Well this is a meet that's been on the cards for a while, I believe it was organised by Squiffy.
Craig has been freinds with some of these folks for a while others he has met through Facebook a couple of things had been organised for the Saturday other than that it was a chance to meet up an hang out with some like minded people.
The address for the camp had changed to a woodland owned by Dave Watson, this was great for Craig and I as it was 45 mins closer, we left early and we arrived at the woodland at 14.30, said hello to a the guys that had arrived unpacked the event shelter and set up hammocks.
Craig showed me around the woodland after, mainly made up of birch it's a stunning well managed woodland with a large craft area by a huge roundhouse, his n hers composting toilet and an outside urinal reminiscent of the old fashioned french toilets, a second fire are with spacd enough for several large tents and debris shelters dotted around the place, some 10 years old.
Night came in quote quickly and everyone settled into the big roundhouse, obviously lots of politically correct banter interspersed with a few grown up conversations were had.
During this time people ate dinner, with most folks cooking for themselves, and folks started turning in from 21.00 although some of us stayed up 'really late'.
For some the Saturday started at stupid o'clock, not me though 07.00ish was about right, I had been warm and comfy in my hammock, I checked with some of the other folks and it had been a mixed bag of sleep, some folks had been cold but almost everyone stayed dry except one fella who's hammock material appeared not to be breathable and woke rather damp.
After a coffee and breakfast Dave Watson went over the camp rules, and then had a wander around with a couple of guys he was mentoring he went over some of the fungi that he knew about in his woodland, I was lucky enough to tag along for some of this, when everyone was collected back together we were given an excellent demo of skinning a Muntjac Deer by David Mccrae, after this myself and a few other guys prepped the stew for the evening adding a variety of colourful veg.
Craig did a demonstration on friction fire lighting, that appeared to be very successful with everyone who tried actually getting a decent ember/coal.
I then spent the rest of the evening flitting between carving with Carl who was generous enough to have brought some willow for anyone who wanted some and Zarla who had also brought along some rabbits that had also gone into the stew and eggs, and I also kept dinner going.
About 2 hours after everyone started asking how long food would take it was ready, and I am pleased to say there was enough to go around all 20+ people (although it would have been a bonus if seconds had been available).
Again the evening was spent around the fire chatting.
On the Sunday morning coffee and a huge cooked breakfast were in order, then we had a look a some knives that were made by Hackett of Sherwood they were of excellent quality.
It was then time to break camp and say goodbye to some of these fine folks.
Craig and I were amongst the last to leave.
On the way home we chatted about some of the things we had taken away with us other than some new friends, we also had an invite to Scotland with David and another back to Dave's for some helping out work and had some new ideas for future Black Wolf courses.
All in all a cracking weekend.
(I'm aware I probably missed lots that happened and did not mention everyone who attended or even everyone I spoke too, it's not personal)
