Throughout the year Woodlife Trails attends a number of Outdoor shows.

Our talks, demonstrations, activities and hands-on exhibits mainly centre on nature, wildlife and tracking (feeding signs, plaster casts, skulls, bones and scat) and how to get closer to woodland and forest inhabitants using bushcraft, tracking and field-craft techniques. We also talk about Bushcraft and the Law.

Our interactive demonstrations include: friction fire-lighting, knife-safety, carving techniques, spoon carving, introduction to tracking (using a "spoor-pit") plaster casts, field-craft and natural camouflage techniques. The demos are fun and aimed at people of all ages.

__________________________________________________

In 2012 we will be attending the following shows:

The Bushcraft Show - 2- 4 June

Guest Speaker Pablo "How close do you want to go? - Getting closer to wildlife"

Demonstrations: Wildlife, tracking, plaster casts & natural camouflage

__________________________________________________

Naturefest - 28th - 30th May

Demonstrations: Wildlife, tracking, plaster casts & natural camouflage

___________________________________________________

Wilderness Gathering - 18th - 21st August

Guest speaker Pablo - "Buscraft and the Law"

Demonstrations: Spoon Carving and tracking techniques

___________________________________________________

We also attended the annual Scouts reunion and a couple of county shows. Please see Events Calendar for 2012 dates.

If you would like to book us for your show or event, please use the Enquiry form on the Contact page. Thanks.

Throughout the year Woodlife Trails attends a number of Outdoor shows.

Our talks, demonstrations, activities and hands-on exhibits mainly centre on nature, wildlife and tracking (feeding signs, plaster casts, skulls, bones and scat) and how to get closer to woodland and forest inhabitants using bushcraft, tracking and field-craft techniques. We also talk about Bushcraft and the Law.

Our interactive demonstrations include: friction fire-lighting, knife-safety, carving techniques, spoon carving, introduction to tracking (using a "spoor-pit") plaster casts, field-craft and natural camouflage techniques. The demos are fun and aimed at people of all ages.

__________________________________________________

In 2012 we will be attending the following shows:

The Bushcraft Show - 2- 4 June

Guest Speaker Pablo "How close do you want to go? - Getting closer to wildlife"

Demonstrations: Wildlife, tracking, plaster casts & natural camouflage

__________________________________________________

Naturefest - 28th - 30th May

Demonstrations: Wildlife, tracking, plaster casts & natural camouflage

___________________________________________________

Wilderness Gathering - 18th - 21st August

Guest speaker Pablo - "Buscraft and the Law"

Demonstrations: Spoon Carving and tracking techniques

___________________________________________________

We also attended the annual Scouts reunion and a couple of county shows. Please see Events Calendar for 2012 dates.

If you would like to book us for your show or event, please use the Enquiry form on the Contact page. Thanks.

Outbackers Meet

No one could ever accuse the Essex Outbacks crew of not living well in the woods! Even as I arrived on Saturday morning there was two stews on the way and soon, a bread mix was being baked in a dutch oven.

The day was bright and sunny but the westerly wind made it chilly.

It was hard to believe that two weeks ago there was snow covering the woodland floor. Now there were sign of spring everywhere with bluebells pushing up through the ground.

Richard had a go at making a Dakota fire-pit. It turned out well and a couple of sausages were successfully cooked .

Innovation is never too far away where the Essex Outbackers are concerned. Even empty tin cans were recycled into our version of BT. Errrr… Bush Telegraph that is!

I don’t think Scrivy’s mobile version will catch on.

I continued ground dwelling for the winter and I must admit, I’m getting used to it now after many years of tree dwelling. The Exped down mat helps. The temperature plummeted to minus 5 C during Saturday night, and I was snug as a bug in a Snugpak bivvy!

The magnificent stew was mopped up with Paul L’s superb bread and another successful Outback’s meal went into the recipe book.

It was great once again to meet up with the Essex Outbacks group and see friends old and new. Hope the next one comes around soon.

Outbackers Meet

No one could ever accuse the Essex Outbacks crew of not living well in the woods! Even as I arrived on Saturday morning there was two stews on the way and soon, a bread mix was being baked in a dutch oven.

The day was bright and sunny but the westerly wind made it chilly.

It was hard to believe that two weeks ago there was snow covering the woodland floor. Now there were sign of spring everywhere with bluebells pushing up through the ground.

Richard had a go at making a Dakota fire-pit. It turned out well and a couple of sausages were successfully cooked .

Innovation is never too far away where the Essex Outbackers are concerned. Even empty tin cans were recycled into our version of BT. Errrr… Bush Telegraph that is!

I don’t think Scrivy’s mobile version will catch on.

I continued ground dwelling for the winter and I must admit, I’m getting used to it now after many years of tree dwelling. The Exped down mat helps. The temperature plummeted to minus 5 C during Saturday night, and I was snug as a bug in a Snugpak bivvy!

The magnificent stew was mopped up with Paul L’s superb bread and another successful Outback’s meal went into the recipe book.

It was great once again to meet up with the Essex Outbacks group and see friends old and new. Hope the next one comes around soon.

kitlist

Suggested Kit List (Weekend)

Carry

· Rucksack – Between 45 – 70 litres - Army surplus is fine

(Try not to have lots of separate bags – Base camp is about 600 meters from the car park)

Sleep

· Sleeping bag (for the season)

· Sleep mat (rubber or inflatable)

Shelter/Rest

· Small tent, tarp or bivvi (basha) or hammock

Cooking

· Billy or saucepan and / or frying pan - You only need one or two

· Small camping stove (meths or gas stove)

(More often than not there will be an open fire to cook on – but please bring a small stove in

any case)

· Spoon and fork

· Plate or container for food

· Drinking cup

· Water bottle (suggested 1 litre) Fresh drinking water will be supplied

Hygiene

· Wash kit

· Small flannel (or small towel)

· Hygiene liquid

· Personal medication

· Small First Aid kit to include plasters, antiseptic wipes. (We have a more comprehensive First Aid kit at base camp)

· Toilet kit (soft toilet paper; hygiene gel) is supplied but you may want to bring your own.

Equipment

· Torch (head torch is best)

· Spare batteries

· Camera

· Notebook / pencil

If you have a knife (not a pen-knife) bring it along, but you can borrow one of ours.

Emergency kit

We will supply you emergency kit; but if you want your own:

· Emergency whistle (keep around your neck at all times)

· Silver survival blanket (keep in a pocket or pouch at all times)

· Torch or cyalume stick (keep in your pocket at all times)

Clothes

· Base layer vest or T-shirt

· Mid-layer shirt

· Mid-layer warm fleece or (better) wool pullover

· Top layer jacket (best fire resistant)

· Water proof jacket

· Trousers (avoid jeans in winter.)

· Walking boots, stout shoes or army surplus boots (avoid trainers especially in winter also avoid welly boots.)

· Spare socks / underwear

· Hat (warm hat for winter or sun hat for summer)

Food

Some suggestions:

· Instant porridge mix

· Bacon, sausages, tortillas (we call them edible plates!!)

· Packets of instant soup

· Pre-prepared stew, chilli or curry to reheat

· Boil-in-a-bag meals (like instant rice)

· Tea, coffee & sugar

· Cereal bars

· Mini bars chocolate (we like chocolate!)

· Mixed nuts & raisons

· We may have game (rabbits, squirrel, pheasant and venison) for you to prep and eat

depending on the course – but please bring some food in case this is not available.

Tips

· Line your rucksack with a bin liner to keep water out

· Bring a bin liner for rubbish

· Use small re-sealable food storage containers for coffee, tea and sugar

(You can also buy resealable plastic bags which will pack down smaller)

· Try not to have lots of separate bags to carry.

· If you have a knife, bring it along, but you can borrow one of ours. No axes please.

· Bring spare socks and a change of base-layer for the night. Nothing worse (or dangerous) than sleeping in wet or sweaty kit.

· If you strap your sleeping bag on the outside of your rucksack, make sure it’s in a waterproof bag.

· Avoid tins – they are heavy. Don’t leave food out in camp. It attracts unwelcome visitors.

Sources of kit

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on kit especially if you are just starting out. Army

surplus stores will usually stock everything you need. Online surplus shops also stock kit. In

the long run, buy the best you can afford, but if you are starting out – buy basic!!

Here are just a few that we use:

http://www.tamarackgroup.co.uk/

http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk

Advice

There are a few online communities that have varying opinions and advice about kit.

Don’t take the first piece of advice – many people are armchair enthusiasts and you may get

poor advice. If you are in any doubt about what kit to get, now or in the future, please contact us.

info@woodlife.co.uk

kitlist

Suggested Kit List (Weekend)

Carry

· Rucksack – Between 45 – 70 litres - Army surplus is fine

(Try not to have lots of separate bags – Base camp is about 600 meters from the car park)

Sleep

· Sleeping bag (for the season)

· Sleep mat (rubber or inflatable)

Shelter/Rest

· Small tent, tarp or bivvi (basha) or hammock

Cooking

· Billy or saucepan and / or frying pan - You only need one or two

· Small camping stove (meths or gas stove)

(More often than not there will be an open fire to cook on – but please bring a small stove in

any case)

· Spoon and fork

· Plate or container for food

· Drinking cup

· Water bottle (suggested 1 litre) Fresh drinking water will be supplied

Hygiene

· Wash kit

· Small flannel (or small towel)

· Hygiene liquid

· Personal medication

· Small First Aid kit to include plasters, antiseptic wipes. (We have a more comprehensive First Aid kit at base camp)

· Toilet kit (soft toilet paper; hygiene gel) is supplied but you may want to bring your own.

Equipment

· Torch (head torch is best)

· Spare batteries

· Camera

· Notebook / pencil

If you have a knife (not a pen-knife) bring it along, but you can borrow one of ours.

Emergency kit

We will supply you emergency kit; but if you want your own:

· Emergency whistle (keep around your neck at all times)

· Silver survival blanket (keep in a pocket or pouch at all times)

· Torch or cyalume stick (keep in your pocket at all times)

Clothes

· Base layer vest or T-shirt

· Mid-layer shirt

· Mid-layer warm fleece or (better) wool pullover

· Top layer jacket (best fire resistant)

· Water proof jacket

· Trousers (avoid jeans in winter.)

· Walking boots, stout shoes or army surplus boots (avoid trainers especially in winter also avoid welly boots.)

· Spare socks / underwear

· Hat (warm hat for winter or sun hat for summer)

Food

Some suggestions:

· Instant porridge mix

· Bacon, sausages, tortillas (we call them edible plates!!)

· Packets of instant soup

· Pre-prepared stew, chilli or curry to reheat

· Boil-in-a-bag meals (like instant rice)

· Tea, coffee & sugar

· Cereal bars

· Mini bars chocolate (we like chocolate!)

· Mixed nuts & raisons

· We may have game (rabbits, squirrel, pheasant and venison) for you to prep and eat

depending on the course – but please bring some food in case this is not available.

Tips

· Line your rucksack with a bin liner to keep water out

· Bring a bin liner for rubbish

· Use small re-sealable food storage containers for coffee, tea and sugar

(You can also buy resealable plastic bags which will pack down smaller)

· Try not to have lots of separate bags to carry.

· If you have a knife, bring it along, but you can borrow one of ours. No axes please.

· Bring spare socks and a change of base-layer for the night. Nothing worse (or dangerous) than sleeping in wet or sweaty kit.

· If you strap your sleeping bag on the outside of your rucksack, make sure it’s in a waterproof bag.

· Avoid tins – they are heavy. Don’t leave food out in camp. It attracts unwelcome visitors.

Sources of kit

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on kit especially if you are just starting out. Army

surplus stores will usually stock everything you need. Online surplus shops also stock kit. In

the long run, buy the best you can afford, but if you are starting out – buy basic!!

Here are just a few that we use:

http://www.tamarackgroup.co.uk/

http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk

Advice

There are a few online communities that have varying opinions and advice about kit.

Don’t take the first piece of advice – many people are armchair enthusiasts and you may get

poor advice. If you are in any doubt about what kit to get, now or in the future, please contact us.

info@woodlife.co.uk

Shows2

Throughout the year Woodlife Trails attends a number of Outdoor shows.

Our talks, demonstrations, activities and hands-on exhibits mainly centre on nature, wildlife and tracking (feeding signs, plaster casts, skulls, bones and scat) and how to get closer to woodland and forest inhabitants using bushcraft, tracking and field-craft techniques. We also talk about Bushcraft and the Law.

Our interactive demonstrations include: friction fire-lighting, knife-safety, carving techniques, spoon carving, introduction to tracking (using a "spoor-pit") plaster casts, field-craft and natrual camouflage techniques. The demos are fun and aimed at people of all ages.

__________________________________________________

In 2012 we will be attending the following shows:

The Bushcraft Show - 2- 4 June

Guest Speaker Pablo "How close do you want to go? - Getting closer to wildlife"

Demonstrations: Wildlife, tracking, plaster casts & natural camouflage

__________________________________________________

Naturefest - 28th - 30th May

Demonstrations: Wildlife, tracking, plaster casts & natural camouflage

___________________________________________________

Wilderness Gathering - 18th - 21st August

Guest speaker Pablo - "Buscraft and the Law"

Demonstrations: Spoon Carving and tracking techniques

___________________________________________________

We also attended the annual Scouts reunion and a couple of county shows. Please see Events Calendar for 2012 dates.

If you would like to book us for your show or event, please use the Enquiry form on the Contact page. Thanks.