Sussex Bushcraft group meet for March: 24th/25th at Broadstone Warren

[monkey boy]

Thing is you cant please all the people all the time, if we start planning around each others diaries then we would never get a date set and the meets would never happen, we had a an informal discussion about the date of the next meet on Sunday morning and decided between those of us who were left, that the last weekend of March was the way to go for the next one, personally i think we should settle on a set weekend, like the last weekend of each month, if we do it that way, then people will always know the meet is the last weekend of each month and can plan around it if they want to be there, sure some of us have to work weekends (i do and i know some of you other guys do too) and if we have to work on the date of a meet and you miss it, then without being funny about it, it's tough luck, ive missed two meets already because of work commitments, but that's the way things go sometimes, id love to go to all of them, but it's just not going to happen.


Additional

As the Spring & Summer come ever closer of course, Broadstone is going to get busier, a lot busier, so if we can commit to a set weekend each month, we can book a pitch with them well in advance, perhaps book two or three months ahead, i dont know if that is possible? (Neumo/Neil do you know if that would be doable?), that way we can ensure we can get where we would prefer, im sure that would also significantly help Broadstone with their future planning as well, it's not so critical in the winter months, but during the summer, im sure booking well ahead would be most welcome and make the Broadstone staff's life a bit easier.

I agree here, its a great way to end the month aswell, like you said some times one can make it and some times one cant, but at least we all had a month notice to do are best.

[Kepis]

I agree here, its a great way to end the month aswell, like you said some times one can make it and some times one cant, but at least we all had a month notice to do are best.

Exactly, and like you say, it's something to look forward to at the end of each month.

[spandit]

I need to book time off 3 months in advance so last weekend of every month would suit me fine

[jackcbr]

I agree here, its a great way to end the month aswell,

I disagree, the last week of the month is a bad move for us office dwellers. That's payday week and then meeting all you guys with your nice knives and flash kit quickly leads to any spare cash disappearing

[Kepis]

I disagree, the last week of the month is a bad move for us office dwellers. That's payday week and then meeting all you guys with your nice knives and flash kit quickly leads to any spare cash disappearing

Damn, we've been found out

[spandit]

I disagree, the last week of the month is a bad move for us office dwellers

For those of you who don't know, this is Jack:

[Hugo]

Nice post Spike, just what we need.

[Neumo]

The meet is filling up nicely & it has only been a few days. Picking dates is hard & when we have tried to do it by voting you don't get a clear answer; last time all the votes were split evenly amongst 4 weekends. I like the idea of a fixed date as that makes it easier for everyone to plan & means we can book up a pitch months in advance if we want to. The campsite will be getting a lot busier as the Spring comes around, so booking early will be a good idea.

I have a map showing which pitches are already booked for this weekend, including D1E, so will put up a list of possible pitches soon.

[Simon H]

A fixed weekend date would be good for me too as I'm going to be busy on weekends this spring and summer so I could plan round a fixed date.

[9InchNinja]

Afternoon all - is this open to people further afield? I'm in Basingstoke. Not spent a night outside for ages!

[spandit]

Afternoon all - is this open to people further afield? I'm in Basingstoke. Not spent a night outside for ages!

No, sorry. Your family must have been in Sussex for at least 4 generations & you must know what a twitten is...

[9InchNinja]

you must know what a twitten is...

It's a path isn't it?

[spandit]

It's a path isn't it?

No, it's a portmanteau word for a stupid young cat

Well, he's passed the test, shall we let him in?

[9InchNinja]

No, it's a portmanteau word for a stupid young cat

I KNEW I shouldn't trust Wikipedia...

[spandit]

I KNEW I shouldn't trust Wikipedia...

You mean you cheated & looked it up? Shame on you... That's it then, barred for life (they might let you into West Sussex but what would be the point?)

[Kepis]

aye, us West Sussex Lads will welcome you the meets, people from Hampshire are not quite as strange as those from the East

[9InchNinja]

You mean you cheated & looked it up? Shame on you... That's it then, barred for life (they might let you into West Sussex but what would be the point?)

Indeed I did Sir! I'll bring cake to make up for my disgusting behavior

[9InchNinja]

aye, us West Sussex Lads will welcome you the meets, people from Hampshire are not quite as strange as those from the East

I'm not originally from Hampshire (been here since May). I'm from the Fens originally.

I'll get my coat

[Kepis]

I'm not originally from Hampshire (been here since May). I'm from the Fens originally.

I'll get my coat

Now that changes things - best bring cake

[Neumo]

Yes you are welcome to come along, especially if you bring cake. Everything you need to know should be in the OP but if you want to know more than just ask.

I found my old food smoker in a cupboard today, so will probably bring that along & I am toying with bringing my portable forge as well, if anyone wants to hit some hot metal.

[Kepis]

I am toying with bringing my portable forge as well, if anyone wants to hit some hot metal.

Yes please, not done that before

[monkey boy]

Yes you are welcome to come along, especially if you bring cake. Everything you need to know should be in the OP but if you want to know more than just ask.

I found my old food smoker in a cupboard today, so will probably bring that along & I am toying with bringing my portable forge as well, if anyone wants to hit some hot metal.

yes please do you know how to make steel strikers for flint and steel, if so can you please teach me, iI will bring my own files 

[Hugo]

Welcome Ninja mate be glad to see you at the meet up any time.
Neumo mate, a portable forge is just what we want, great.

[Neumo]

Sounds like hot metal it is. I have a small anvil that could be screwed to a tree stump and a few hammers, a pair of tongs etc.. so enough to get us going. I am not an expert as I have done a half day course & have played a few times in the garden. If you want to bring some bits of metal to try then that is good as I don't have any, but will get a few bits. Old files are good. I will have to dig it out & test that it all works as it has been a while. We will need some charcoal as well but I have half a bag that will get us going. Sounds like fun.

[Peter_t]

1 Neumo
2 Spandit (Friday night & possibly Saturday)
3 Kep + 2
4 Hugo -----I intend to stay this time as well.
5 monkey boy
6 simon H
7 widu13
8 Rockmonkey
9 peter_t
10

[Kepis]

Sounds like hot metal it is. I have a small anvil that could be screwed to a tree stump and a few hammers, a pair of tongs etc.. so enough to get us going. I am not an expert as I have done a half day course & have played a few times in the garden. If you want to bring some bits of metal to try then that is good as I don't have any, but will get a few bits. Old files are good. I will have to dig it out & test that it all works as it has been a while. We will need some charcoal as well but I have half a bag that will get us going. Sounds like fun.

Superb, really lookign forward to this, will see if i can rustle up some old files and the like from various sources.

[widu13]

JCs coming again. No need to forge anything, just a wave of the hand will sort anything out.

Now to feed the group out of two packets of tortilla wraps and 5 cans of sardines!

[spandit]

JC

Justin Collins?
Jarvis Cocker?
John Challis? (played Boycie on Only Fools & Horses)

Or this fellow?

[Neumo]

If people want to make strikers then we can do that. Chop up an old file into 3" of so lengths would be ideal. I might bring some mild steel lengths along so we can make pokers etc if I can find some cheap. It all comes in a bucket, so we can quench in water. Someone could try to make a knife if they wanted. It's all done at your own risk as usual...

[monkey boy]

If people want to make strikers then we can do that. Chop up an old file into 3" of so lengths would be ideal. I might bring some mild steel lengths along so we can make pokers etc if I can find some cheap. It all comes in a bucket, so we can quench in water. Someone could try to make a knife if they wanted. It's all done at your own risk as usual...

i will comming on the saturday again, so if it ok I would love to have a go at a striker  well excited about doing this.