Wales Summer meet 2022 (4th to the 9th September)

[WildWood1965]

Kneef's Side Of The Story (Jackanory ! )

Locations:

The Town

I had only ever been to Wales once before in my early teens but I still recall memories of the hills & mountains & the quaint towns & villages that we passed through. The town where Mike is based actually reminded @Matt & I of the Barbican area of Plymouth with it's mix of eclectic shops selling various nick nacks. The local butchers & bakers were duly sniffed out & they provided us with some very nice burgers & fresh bread rolls. I could see myself retiring to somewhere like this but it would take a hell of a lot to actually make it happen.

Mike & Louise's Gaff

Well what can I say (WOW)

I loved the place & from my point of view it was a privilege to have stayed there. The land & the surrounding area instilled a sense of calmness & contentment that I have not experienced for many years. It was so relaxing just being there watching the day drifting along without a care in the world (Other than making sure that our illustrious leader had his brews at the alloted times that is).

The People & The Pets:

Mike (@Ystranc) & Louise were the perfect hosts in every way & we were all more than well looked after.

Paul (@Paul N ) was very generous with his time & knowledge across a range of subjects that included natural cordage, fire by friction, bowmaking/archery & axe sharpening.

Dick (@divebuddy) was his usual jovial self recalling tales from his life of a time gone by when things just seemed easier than they are now.

Matt (@Matt) once again got Dick & I to our destination safely in his trusty steed. He thankfully managed to get his rifle sorted out after some initial gremlins & he had a bash at being a stand in for Robin Hood (Any resemblence to a young Errol Flynn is indeed a total figment of your imaginations. However, if you look at that photo in a certain light wearing glasses that are too strong for your eyes after consuming several glasses of @Ystranc cider he could be mistaken for an 80 year old Kevin Costner ) !

Archie, Holly, Bryn & Skye (I hope I got that right Mike) were a form of therapy for me at times & on one occasion when the chaps were around the fire & I was tidying my tent I heard someone whining outside. I unzipped the door to find Skye standing there looking at me as if to tell me that I was in the wrong place. I think that he just wanted everyone to be together in one place bless him.

The Food:

@Matt mentioned that he & I split the cooking but I would say that it was more like 60/40 with me making up for the deficit by doing the washing up. We had the usual bacon butties & we upped the anti on the egg banjos by chucking in fresh burgers topped with cheese. Matt then excelled himself with a nice plate of sausages, mash & gravy & I cooked up a cheese omelette.

The Belltents & Stoves:

This trip was used by the three of us to get our tents & stoves in order & we are confident that our goals have been achieved ahead of the Scotland trip. The tents which were purchased from Bell Tent | Luxurious Cotton Canvas Glamping Bell Tents, Canvas Tents Bell Tents Ridge Tents | Buy Online canvastentshop.co.uk & SoulPad | Bell Tents | Glamping Equipment have been weathered in with the rain & the stoves after some nervous moments whilst fitting the stove jacks are all working well.

Once again & on behalf of those who attended I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to @Ystranc (Mike) & Louise for allowing us to stay at there most suitable & tranquil abode.

Can't wait for the next one !

 

[Ystranc]

Next time around I intend to monopolise Paul N’s time with some net making, more cordage and foraging. Hopefully we may get a break in the weather to do some campfire cookery. I thoroughly enjoyed the meet and I’m looking forward to hosting another in Spring ‘23

 

[Paul N]

Next time around I intend to monopolise Paul N’s time with some net making, more cordage and foraging. Hopefully we may get a break in the weather to do some campfire cookery.

It'll be my pleasure Mike. I don't like just sitting around twiddling my thumbs. There may also be some bowmaking so, with that and what you want to do, I should be kept out of mischief.

 

[G1ZmO]

Sounds like a great time was had by all. I hope we can make it along next time. And we might even be joined by the elusive Scarlett Pimpernel @Ark79
It would be good to meet Mike and Louise, catch up with Paul again and put up with the rest of you reprobates .

 

[Ark79]

Well you never know

 

[Paul N]

Here is your crab apple Jelly Mike @Ystranc . I thought about posting it to you but had second thoughts because I don't think it would travel well. I'll bring it in April.

 

[divebuddy]

I might get round to putting a few pics up tomorrow.

 

[divebuddy]

So here goes! Matt and Neil kindly picked me up from home around 8.15. The journey was reasonably uneventful and we arrived just after 1pm from memory.
Paul was already there and we unloaded the gear and Mike kindly transported it up to our camp area.
Managed to set up without rain and settle in.
Thoroughly enjoyed the week and the company of Holly, Archie, Bryn and Skye. Just had to time the cooking for when they weren't around.
Mike and Louise were perfect hosts and I sincerely hope we didn't cause problems for them.
I think the rifle plinking range worked ok and was pleased when Matt announced that he and Neil had cleared up the course and packed the targets ready for transport.
Most evenings we were able to sit round the fire and I was very careful to limit in take of cider to no more than 3 full mugs per night.
The fitting of chimney flues to the three bell tents was very entertaining. Never have I seen such nerves before cutting into the cloth!
All was well and there were three stoves working on a couple of nights. All ready for Scotland.
It was decided to pack up Thursday as Friday was likely to be very wet. I still returned home with two very wet tarps. All now dried and packed away.
I have put the pics I took in three lots, some of which I already put up on the forum.
Thanks again to all who went and especially Mike and Louise.

 

[divebuddy]

A few more pics.

 

[divebuddy]

Last lot! last one is driving home!

 

[Ystranc]

I will add that I didn’t leave my smelly little red tractor next to Dick all week. It was only parked there while he was breaking camp . I wouldn’t inflict that on him.

 

[divebuddy]

I will add that I didn’t leave my smelly little red tractor next to Dick all week. It was only parked there while he was breaking camp . I wouldn’t inflict that on him.

Not at all smelly and definitely useful for an old git like me!

 

[Ystranc]

Not at all smelly and definitely useful for an old git like me!

I need to get an auto quad bike for you guys to get about, some of those hills get a bit steep after trudging up and down them a few times.