Harkanites Post Xmas Camp out Sun 14 Jan 2018

Reveille was at 0800hrs. I lay there in my sleeping bag. Jackie  was stirring. Off to my left I could see Dave moving about in the gloom. He wandered over and soon had the fire going and the huge black kettle on for a brew. One of the last things we had done last night was to cover the last of the logs with earth, thus sealing in the red hot embers which with a little coaxing soon burst into flames. Maisie emerged from her MSR tent and soon we four stood around drinking tea and coffee.

Jackie with fresh fruit for starters for breakfast.

Dave enjoying the first brew of the day.

Soon we were joined by Mel and Les who had spent the night in their camper van. It was now mid morning and thoughts turned to breakfast. Dave had to 'shoot off' to collect daughter Chloe and 'let the rabbit out' so Mike who was designated duty chef held off on the eggs, bacon, toast and cheesy toast till Dave returned. Tim had arrived. His duties at his Provedore Resto last night had prevented him camping but was now with us. He was the chef during our weeks canoe/camping down the Harkan river. Mike with the skillet on the fire and bacon sizzling was under some degree of pressure here. I felt Tim's eyes scrutinizing me. The scran passed muster I am pleased to say.

I'd worry if I bumped into these guys roaming the woods.

Tim who is an accomplished medieval longbow enthusiast is a great exponent of 100% wool garments and as such has been designing a poncho style garment.  As can be seen from the photo Mike is wearing the long poncho. A watchcoat or Canadian Capote jacket in the style of the 1800's. The long jacket was very heavy but also very warm. Tim is wearing a shorter working style garment. He hopes to put these into production for a niche market. We shall see.

Apart from the wellies Maisie could be an extra out of 'Last of the Mohicans.'

Tim and Maisie chatting. Maisie is never far from her trusty Hultafors axe.

Whilst we had a few more brews of coffee using Tim's new GSI campfire coffee pot.

 https://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/1192-GSI-Outdoors-Glacier-Stainless-Steel-8-Cup-Coffee-Percolator/

Chloe took off with Sam the dog on a few adventures before returning for some more fire lighting practice with dad Dave and Les. Earlier that morning this little angel had been playing in concert with the local orchestra. Never let looks deceive you!

The time was now well on to 1300hrs and all felt the need to return home for a shower and clean kit. Tents were struck and the camp 'policed'. Maisie was thanked once again for organizing all and dates were muted for another camp out soon. A note of thanks must go to The Boss, Jay for permission to use the land. Look him up at www.canoecornwall.org.uk  



Harkanites Post Xmas Camp out Sat 13 Jan 2018

When we Sweden canoe gang met just prior to Xmas we all said we would repeat the exercise again after Xmas. Thus Saturday found The Stopportons and the Dixons RVing at The Punchbowl and Ladle for a light lunch. The weather had been horrendous all morning for the drive down to Truro and the din of the rain hitting the window panes did nothing to encourage us to leave the warmth of the 'inn' and venture out to a cold, wet and muddy woodland campsite. Never the less that's why we were there.

In the wood shed.



Maisie, Jay, Jackie and Dave. Sam, begrudging Dave every mouthful.

When we arrived Jay, Maisie and Dave were already on site with the kettle boiling. We took advantage of a brew and huddled around the fire for some warmth. The rain was not helping much with the fire and so we soon had erected a poncho above the fire. far enough for it not to burn, with a sensible fire but of sufficient size to keep the rain well away. We could now move around the fire and still keep dry.

Les, looking pensive.



Dave, exercising caution, helping Maisie chop wood with her new Xmas axe.

As Jay was on site I assumed he would be staying overnight and would naturally as 'The Boss' command the shelter with its hay bale seats and sleeping platform. Alas, he could not stay as he had commitments. Hurrah! That meant Jackie could once again sleep on the bales and I like a faithful hound sleep on the floor at her feet thus protecting her! The alternative was the wood shed. This was an old fallen Oak with an old tarp strung off one side out over a few branches that gave cover to the firewood and allowed it to dry out. I would have needed to move an amount of firewood, divert some water running in via a small ditch and close over a few open ends with my poncho but it would soon be cosy and snug. {In my minds eye anyway.)

The afternoon passed with the others erecting their tents, gathering in more timber, to replace that what we would burn and generally processing wood.

Late afternoon and Mike put on the old catering sized Heinz bean tin to warm up the Mulled wine. This was perhaps the start of the drinking. Jay who had to drive home declined but the two bottles that were warmed by the fire soon disappeared. We all felt warmer inside. Maisie had prepared a pass the parcel game. One rolled a dice and then when it showed 6 you had the parcel to unwrap a layer. Simples! The only slight hinderance was the huge set of welders gloves which you had to put on before you could start to unwrap anything. Once they were on it was impossible. Still that passed another 40 minutes. Simple pleasures in the wilds. Jay could stand no more excitement and took his leave.

The only other form of entertainment was prepping materials for fire lighting the next morning although with sufficient banking the fire should stay in.

Mel and Les had prepped a Thai chicken curry with all the trimmings bhajees, pompadoms, pickle etc. Jackie had bought some of Mr Kiplings which we put on to warm through and Maisie had some wonderful Swedish biscuits that also served as a dessert. Soon the Jura whisky appeared and the remainder of the night till 2230hrs was spent reliving the Harkan River trip in Sweden last August. Ben who was also on that trip was in Norway skiing and Johan was at work tonight. Rich lives somewhere in Norfolk and Steve could not make it either. Still we had a great evening. 

Les suggested this looked more like 'Away in a manger' that a 'line camp'.

Jackie wrapped up snug in her Ex army blanket that Father Xmas had given her.

Spoilt rotten that girl!

Christmas has come and gone. The weather has been fairly wet and wild and Jackie and I have managed a few walk-abouts. Mostly kept off the higher moor by the wild winds. As Jackie was busy this am I thought I would take myself off for a wander. Nothing too strenuous but as Les and I had been chatting yesterday over another Weatherspoon's Eggs Benedict breakfast about a camp I did last summer with Tim and Peter I thought I would take the opportunity to check it out today.

The met was not good but hey this is Dartmoor in winter. It's never that good in the summer!

Despite appearances it was very windy coming at you from the West. It didn't help out or back it merely kept blowing you sideways.

Looking North. Were off up there somewhere.

An ancient grave. Looking North.

This stream is the path down to the river normally.

Campfire spot 1. No.

Campfire Spot 2. No.

Another view  of 2.

Campfire Spot 3. No.



The usual Camp Fire spot 3.  Sat in a puddle!

I have been sleeping under a poncho in the lee of this wall on and off for more years than I can remember.

Camp Fire Spot 3.

At least I managed to get a fire going for a brew. All natural materials gathered on the way in today.

After an hour playing around and brewing up I headed back South.

Tim's hammock tree.

Far too many right angles. I think I also spotted chisel marks.



Old Man's Beard.



Plenty of fallen dead wood.

Still blowing a hoolie from the West on the return journey.

Windy and cold but a beautiful day for all that.

Harkan 2017 Pre Xmas Camp out.

Maisie had organized a Pre Xmas Camp out for those Sweden Harkanites of 2017 that could make the date. Alas as with so many arrangements made close in to Xmas one is always fighting the diary. It was agreed that we would meet at The Punch Bowl and Ladel Inn at Feock for 1300 hrs. http://www.punchbowlandladle.com/



We Stopportons thought we would take advantage of being this far down into Cornwall to visit Tim's Provodore Resto for one of Bev's Saturday morning breakfasts. I say Bev, as of course Bev also has a great following in the resto. We were fortuneate that whilst polishing off our Eggs Benedict that Tim called in and we managed a lengthy chat. It was great to catch up again. The talk seemed to centre around woollen blankets and Tim suggested I take myself to Exeter Surplus Stores in search of a couple.

Inside Provedore Restaurant Falmouth

 We had some time on our hands and took a small detour around past the docks and Falmouth Castle to the point. The wind was fairly whipping up the channel here and Jackie was somewhat reluctant, indeed she refused to get out of the van. It was gloriously sunny but so cold. Wind chill. We could see away in the distance the entrance to Dave's Percuil River.

We arrived at The Punch bowl at about the same time as Mel and Les, ordered drinks and found a cosy nook. There are plenty of those in this olde worlde pub. Alas the mulled wine was off. Or rather not on. Having eaten very well at Tim's earlier this am we were not that hungry for lunch but managed some soup and a roll.

With lunch finished we made our way 'to the woods' here we set up our respective tents and ponchos. There is a permanent 'shelter' here in the woods which was extremely well appointed. I had anticipated a night under the poncho but as the others had their tents Jackie and I took advantage of the straw bales and would later in the evening crash on these beside the fire.

With light failing fast now Maisie set about lighting a fire whilst Dave Mel and Les collected some firewood. 

Maisie demonstrating the correct stance for wood chopping.

Father Xmas or should that be Mother Xmas brings gifts.

 

Les and Mel prepare more wood for the fire.

Jackie cracked open the bottles of mulled wine she had brought and Mike put this on the fire to warm. A few mugfulls of this and soon the stronger stuff started to appear.

 

Mulled wine heating through.

Drinking invariably leads on to food and as we had brought jacket potatoes to cook with our steak we put these on. Then had another drink. Mel and Les were on stew which they had finished before our spuds were cooked. Some peas and carrots, Portobello mushrooms with melted cheese topping and sliced Montana Toms made up our meal. All cooked on the skillet over the fire. Dave had some home made pasta which no sooner had he warmed he spilt all over the floor. "Ten second  rule" we all shouted in unison!




As the night fell the little people started to appear.

Soon even more strange creatures emerged from the woods.

Even these strange eyeless toe hugging tree hoppers put in an appearance.

Having wined and dined most Royally it was time to turn in. The night was nowhere as cold as it might have been and the rain held off. A pretty goods nights sleep was enjoyed.

Jackie snug as a bug!



Poor old Mike on the floor again!

The next morning Mike and Maisie soon had a fire going for a brew and we cooked bacon on the skillet. Some had porridge.

Check out Maisie's JimJams!

Jay called over just as we were finishing breakfast then it was down to the River to launch the canoes for a couple of hours paddle. This was broken into two legs, the out and back by another fire, brew up and bacon and egg banjo.

Anyone remember the Robert Redford film, Jeremiah Johnson?

Jackie is the spitting image of Bear Claw from that film don't you think!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcsXC2xFis4