The weather forecast was shaping up well for a couple of days and over-night camping trip. The plan was mainly about the camping and some bush craft plus a few jobs. Some woodland friends (I shall refer to as R&L) were also hoping to stay over in their piece so I was looking forward to some company. For once the forecasters got it right and the sun was out and I pitched my tent as soon as I arrived. The flies and midges were nowhere near as abundant as last time in May which was good. I did some clearing around the camp area and ate my packed lunch. I wanted to have a go at making a pot hanger to go over the fire. I’d seen some guys on Youtube making one so while lunch settled, I set to collecting some suitable hazel rods and started whittling. It works well, height adjustable but I have to say, looks precarious as the hanger piece is suspended from the horizontal rod by a small point nestling in a small hole. A clumsy nudge and the pot will be in the fire and your dinner on the ground. Here it is in action with my billy can. This design does allow more access around the fire than a tripod one.
Pot hanger suspending my billy can over the fire
In the afternoon I felled three small trees that needed thinning out and met some new woodland owners who will be my neighbours on one side. They have two boys who are also interested in bushcraft and camping out. My friends R&L arrived early evening so I had a walk around to see them briefly then left them for a while to finish setting up their camp. I set off again later to spend the evening with them. As I walked down the ride with a bottle of red in hand, two thoughts crossed my mind. What an odd but very pleasant social event this was – sitting in the middle of a forest with friends and drinking wine as opposed the more usual venues of pubs and restaurants. Secondly, I hope I don’t mess up by tripping over the brambles and smashing my bottle. The evening was really enjoyable and we sat chatting about this and that until it got dark and I headed back to my place.
My new LED Lenser torch is amazingly bright. It was fascinating to see the woods in the dark, illuminated in this way, looking up and through the trees gives a totally different perspective. I decided to have a short walk through my patch as I will rarely see it in the dark and was hoping to spot some wildlife. Halfway down the ride I spotted a tawny owl. It was perched on a small horizontal branch about 20 feet high in a picture-perfect setting. If only I could have taken a photograph! As I shone my light on it, it briefly turned it’s head to see what was disturbing it’s peace and then as if to say “bugger off with the torch” it turned back and flew off. It was a real thrill to see my first owl in my woods.
Morning at my campsite, billy can on the boil for coffee
Sleep was a much better experience than my first camping trip in May, when I got about one hour’s sleep and felt dazed all day after. Knowing my friends were not far away seemed to help. It was a quiet night, very minimal bird song in the morning to disturb me and I emerged quite refreshed. It’s a fantastic experience for that first few minutes. You’ve laid in your cloth “bubble” all night under the illusion that this is your world. The woodland only exists in your mind and the sounds it produces. When you step out of your bubble, it’s like entering another universe. Your world suddenly expands from a small grey dome, to a riot of colour, shapes and textures. Your brain is bombarded with a natural beauty and a feeling of freedom and contentment follows. The sun was out – get the fire going, billy can on the boil and just sit and drink in the experience with your coffee in total peace. For me, it doesn’t get much better.
Mushy veg burgers, eggs and beans for breakfast
My friends were up early and called by. Their sleep experience less good than mine as their airbed deflated in the night! When they left I made breakfast – veggie-burgers which fell to mush, fried eggs and beans. I packed my tent away while the sun was out and it was nice and dry, by which time it was lunch. I picked some wild raspberries and added them to my bannock bread mix. I’m not very skilled at cooking this rough bread and have to say it looks rather like cooked vomit! I might give up on this particular recipe.
Wild raspberry bannock bread – not a success
l then spent most of the day chopping and stacking logs for seasoning before heading home again, tired but hugely satisfied. Thanks to R&L for your company, must do it again some time.
