities and swing management ( just a bit difficult to tell him and Nova apart ) dont think he will make the final of Masterchef though . Never actually seen a man run up atree barefoot .

Think you might need your eyes testing Ivan - I'm the considerably shorter and wider of the two!
I also don't have a penchant for hanging myself upside-down from the swings!

[Badger90]

Ivan: ' let's keep the jokes moderate as we have impressionable ears present '



...............


Bushwhacker: ' I went to the doctors with a strawberry up my....'

[ex member mick sturbs]

Maybe the last bit , i doubt it , thanks to Mayobushcraft for the wood and use of the trailer. But a very special word for Badger volunteering to be first on the assault course , and doing a wonderful job , but !! what about mbiker !! sorry new name mr spoon , 2nd on the course with a time of 1.28 to beat , i honestly dont think i have laughed so much in my life , in the woods anyway , if that magical few minutes are not an internet sensation , i will show my @rse to the town hall steps , and to go further if that doesnt make youvebeenframed , i will eat my hat , i literally cannot wait , be warned it is not suitable for those with a weak bladder !! one of the funniest things i have ever seen , and all on film folks . By the way 2.24 i think but nobody could have topped that ... pleas when watching keep your keeboard out of the way tear damage is not covered by insurance !!

[Nova & Pinky]

Ivan: ' let's keep the jokes moderate as we have impressionable ears present '



...............


Bushwhacker: ' I went to the doctors with a strawberry up my....'

That still makes me giggle

[Steve M]

Absolutely top weekend. The kids loved it and it was great to meet a great group of new people.

Here are a few of mine on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevema...7626301301987/

Here is ... the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK7u1ZqLqno

[Nova & Pinky]

Some absolutely cracking pics there, Steve - and that video still has me laughing - just very glad there is no-one else sat by me at work right now!!

Will post ours tonight...

[ex member mick sturbs]

Thats brilliant Steve, still smiling ! cant wait until the next time , well done everybody , you cheered Dartmoor right up , first serious laughter and fun in that spot for about 30 years ! unless the wildlife have been secretly doing it behind our backs !! top top weekend .. Ivan ...

[morch]

Looks like a fantastic time was had by all. Great photos and the video is brilliant. Wish i was closer

atb

Dave

[skate]

Excellent video and some nice photos there. Glad I heeded the warning and had nothing in my mouth while watching. Looking forward to a return visit sometime soon.

[bojit]

That has to be the funniest video i have seen in a long time ! brilliant !!

Looks like you guys had a great weekend in a beautiful location !

Craig..........

[ex member mick sturbs]

Thanks for nice comments , of course it was all staged ! and it has cost a fortune to pay all of those actors to perform , but i am in trouble because one dopy so and so forgot his equity card , no doubt i will be sued, still " where theres blame theres a claim , no win no fee "

[jonajuna]

LOL, had us all laughing again

will be sharing the vid on facebook so my friends can see that i dont go away into the woods to play at being a freaky bunker digging survivalist, but rather cause its an excellent giggle in the big outdoors, away from the trappings of the "civilised" world

bar the video cameras, digicams, mobile phones in marshes and the occasional check of the weather on my pda :P

will be posting up our pics once flicker has sucked them up off the pc

thanks again Ivan (think i will say this a lot) and to everyone for making it an even more special place to spend a few days

[ex member mick sturbs]

LAST bit of serious stuff , really sorry for various reasons , and a 30sec somber moment for . Southey, Leon1, Radix Lecti , Neumo and Emma87's partner for not being able to laugh their socks off . But there will be another in honour of them ! Planning already !! Ivan...

[ex member mick sturbs]

Whoops nearly forgot sorry thread and idea starter Zarkwon .. apologies pal !