They just dont get it.

[crosslandkelly]

I had a few pints with some pals at my local this evening, and conversation got round to the moot and bushcrafting/camping.
They could not understand how I could at 55, enjoy sleeping out under canvas in a field or woods instead of a nice clean, dry and warm hotel or b+b. Living in London I dont get the chance to get out into the countryside as much as i'd like, but I'm lucky enough to have a friend who has nearly 25 acres of land, who lets me use it to practice my bushcrafting.(He keeps horses.)
These are people who love walking/hiking holidays, but the thought of the least bit of discomfort, or god forbid fending for themselves, as in foraging or small game trapping, repels them. My parents took me camping from a young age, and I have loved it ever since. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy luxury as much as anyone, but there is nothing to beat laying under the stars on a clear night watching the flames of your fire while waiting for the water to boil for your last brew of the evening. Perhaps it's an urban thing, where ammenities are just around the corner, or is it something more primal, that I feel and my friends dont.
I wonder if anyone else has had similar conversations.

[Man of Tanith]

yup all the time
in fact one with someone just today as i walked to work
he was happily chatting away bout going to a campsite with his family looked horrified when i said i go camping but dont use a tent or stove etc

[Mesquite]

I wonder if anyone else has had similar conversations.

All the time at work... It's got to the point I don't bother trying to explain anymore

[Prawnster]

Only one of my friends gets it. Everyone else just scoffs and calls me a Bear Grylls wanna be.
The only thing I can put it down to is that they haven't really tried it and the 'idea of it' puts them off. As you say , what could be better than sitting around a campfire or sleeping under the stars? If they tried it with an open mind I'm sure they'd love it as much as I do.


Sent from my phone.

[southey]

Odd, any one I speak to gets really interested about the whole subject maybe it is my natural charisma

[multi]

Cant all domesticate to man made society as easily as others.
Only takes one indulgence and your behind door for life lol

[Man of Tanith]

Odd, any one I speak to gets really interested about the whole subject maybe it is my natural charisma

after initial lack of understanding i often get into a more in depth conversation about it but just in passing there is a definite look of fear in most folks eyes

natural charisma? its the shorts matey

[Bluebs4]

A few years back I was working on a building in Poole Dorset the RNLI and me and my work mates were lodging next to the speedway track and boy was it loud . Anyway the lads played up and we got kicked out and I was left to sort digs out , easy two 5 man tents from millits the lads did complain at first but to this day they all go on about the BBQ we had and the fishing trips , the clear sky's ......even to the point of being pi@@d and referring to the night sky as having the most stars they had ever seen ..... Rusty inches cider BBQ a couple of rollys on a nice summer evening , yep it's odd why would you. :0) ...prefer the rain myself .

[British Red]

Lots of people feel the need for ....simpler....challenges in life. Some don't like Bushcraft, they like their allotment, or making things, or sailing.

I think in a modern world when few of us get to build a future, support our families and improve our world directly - but only as a cog in a machine, a direct straightforward activity, with measurable results, appeals to many - just not always as playing in the woods. Many could wax just as lyrical about sailing alone on an ocean without land in sight, or making a meal with food they raised, or drinking from a mug they made themselves. So many simple things have a direct, personal satisfaction. Its great that we can all experience it in different ways

Red

[Perrari]

I have a few friends who at first thought I was mad wanting to sleep in the woods, but once I persuaded them to try it, they could understand the appeal. I cannot think of anything better than sitting round a fire with friends.

[Goosegog]

I just say it takes a bit of finesse to enjoy the finer things in life.

[SimonM]

I had a similar conversation last Friday, with my Assistant Headteacher...

"You going camping again this weekend?"

"Nope, but I am learning how to throw tomahawks so I can teach the Explorers"

"Are you not dangerous enough!" walks off, shaking head


Seriously tho, most people I come across are interested, they just don't want to do it themselves.

Simon

[crosslandkelly]

People are quite interested to hear about bushcrafting, but it seems only as an entertainment. The idea of moving out of their comfort zone and actually doing it, scares them. Thanks for your replies.

[Johnnyboy1971]

Some of my friends understand a little as we all go night fishing together so what we do is just an extension of that. Ok they use a folding bed and bivvy instead of a tarp and hammock, saying that the lads who tryied the hammock love it and ask me to bring it along through the summer so they can chill.

Yes they have gas stoves where i use meths but were not far apart.
I just recently had a ten night stay at the Northwood meet and im still trying to fit myself back in to living in the house, the most annoying is the damn TV and the fact i just flick a switch to boil water. Really wish i was back there but swmbo and the kids wont let me.

[monkey boy]

50/50 with me some people think im nuts and other think its great, i try to talk to the friend that also enjoy it

[Wayland]

The friends I have are all the sort of people that do "get" this kind of stuff.

I do have some acquaintances who wouldn't stay in anything less than a hotel though.

Each to their own.

[crosslandkelly]

At least your mates go out and fish overnight with you, Some people are'nt even prepared to even go that far. Maybe we're just a hardier breed, and as multi said,
not so domesticated. Oh well each to their own.

[georann]

Some I wouldn't expect to understand get it straight off but the ones you think would be interested just don't get the attraction!
Think I put one mate off it for life though- 1 nighter under bashas (his first), I had a great night, he pitched on top of a sunken tree stump and didn't realise till he went to bed.....

[crosslandkelly]

A friend of mine who wants to get it, is coming to the moot with me in August. He has never slept under canvas in his life, but surprised me when he phoned me this morning and said he would like to go. Maybe my spirited defence of the craft swayed him. Anyway I hope he enjoys the experience, and is not put off by it. I have plenty of kit he can borrow so he should be quite comfortable. Here's hoping.

[the interceptor boy]

Nice to hear from you mate, see you and your friend at the moot.
Cheers the interceptor boy

[rik_uk3]

Bushcraft is fun, its a nice hobby, so is golf but thats not for me, horses for courses as they say.

[Colin.W]

I think a lot of it is what you are brought up with. As a youngster my dad was not on a very good wage so our summer holidays were spent camping with very basic camping kit on low cost very basic sites ie a toilet block and if you were lucky a shower. A favorite site was near Hurley on Thames as they allowed open fires, we used to meet up with our aunts, uncles and cousins and spend most of the school summer holiday there. some of my best childhood memories are from there

[Bushwhacker]

I just do the stuff I do and that's that. I'm sure the people you refer to are the sort who have to do a 'big shop' on a Saturday and wash their cars on a Sunday. Why?
As in all walks of life there's lots of things I don't understand and never will, even on here!
Each to their own.