Wilderness Gathering Preview

It doesn’t seem possible that 12 months has passed since last year’s Wilderness Gathering; but here we are - ready to roll down to Wiltshire again for the 10th Anniversary of the Gathering.

So what’s changed and what are we doing? Looking back at last year’s photos, there’s so much that’s changed. We have a new set up and new exhibits as well as some of the old favourites; and we have a live animal to provide for that real tracking experience as well as providing a laugh a minute! I’m not going to give the game away!

JP will be doing his usual friction fire-lighting technique demos and giving some lucky people a chance to be successful with it for the first time; and Pablo will be doing talks and lectures on Bushcraft and the Law and tracking demonstrations.

Everyone will be mucking in with the Coyote kids and showing them the wonders of Nature through our high-powered microscope and through Nature Detective walks.

There will be plenty of Woodlife Trails staff to offer advice and assistance and to test and challenge anyone on tracks and signs that the animals leave behind.

If you need to fill your weekend, then come on down. It’s a great show and a great social. Hope to see you there.

wildernessgathering.com

Wilderness Gathering Preview

It doesn’t seem possible that 12 months has passed since last year’s Wilderness Gathering; but here we are - ready to roll down to Wiltshire again for the 10th Anniversary of the Gathering.

So what’s changed and what are we doing? Looking back at last year’s photos, there’s so much that’s changed. We have a new set up and new exhibits as well as some of the old favourites; and we have a live animal to provide for that real tracking experience as well as providing a laugh a minute! I’m not going to give the game away!

JP will be doing his usual friction fire-lighting technique demos and giving some lucky people a chance to be successful with it for the first time; and Pablo will be doing talks and lectures on Bushcraft and the Law and tracking demonstrations.

Everyone will be mucking in with the Coyote kids and showing them the wonders of Nature through our high-powered microscope and through Nature Detective walks.

There will be plenty of Woodlife Trails staff to offer advice and assistance and to test and challenge anyone on tracks and signs that the animals leave behind.

If you need to fill your weekend, then come on down. It’s a great show and a great social. Hope to see you there.

wildernessgathering.com

Alone in the Woods

It’s great what I do with Woodlife Trails with all the shows and courses throughout the summer; but sometimes I do regret not being able to wander through the woods as often as I would like.

I usually take the odd day off from work; but this year, even that has been difficult with a new high profile and demanding role.

So I was quite glad that I managed to get away into the woods this morning completely on my own.

It was a beautiful morning, but I knew this would be short-lived; so I made the most out of walking quietly through the woodland to see what I could find.

My first thoughts were how hard and heavy I was stepping through the landscape and how quickly I was walking. You soon forget how to move properly through the landscape after a while. I worked out it was in March when I last set foot in these woods. I slowed down and my steps became lighter. I was rewarded by sneaking up to within a few feet of a squirrel until I stepped on a dry stick!

A small herd of deer also noticed my out of practice stalking technique and watched with seeming amusement as I trundled past their lay-up.

After a couple more sit spots, I seemed to be a little more at ease and began to become part of the wood again. My mind wandered and my thoughts became clear as I zoned-in. If nothing else it was a well-needed relaxing few hours alone in the woodland.

Alone in the Woods

It’s great what I do with Woodlife Trails with all the shows and courses throughout the summer; but sometimes I do regret not being able to wander through the woods as often as I would like.

I usually take the odd day off from work; but this year, even that has been difficult with a new high profile and demanding role.

So I was quite glad that I managed to get away into the woods this morning completely on my own.

It was a beautiful morning, but I knew this would be short-lived; so I made the most out of walking quietly through the woodland to see what I could find.

My first thoughts were how hard and heavy I was stepping through the landscape and how quickly I was walking. You soon forget how to move properly through the landscape after a while. I worked out it was in March when I last set foot in these woods. I slowed down and my steps became lighter. I was rewarded by sneaking up to within a few feet of a squirrel until I stepped on a dry stick!

A small herd of deer also noticed my out of practice stalking technique and watched with seeming amusement as I trundled past their lay-up.

After a couple more sit spots, I seemed to be a little more at ease and began to become part of the wood again. My mind wandered and my thoughts became clear as I zoned-in. If nothing else it was a well-needed relaxing few hours alone in the woodland.

Scouting Naturalists

If anyone is any doubt as to what true scouting is; you need look no further than 8 wonderful kids and 3 dedicated scout leaders who came to Hatfield Forest last Sunday to learn some Bushcraft and Tracking.

Their attention and enthusiasm was an inspiration as we taught them fire-lighting, water-purification, the basics of animal tracking, wildplants and trees and even a tracking competition thrown in.

I would write more – but what better way to sum up than by a message on our Facebook wall…

“Once upon a time there were a group of people called woodlife and some scout leaders, they all dreamed that the sun would shine and on Sunday a group of scouts would turn up and show some interest in tracking and bushcraft, also with a bit of luck they would achieve their naturalist badge.

Well some fairytales do come true !!
Massive thank you to you guys for sharing your knowledge and a Sunday with a bunch of kids who will never walk through a forest again in the same way they used too.”

Well done to everyone! I was proud to award them their Naturalist Badge.

Scouting Naturalists

If anyone is any doubt as to what true scouting is; you need look no further than 8 wonderful kids and 3 dedicated scout leaders who came to Hatfield Forest last Sunday to learn some Bushcraft and Tracking.

Their attention and enthusiasm was an inspiration as we taught them fire-lighting, water-purification, the basics of animal tracking, wildplants and trees and even a tracking competition thrown in.

I would write more – but what better way to sum up than by a message on our Facebook wall…

“Once upon a time there were a group of people called woodlife and some scout leaders, they all dreamed that the sun would shine and on Sunday a group of scouts would turn up and show some interest in tracking and bushcraft, also with a bit of luck they would achieve their naturalist badge.

Well some fairytales do come true !!
Massive thank you to you guys for sharing your knowledge and a Sunday with a bunch of kids who will never walk through a forest again in the same way they used too.”

Well done to everyone! I was proud to award them their Naturalist Badge.

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Weight:

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