Bushcraft, survival and wilderness skills courses

I get used to strange looks from passers by when I'm out on dog walks, I can see the puzzled faces struggling to make sense of what I must be  so intrigued by a bit of dirt, smelling a stick or eating strange weeds. Sometimes they ask but often they wander by with a wry giggle or smile.

This morning was just such one of those occasions as Hobbes and I did our morning tour of Kipling Tor. I was filling a bag with what must have at first looked like blackberries but as the walkers got a little closer they just gawked as I grabbed a handfull of fireweed seed pods causing an explosion of downy seeds to blow over them.

The fireweed is starting to seed and I am making the most of the opportunity to gather the downy seeds for use in fire making for the rest of the year.
But its not just the seeds that have a use.

Well it has been a busy few days and a long time since I sat in front of a computer, all for good reason and Im back to report on the most recent event, building an earth oven at Arlington Court.

There is not a great deal to building an earth oven and I think its the sort of thing everyone should get involved with once in their lives, there is a real sense of achievement when you get the first whiff of cooking bread and pizza and even with the odd gritty bit there's no taste like a true al fresco meal. home baked in the great outdoors. They can be built as a temporary bushcraft project or with a little thought and planning something a little more permanent that can sit next to the barbecue for years to come.

This is one of my favourite recipes to cook for vege. friends who want a wild food dinner and would probably be my first choice if I was forced to host an episode of come dine with me. Tasty and filling it looks great on the plate and there is always something a little daring about the concept of eating stinging nettles.

As a rule I serve it with a couple of salads or new potatoes and a warm tomato sauce but its versatile enough that you have plenty of other options to experiment with.

Like my Cat nettles don't like being stroked the wrong way but with a little care in handling its easy to gather nettles without gloves and still not get stung. Remember the stings grow pointing upwards and outwards so to pull in the direction of sting growth  means that the tips can't penetrate and break which is what gives that painful effect that we have all experienced

I should point out in the photo the white flower is three cornered leek a slightly milder wild Garlic

Meanwhile back in the kitchen...........

What a perfect Day for a introductory wild food foray into the wilder side of  Arlington Court, a National Trust venue just outside Barnstaple North Devon. On the day I was running regular walks following their wilderness trail and pointing out some of the more popular wild foods and throwing in ( I just can't seem to help myself.) the occasional bushcraft tip, and recipe.

Feedback so far has been very positive and it looks like there will be similar events going on throughout the summer so please check their website for more details.

A few of my fellow foragers on the day asked for some recipes and a book list so over the next few weeks Im hoping to add some of my favourites here and would suggest you experiment for yourselves as your wild food recognition improves.

First off, I cannot emphasise too much that you must be 100% positive of your plant identification before you do anything with a wild plant. 99% sure is not good enough so before the recipes a few of the books and other resources that I use include:

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.

Noticed on this mornings walk that there is a second coming of Hedge Garlic AKA Jack By The Hedge or garlic mustard. One of the three garlics that we have to use over here. As with the other two (Ramsons and three cornered leek) it has a very subtle flavour that doesn't stand up well to much cooking.

Not a full guide to the plant That is still in the making, however out today and picked a handful of these to top up my jar at home. And please be sure to note the warning at the bottom of the full blog.