Category Archives: Bushcraft Courses & Expeditions

Bushcraft Courses & Expeditions

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 5

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Day 5 of Woodlore’s Birch Bark Canoe Building Course began with yet another beautifully sunny morning. With the canoe nearing completion, the team turned their focus to preparing the many ribs which will give the craft its finished shape, while continuing to stitch and bind the finished pieces together. When their hands were not needed elsewhere, students (along with special guest Lars Falt) progressed with the carving of their own canoe paddles, in readiness for launch day.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith - Day 5

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 5

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Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 4

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The sight that greeted me on day 4 of our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course was a huge leap forward from my previous visits. Despite being the hottest day of the year so far, the group continued to work hard and were clearly enjoying seeing their efforts pay off, with the canoe already framed, pegged and being sewn together. Traditional tools and natural thread were used throughout and, as you can see below, the results were striking. Meanwhile, Ray unveiled a special, ceremonial sweat lodge which had been crafted earlier in the week, and students continued to carve their very own canoe paddles.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith - Day 4

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 4

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Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 3

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Day 3 of our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course saw the group move out of the dense woods and into open space, giving them the room they needed to begin assembling the canoe itself. With the unveiling of two beautiful rolls of Canadian birch bark, the team started to build the basic framework from the materials they prepared earlier in the week. Once in place, we get our first real glimpse of the craft that is just a few days away from completion.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 3

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 3

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Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 2

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Day 2 was the first full day of our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course and spirits were high; despite the hard work ahead, the anticipation and excitement was clear to see in the students. Seeking shelter from the sun, the team worked together with master canoe builder Pinock Smith on hand and, by the end of the day, they had achieved a great deal of preparation work for this momentous project.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith - Day 2

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 2

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Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 1

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This week sees an incredibly unique course taking place right here in the UK, in celebration of Woodlore’s 30th Anniversary. The Birch Bark Canoe Building Course started yesterday afternoon, and has brought together some highly influential figures from the world of Bushcraft.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith

Ray Mears begins carving his canoe paddle

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Leg of Lamb à la Woodlore

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Students of our Traditional Living Skills course were treated to a fantastic bit of al fresco dining one evening last week. In between shelter building and hand-drill practice, our Woodloreans were presented with this juicy, slow-cooked leg of lamb, courtesy of our experienced instructors:

Supper time on the Traditional Living Skills course

Supper time on the Traditional Living Skills course

Supper time on the Traditional Living Skills course

Supper time on the Traditional Living Skills course

Building and expanding on the skills of the Fundamental Bushcraft course, Traditional Living Skills is designed for those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of Bushcraft, and is ideal for those preparing for our Journeyman course.

First Course of the Woodlore UK Season

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The first of the Woodlore UK courses took place over the Easter bank holiday weekend.  Here is some feedback from client Stuart Mason after he attended the Woodlore Introduction to Bushcraft course:

I got back today from my Introduction to Bushcraft course, taught by Keith and Mark.

I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the course, how much I learned, and home much stuff I thought I know that I unlearned! The pace and content of the course was ideal, and I have nothing but praise for the skills, patience and friendliness of both Keith and Mark.

Shelters on the Woodlore Introduction to Bushcraft course

Client shelters on the Introduction to Bushcraft course

In terms of expectations, the washing facilities were rather tough – but then I guess you don’t yet have the mastery over the weather!! Ice cold water (with ice crystals!) in a bowl.

The packing list was very useful, and I came more prepared than required, which is far more preferable to the alternative. So, I’ll be looking at the other courses available, and will now be trying to persuade a few friends to try it too.

Stuart Mason

Who Needs an Alarm Clock when You Have Geese

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The following post was kindly written by Woodlore Senior Course Assistant Wayne Egerton:

Woodlore Team Member Wayne Egerton

Woodlore Team Member Wayne Egerton

“I’m having a girlie night in tonight with some friends.” Barely had my wife finished uttering these words and my rucksack was being stuffed and hoisted onto my shoulder. I knew just the spot… a seaside location about an hour’s walk away, and usually deserted.

The weather was clear, cold (2-3 degrees) and not a breath of wind. The joy of walking on one’s own is you see and hear more; wildlife not scared away by the idle banter of a pair. A woodpecker, wren, robin and not to mention a surprised fox, and that was only on the way there.

Tarp up and fire going, just big enough to keep warm and have a brew. As light faded, the tide retreated and it was just the oyster catchers, the curlew and the chill. I’m sure a fox visited in the night, but my hat was still on my head when I woke.

Home for the night

Home for the night

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Swedish Singer Yana Mangi to Join Woodlore’s Arctic Experience Course in 2013

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Swedish jojk singer Yana Mangi

Traditional Swedish singer Yana Mangi

As you will no doubt be aware, 2013 is a very special year for us here, as it marks Woodlore’s Thirtieth Anniversary. However, this is not the only anniversary that we will be celebrating this year – 2013 also marks the twentieth year that we have been running our Arctic Experience expeditions in Swedish Lapland. To celebrate our twentieth year in the Arctic wilderness, Woodlore have invited world-renowned Sami singer Yana Mangi to join us in our adventure. Continue reading →

Ray Mears Hosts the 2012 St John Ambulance First Aid Awards

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On Monday night Ray had the honour of hosting the 2012 St John Ambulance First Aid Awards, a ceremony which looks to celebrate the amazing and brave actions of organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their first aid skills in extraordinary circumstances.

On Monday night Ray had the honour of hosting the 2012 St John Ambulance First Aid Awards, a ceremony which looks to celebrate the amazing and brave actions of organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their first aid skills in extraordinary circumstances.

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