So far my experience of the YouTube Bushcraft community has been 99.999% positive, with people sharing common values, holding common beliefs etc, coming together on an online forum to help and support each other, share knowledge, tips and tricks, and on many occassions just share experiences with one another. This trip again demonstrated the community spirit that we all enjoy online, but once again (I have had one previous meet with FunkyPrepper and BassfuryVI which was just awesome!) it showed just how well some people can extend that into real life. Now I have to hold my hands up here and be honest, I did meet 51Foxy at The Bushcraft Show back in the Summer, and if the hospitality that he (and Andy and Bribo) showed back then was to be replicated, I knew I was in for a most enjoyable time. I had never met BarkingBadger1 before, missing him and his missus by about 5 minutes at the Bushcraft Show, but not to worry, I was looking forward to meeting for the first time someone that has been commenting on, and supporting, my channel for quite a while.
Unfortunately my friends mum has had a tough time with throat cancer recently, so I wanted to stay as long as I could in Norwich, setting off on my 2 hour drive to Camp Bazza about 3 hours later than I had planned! Arriving at 51Foxy's house, I called him and he talked me through the remaining 2 mile drive along a very rural country road, to a gate in the middle of nowhere, where I saw him waiting for me to guide the car in and close the gate behind me. That was the first great thing for me, it was obvious we wouldnt have dog walkers, ramblers and young kids on the lash disturbing us. I drove up the small lane and parked up, and as soon as I jumped out, the lads were there with handshakes all round, and a few extra pairs of hands to help with the selection box of real ales I had bought as my gift to the lads for that stay.
What a cracking little spot 51Foxy has to enjoy up there! I took a look around the camp and it was clear to see the potential of the place for enjoyment, a nice canopy over head, trees of a decent thickness to hang the hammock and tarp from, nicely spaced and not too close as to be a hinderance. The fire was going nicely and 'The Presidents' Kettle was warming nicely for a brew. I set to work putting up my new DD 3x3 Tarp and old DD hammock, and left everything else for later on. Below is a picture of all my gear layed out for the trip. There was an emphasis on cold weather sleeping gear more than anything else, as I didnt know what to expect with the weather at all. I usually do check, but staying at my friends for a few days beforehand, I wasnt prepared to take a chance on the forecasts being correct. A cold night with no sleep was NOT what I wanted prior to a 3 hour drive home! I will post a picture in a later blog of a typical load out of the bergen when I go out for a few nights.
Food was next, and BarkingBadger1 (I shall call him BB from now on) set to work on starters of bacon sandwiches, followed by main course of burgers with cheese, jacket potatoes and chicken curry! You do NOT go hungry at Camp Bazza! Washed down with a few bottles of the real ale that I bought along.
The rest of the night was spent chatting away, having a laugh, talking about kit, different peoples channels and what we were keen and not so keen on, hours passing away under that dark canopy. Bobby the dog was intent on staying on my lap for most of the time, as comfortable as a dog would wish to be on a balmy evening. The fire died down low, and we kept it low, due to the warmth of the night. The thermometer showing night time lows of around 12 degrees, which I thought was pretty high for Lincolnshire in early October!
Anyway, morning came for me when I woke up at 07.30hrs to find 51Foxy and BB stoking up the Wildgas Stove for a morning brew, along with the realisation that the damn mosquito's had had a feast of my face! I had put on some repellent before climbing into my arctic sleeping bag, on top of that which BB had given me earlier in the evening, but it didnt seem to stop the buggers, as I had four bites starting to swell up, one on each eyelid, and two in between my eyebrows, this was going to be fun I thought! I tend to react quite badly to biting insects so I always keep repellant along with anti histamine tablets close to hand when I go outdoors, but I guess I was just unlucky on this occassion. Have a look how they turned out a few hours later!
I stopped in at The Bushcraft Store on the way back to pick up a few bits of kit that I needed to stock up on. Also to check out the range of gear by Ridgeline, a New Zealand brand that I have heard mixed reviews about. I was particularly interested in the Monsoon Euro II smock, the Roar Monsoon Smock and the Grizzly fleece full length jacket. Picked up the Grizzly as it really did feel like it was going to suit my needs very well indeed! More to come on that one!
All in all, a great weekend and a fantastic stay up with 51Foxy and BB! If you now these guys through YouTubem and you ever get the invite or opportunity to hang out with them, do it because you will not regret it! Top lads, thanks again!
Thats all for this one...MTFBWY!