Woodlife

I’m continuing my account of the Bushmoot at Merthyr Mawr. The account in log form is taken from my hard copy journal.

0730 – Up, full wash, change of clothes and powder feet. Examined my site after last nights heavy rain. Pleased to report everything dry, except for underneath the reindeer skin on which I sleep in the hammock. Hammock is completely dry, so I can only think this is a bit of condensation. Some ground dwellers in tents have been flooded out. Together with the rogue car alarm last night, they must be pretty tired. I’m pleased that I decided on hammock and tarp. I’ve got into the habit of putting boots, cup, hat and other bits on sticks of wood. This keeps things from getting sandy or muddy. Breakfast is apple, banana and cereal bar with coffee.

1000 – Tony calls muster with the usual huge list of workshops. I decide to start with trapping.

1030 – We work with Andy again from Dryad Bushcraft. He’s a good instructor and very patient. I’ve not built any traps for years and I’m slow to catch on. We build a simple Peyote trap. I’m not sure that this would be too effective and consider that I would only ever use a trap except in an emergency situation. It’s still good to learn though. I would have to practice this more at a later date. I notice that nearly every instructor carries loads of ordinary string. Very handy stuff and cheaper than paracord.

1200 – I wander back to the site and on the way stop to look at the leatherwork workshop. There’s some good design stuff going on, mainly sheath making. I notice the number of specialist tools needed to carry out leather work. Again, this is something I’d like to get into. A good winter bushcraft skill (by the fire with a good port!)

1230 – Had a snack lunch and had a re-sort of my day bag. It’s a good canvas bag with water proof lining (called a Raider bag) with the ability to either carry on the shoulder or on your back. But I’ve got too much kit in it. I’ve noticed that many people have lots of kit on their belts. I’m not too keen on this as it makes the belt too heavy. I’ve taken my clipper knife out of the leather sheath and back into the plastic one. I’ve made a neck strap to accommodate this (a la Mors K). The knife is thus always handy. I can still clip it onto my belt if I want. Other tools I’ve put into the raider bag (folding saw, crook knife). I’ve also got a bottle of water, camera and binoculars. All other junk I’ve moved into my rucksack which sits propped up under the tarp. This feels much better, lighter and more comfortable.

1345 – I forgo the plant walk (there’s another one later) and take myself into the woods. I try to find the track that leads to the river, but I can’t find it. I decide not to go too far because of the plant walk. I cut a piece of sycamore (or is it hazel?) for a tracking stick. It’s ideal. Dead straight with a slight bend for the handle. I really must learn trees identification. In fact, I’ll ask someone to help me before I go. I replant an off cut in the hope that it will root. There’s a lot of movement in the area, so I decide to return to my area and carve the stick and finish my spoon.

1700 – Prepared fire and billy stand ready for tonight’s fire. Used axe for the first time. (Oh…didn’t I tell you I bought an Granfors small forest axe from Tony – saves postage, packing and delivery charges. That’s my excuse anyway). The axe is splendid and makes cutting and chopping tasks so much easier than using my 15 year old B&Q special!

1730 – Plant walk with Marcus from the Wild Food School. Amazingly interesting. I thought I knew about plants, but Marcus is excelling here. Marcus admits that many plants are very bitter and would only be used in a survival situation as BG (boiled greens). Ground Ivy and Borrage are good plants to utilise at the moment as well as some berries which are just beginning to ripen (including dew berry). The walk goes on for long while and I curse the fact that I’ve transferred my notebook to my rucksack. Typical!! I’ll have to rely on memory when I get back.

2000 – At last back to my area and I’m starving hungry. Too late now to make a fire. Good large meal of soup, sardines and beef pasta. Starts to rain lightly.

2130 – A walk around camp and chat with a couple of people around their fire. Rain drives people under their tarps.

2230 – Into hammock. Light rain helps the relaxation process. Very tired and soon off to sleep.

More next time and thanks for reading.