Survival Training!

On Friday afternoon I (Rach) got a call about a spare place on bushcraft and survival training course over the weekend, did I want to go? ..... Heck, Yes!

We started Saturday morning with an introduction to fire lighting with a flint and steel strikers. Lighting a piece of cotton wool with flint and steel = quite easy. Lighting silver birch bark was quite a bit more difficult.

We then had a competition in pairs to build a fire big enough to burn through the string. Jack (my partner) and I were in joint second place.

After learning how to gut a fish, we cooked them with veggies over our campfire for lunch- super tasty!

Midway through the afternoon Ray Mears wandered though our camp. Yes, the Ray Mears. How cool is that! Unfortunately I was too star struck to grab my camera. Overnight I bivied in the forest, while others opted for hammocks or tentage (patchwork pillow v2.0 is already being put to good use).

Sunday was spent doing more tasty camp cooking and learning knife skills, there is nothing like deepfried banana fritters for breakfast. I had a fab weekend, thanks to Sunny and Ed from Ember Survival for putting on an excellent weekend for us! Further photos can be found on the Ember Survival facebook page

 Totally prepared for nature (maybe)

Let there be lists

After 4 hours of discussion yesterday we now have a definitive* list of all the things we need to fit inside our tiny car. As with all the best meetings it started with a bucket of KFC and ended with us nearly getting locked in college.  If you have any of the checked items hanging around, or know where we can get them on the cheap do tell us!

Image from: http://theplanetd.com/mongol-rally-gear-list-for-car/

*Definitive list may not actually be definitive. If you notice that we’ve left off something really obvious like toothpaste let us know (please don’t keep quiet and laugh at our misfortune)

Item	To aquire		Item	To aquire
Car stuff			Personal
Spare wheels x2	x		Clothes- minimal
Metal 20lt Jerry Cans x2	x		Rain jacket (trousers)
Jerry can spout	x		Wash stuff
Spare oil	x		Towel (pack towel)
Brake fluid	x		Head torch
Engine coolant?	x		Passport & letters of information
Jack			Driving licence (paper and photocard)
Spark Plugs	x		International driving licence	x
Alternator Belt	x		Travel Insurance Documents
Fan Belt	x		EHIC cards
Fuses	x		Hat
Bulbs	x		Sunglasses
Spare battery compressor combo unit	x
Fuel pump/filter	x		Camping gear
Other spares	x		Sleeping bags (&Liner)
Tools	x		Thermarests
Leatherman			Travel Pillows	x
Roof straps & bungee cord	x		Tent: Quecha 4 man	x
Maps : Europe, Kazakhstan & surrounds, Russia, Mongolia	x		MSRs x2
Compass			Lighters	x
GPS Logger	x		Flint
Inverter + four way splitter	x		Pots and pans	x
Puncture repair sealant	x		Pot handle
WD40	x		Bowl, plate, mug, cutlery
Duct tape	x		Trowel	x
Wire	x		Emergency loo roll	x
Electrical wire	x		Solar Shower	x
Burly Cable Ties	x		Water Carriers	x
Small Cable Ties	x		Tarp and Poles	x
Arldite	x		Chopping board	x
Car manual	x		Knife	x
Tow rope	x
Prussic line	x		Safety stuff
Pulleys			Sat phone?	x
Karbinas			Hi-vis jacket	x
Slings			Mini fire extinguisher	x
Jump leads	x		Warning triangle	x
GB stickers	x		Mosquito nets
Headlight converters	x		Iodine	x
Big Torch	x		Sharps kit
Car Registration Documents			First aid kit: Plasters, bandages (three types), scissors, tweezers, Vaseline, antiseptic wipes, first aid manual, steri-strips, elastaplast tape,	x
Car Insurance Documents
Sump guard	x
Breakline guard	x
Media			Drugs: paracetamol, Ibuprofen, antihistamines, Imodium, Dioralite, rennies, motion sickness	x
Netbook
External data storage
Gopro
SLRs			Suncream
Lenses			whistle
Tripod			emergency rations	x
Memory cards	x
Card reader	x		Entertainment
Cables			Music x lots
Chargers			Books
			Aux cable