Forgewood weekend (pic heavy)

[Fletching]

Hi Guys,

Just moved this from the 'invitation' post.

Nice place and can't recommend the place enough, we had a whole wood to ourselves and John and Pablo made us feel very welcome. Some of the BCUK guys are having a meet there this coming weekend (speak to Nova).

My primary reason for 'rushing' out at short notice was to give some of my new kit a shake-down (read get it dirty) and see how it performed.

Anyways, Ben, Ken and myself brought plenty of food (enough for a month in Ben's case!) and we always had a brew on the go.

Here's a few pics of the kit in situ, and a shot of Ben's breakfast which is nearly finished apart from the kidneys. Ooh, and a pic of flowers and a 'widowmaker' (there was a few around, which we pointed out to Pablo, who's going to take a look at 'em, nice chap.).

DD Travel on its first outing (with Tatonka tarp):

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5590088942_f2f13607bf.jpg

Hilleberg Akto got top marks. No condensation at all in the inner ten and plenty of room:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5590088816_f78f342381.jpg

Breakfast No1 nearly done. Boy, we ate a lot of beans!:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5589497549_612368e427.jpg

Kit bits:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5590088418_f3f407c30a.jpg

Ken's tent and tarp set-up (Ben said he'll post a pic of his Hammock set-up himself):

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5590088266_616d3ff271.jpg

The trees were just budding, but the flowers were out:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5590088130_2f528372af.jpg

A big widowmaker:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5589496841_808e2a078e.jpg

Details of forgewood here (http://www.forgewoodcamping.co.uk/index.html).

[Ben Casey]

I had a great time mate :) Are you putting the other pics up?

Lets see if this works :)

[GwersyllaCnau]

Looks great. And the pics are good too.

[paul standley]

Boy you guys looked settled in... was the kitchen sink just out of shot ?

[Martin]

So chuffed that you guys had a good time. Looks like the way the Cornish Contingent got together three years ago. We had that awkward first meet up at Woodland Valley and haven't looked back since. Long may the East Anglia Contingent flourish and may it be just one of many meets over that side of the country. :)

Martin

[Fletching]

Boy you guys looked settled in... was the kitchen sink just out of shot ?

I've got one of them fold-up ones but didn't take it (use it for a personal wash basin when camping with my girlfriend. I am civilised sometimes). Showed the guys the old 'ash-as-alkali' rinse and wipe method for pots and plates. :)

[Fletching]

Must point out that Ben brought along some cast iron 'crook end' rods - which he picked up for £1.69 each - which came in really useful. We considered putting the three together as a tripod but settled at having two set at different heights over the fire. Also brought some hook-ended chain along. The 3-in-one large billy set got a good seeing to as well, with the largest pan always on the go with hot water. Perfect set up for 2+ people.

Steve

[Ben Casey]

Must point out that Ben brought along some cast iron 'crook end' rods - which he picked up for £1.69 each - which came in really useful. We considered putting the three together as a tripod but settled at having two set at different heights over the fire. Also brought some hook-ended chain along. The 3-in-one large billy set got a good seeing to as well, with the largest pan always on the go with hot water. Perfect set up for 2+ people.

Steve

I have to say and take my hat of about the 'crook end' rods I got the idea from Mark on the Romford meet :) And I think we need to have some more East Country Contingent meetings :)

[JonnyP]

The flowers are lesser celandines. I have seen written that the young flowers can be used in salads, but as they are buttercup family I would be wary..

[Adam Savage]

Looks like you had a great time. I see a kelly kettle hanging in your shot Ben, did you borrow one or is that another one to go with the one you ordered? lol

[Ben Casey]

Looks like you had a great time. I see a kelly kettle hanging in your shot Ben, did you borrow one or is that another one to go with the one you ordered? lol

Na that one is Steves he has some great kit he brought it along to show :) Gonna test mine on the door step in the morning :)

[Realbark]

I think we need to have some more East Country Contingent meetings :)

Ill be up for some of that this year.

[Adam Savage]

Na that one is Steves he has some great kit he brought it along to show :) Gonna test mine on the door step in the morning :)

Cool. Remember, no filling it with petrol or jet fuel or cordite or anything else that goes bang, LOL

[Ben Casey]

Ill be up for some of that this year.

That would be great maybe we need to get a thread going for one?

[Adam Savage]

That would be great maybe we need to get a thread going for one?

count me in for some of that too. Might have to be a poncho, doss bag and trench set up, just to show them how its done lol

[Realbark]

That would be great maybe we need to get a thread going for one?

Sounds like a plan.

[paul standley]

Loving the Kelly Kettle... I know thou shall not covet another man's kit but they are really great pieces of kit... too heavy for backpacking but ideal for base camps.

[Ben Casey]

Ok i will go get one started and see what happens I will put it in the south east Section :)

[Fletching]

Loving the Kelly Kettle... I know thou shall not covet another man's kit but they are really great pieces of kit... too heavy for backpacking but ideal for base camps.

...there is the M-Kettle alternative for solo backpacking:

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?410-Kelly-Kettle-and-M-Kettle-Comparison

Not cheap but very well made. :)

Steve

[paul standley]

...there is the M-Kettle alternative for solo backpacking:

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?410-Kelly-Kettle-and-M-Kettle-Comparison

Not cheap but very well made. :)

Steve

Thanks Steve didn't know what the M-Kettle was although I had heard the name around. Very nice bit of kit, compact etc and I like that it can carry water which saves space elsewhere. Prices are not cheap (viewed as a skintcrafter) but never the less, very nice. Your review was great... I can see Martin is under some pressure to retain his Poshcrafter crown, I sense a new contender is amonst us...!

Paul.

[Fletching]

... I can see Martin is under some pressure to retain his Poshcrafter crown, I sense a new contender is amonst us...!

Paul.

...wait for it...and...