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Well to say things were busy would be something of an understatement.
I gave up counting after building the 44th den of the day and twice had to order out from the Rangers for more brash, branches and tea ( I didn't get 5 minutes in the whole day to get the kettle on.) with 1400 visitors to the country skills day there was a constant flow of volunteers eager to learn the fundamental skills of building the bestest, secretest coolest looking dens there are.
Well its a year already and after last years successful earth oven building and wilderness pizzas, I have been asked to return for the day to Arlington Court with some den building workshops.
Come along on the 1st of June and spend the day experiencing a whole range of country crafts and skills, explore the wilderness. Why not bring some pizzas and fire up the oven for yourself?
If last year was anything to go buy then Arlington's country skills show 2011 will be a full day out for any family.
After a late show of interest in introductory courses we have decided to run an additional course in September. The course will be run in the Arlington Court estate and is part of the Wild camping trial that we have initiated with the National Trust. Certifying attendees that complete the course to return to stay in the woods overnight for the next five years.
The course is a introduction to all the fundamental skills to start you on your way to being a fully fledged bushcrafter and although no two courses are ever the same will cover friction fire lighting, shelter building, wild foods, tracking and some rudimentary woodland crafts.
Attendees will leave the weekend with a good grounding and experience that should let them venture into the woods alone and spend a few nights in comfort enjoying the wilderness and honing their skills.
After the resounding success with Arlington courts oven I have been asked by a few visitors on the day whether I run Earth oven building courses.
Not something I thought would attract too many people however I did promise that if we could find a minimum of 6 people then we can run a one day course that will cover all you need to know on the basics of building an earth oven. So you can return home and start your own project in the back garden.
Yesterday was the opening day for National Trust Arlington Court Earth oven, and although we got off to a wobbly start its safe to say it was a great success and the start of a whole new era of pizza cooking in the woods.
I had arrived at 10 am to find that the oven was still quite damp after its soaking on Tuesday, every credit to the rangers/wardens who had done their utmost to dry it out, leaving parrafin burners and camping stoves gently heating it through all day Thursday. I decided to start a small fire in the oven asap and gently build it through the morning so we would be ready to cook pizzas for lunch.
It was a first for me to fire up such a damp oven so with the constant fear of seeing a large fissure streak through the top I slowly built up the fire and heat.
Well it started as a suggestion to Arlingtons head ranger and gone up the chain from there.
Whilst scouting new locations at the venue I mentioned how many people come on my courses then don't have a place to go and practice their new found skills. We spoke of the suspicions that some landowners have of anyone who might choose to spend free time smelling of wood smoke and avoiding power tools and other gadgetry. I suggested a dream I have had for a few years now, that once a person has proven themselves able to spend time in the wilds as a true woodsman, living by the leave no trace code then that should be somehow recognised and rewarded with a series of venues throughout the land where they are welcome to camp and practice bushcraft.
Wow!
Another busy week and I can barely contain myself after another visit to Arlington Court. Had a good walk round the outer parts of the estate with Murray the head ranger who was enthused by the opportunities that could lie ahead for WildPath and The National Trust.
Although as always the most exciting stuff can't yet be disclosed we have confirmed the dates for the drop in workshops that will be running in 2010.
These will be run by me for free and available to any visitors to the estate
Well Just in from a very productive Wander round the grounds of Arlington Court. And come home with a spring in my step and a big smile. After seeing my demonstrations at the sheepdog trial I have been invited to run the occasional bushcraft themed day for the National Trust.
We have already confirmed 3 dates for next year, and are currently looking at other opportunities for other events; including the potential of two or three day’s courses which will include overnight stays.
Though we took a short walk round a loop of the estate there is a possible 2700 acres of space to explore and host WildPath events. It truly is a venue perfect for Bushcraft courses and considering how difficult it is to find good venues in North Devon this one is something of a gem.
Well just in from a weekend at the sheepdog trials, where I was doing a few demonstrations and walks to show people the sorts of things that happen on a bushcraft course. It’s been my only show of the year for 2009, as I have been busy with all manner of projects . However it’s given me stacks of ideas and inspiration for some new courses in 2010.
