13/02/17
In another impromptu moment , I was invited to attend a bushcraft and survival skills course at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire. Without hesitation, I of course said yes as this is totally up my street.
The 6.5 hour course, hosted by the Institute for Outdoor Learning cost £45, (for IOL members, £90 for non-members) and covered the following:
- Confident fire lighting
- Using natural materials for survival and shelter
- Tarps and shelters
- Knot skills
- Bushcraft games
Course leaders Dave Watson & Martin Rollin have a combined knowledge of 28 years in the industry and were superb in delivering the information.
I was astounded that by the end of the course, I was able to set up a camp from scratch within 45 minutes. This included setting up a tarpaulin shelter using natural materials and secure quick release knots as well as starting a fire with no lighter or matches. In fact, the fire lighting technique Martin taught me was so quick I was able to start and maintain 2 fires within 30 minutes!
Dave & Martin both have their own bushcraft businesses and I will certainly be doing more of their courses!
Please visit their website here: Woodland Survival Crafts or Silverback Bushcraft .
Happy Bushcrafting xxx