Woodlife

I thought I’d take a light walk in Lowt’s woods today. By light I mean minimal kit. As I’ve got a couple of days off, I’ll be experimenting with kit loads and kit lists and will post these soon. My minimal kit today just my shoulder bag containing folding saw; Frost clipper and firesteel (I don’t wear it on my belt in public places); binoculars; camera; 1 ltr water and nuts/raisons. I had my belt of course with a small possibles pouch. This contains the obligatory tinder; First aid kit (plasters, steri-strips, anticeptic wipes, paracetomol); toilet paper; swiss army knife and quick brew kit (2 tea bags; 2 sachets of sugar).

The object of the short excursion was to recce a suitable area for bushcrafting in this wood. The last time I visited the wood (see November 2005 post), I had just started thinking about bushcraft and I was stomping about like a small elephant! I was a little lighter on my feet this time. In fact so much so that I almost bumped into a Roe deer. It was slightly higher on a hill than me and started barking as soon as it spotted me. Needless to say I wasn’t light enough on my feet to follow it very far as it went further into the wood. My tracking skills aren’t that far advanced yet to follow it too far by that method either.

The deer did lead me into an area of the wood that I had not yet explored. There were some wonderful early bluebells in bloom. Another couple of weeks and the wood will be a mist of light blue.

I found a good bushcraft site, situated at the top of the hill but still well sheltered by some low evergreen bushes. I like to keep out of sight while being able to see as much as I can. A throwback to a previous profession! I also like to have my back to a any hills or small rises and any wind. Needless to say, it takes me a while to find a really good site. Take into account tree space for hammock slinging (my preferred sleep system) and local resources like wood and tinder and usually I’m starting to struggle. I bring my own water, as there’s no flowing streams or other good water resources in the area, so that really isn’t a problem. This does tend to make the carry weight for an overnight stay quite heavy. This site, although not perfect, fitted most of the criteria.

I spent a good half an hour in my new site soaking up the atmosphere and listening to the wood. All too soon it was time to go again. As I walked back to the van I contemplated how good it was to have my light walking boots on after months of wearing rubber boots (wellies) and how absolutely soaking my feet were getting because it was raining!