When a new bit of kit comes in, who’s to let a light dusting of snow get in the way of trying it out? Ray Mears, Dan Hume and the team headed out mid-blizzard today, to try the new Folding Griddle for a spot of lunch:
Ray Mears and Dan Hume put the Griddle to the test (click for full size)
The Gransfors Ray Mears Wilderness Axe is a new and exclusive collaboration between Ray and the Swedish company Gransfors Bruks. After many years of designing, testing and refining, Ray and the Woodlore team are extremely excited to unveil this brand new signature model:
The Gransfors Ray Mears Wilderness Axe (click for full size)
Upon its release in December 2010, Ray sat down with us for an interview on this new axe, answering questions on its design, purpose and benefits over other models available today:
The Woodlore Team: What were your main goals when you set out to design your own axe?
Ray Mears: I thought long and hard about whether there was a need to design a new axe; I was asked to do so elsewhere a long time ago, and at first I thought there wasn’t. But I’ve thought very hard about it for a long time, and I felt there was something that could be done.
A good axe needs a combination of many features, but most importantly, it needs the right weight balanced with the right length of handle. There will always be a compromise between a small, portable hatchet and a large axe more suitable for felling; the Small Forest Axe is great, but it is lacking in weight and length for good splitting and chopping. I wanted an axe that was a little bit longer, better to swing with two hands, with a heavier head. Continue reading
Ray Mears tracking leopards in Namibia while filming for Survival
This past Sunday, Ray Mears offered up a once-in-a-lifetime trip tracking leopards in Namibia, which was auctioned off on BBC Radio 2 for Children in Need. The 5-day trip will be hosted by Ray next year, along with members of the Global Leopard Project, and will offer an amazing chance to see these big cats along with other game, such as lions, cheetahs and rhinos.
At the end of Sunday’s auction, the winning bid raised a fantastic £17,000 for the charity.
During an interview with Richard Madeley last week, Ray explained just what the expedition would involve:
Interview with Ray Mears on BBC Radio 2
Ray Mears on the set of 'Wild Britain'
Broadcast date: Monday, 8 November 2010, 8:00PM – 8:30PM
Episode 5: Heathland – Ray Mears visits the Brecklands of East Anglia
In this, the fifth episode of Wild Britain with Ray Mears, Ray explores one of the country’s least-known habitats – the ‘Brecklands’. One of the driest places in England, the Breckland is an unusual natural habitat, comprising of gorse-covered sandy heath, yet it is an area of considerable interest for its unusual flora and fauna.
Despite often bearing the brunt of the hottest summers and coldest winters in the country, the area is home to an abundance of exciting wildlife; brown hares, the rare stone curlew and the noisy pool frog – that until recently was extinct in Britain – all call this habitat home.
Ray also ventures below ground to explore an ancient flint mine, where he discovers a red deer antler that has remained there since the stone age.
Ray Mears on the set of 'Wild Britain'
Broadcast date: Monday, 1 November 2010, 8:00PM – 8:30PM
Episode 3: Wetlands – Ray Mears explores the lowland wetlands of Somerset
In this week’s episode, Ray Mears takes to his canoe to explore the atmospheric lowland wetlands of Somerset. This beautiful habitat is one of the largest feeding grounds for wildlife in Europe.
Ray spots egrets hunting for food, before searching for food himself when he gathers reedmace pollen to make a tasty pancake. He also finds a colony of young herons nesting in nearby woodland and takes a close look at the striking but ferocious emperor dragonfly, a creature that has remained unchanged for 250 million years.
But the highlight of the trip for Ray has to be catching a glimpse of an otter gliding through the water at dusk.
Ray Mears on the set of 'Wild Britain'
Broadcast date: Monday, 25 October 2010, 8:00PM – 8:30PM
Episode 3: Hay Meadow – Ray Mears explores the countryside of Somerset
In episode three, Ray Mears explores a quintessential British habitat – the hay meadow. He travels to the Mendip hills in Somerset, where nearly half of Britain’s hay meadows and unimproved grasslands can be found filled with a beautiful and diverse mix of wild-flowers and grasses. Continue reading
Ray Mears on the set of 'Wild Britain'
Broadcast date: Monday, 18 October 2010, 8:00PM – 8:30PM
Episode 2: Shingle Shore – Ray Mears explores the north Norfolk coast in East Anglia
In the second episode of the series, Ray Mears explores Britain’s shingle shore, which covers 10,000 miles of our coastline. Ray is on the north Norfolk coast in East Anglia, one of the few places in Britain where large areas of shingle beach, sand dunes and salt marsh sit alongside each other.
Episode One - Deciduous Forest
For those of you who missed the first episode of Ray’s new series last night, fear not – the full episode can now be watched online on the ITV Player for free, from the following link:
Wild Britain with Ray Mears – Episode One
Ray Mears on the set of ‘Wild Britain’
Broadcast date: Monday, 11 October 2010, 8:00PM – 8:30PM
Episode 1: Deciduous Forest – Ray Mears in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
I love the forest. The more time I spend within it, the more connected to this secret world I become. Five hundred years ago, three quarters of Britain would have looked like this. We’re lucky that there are still places today where we can witness this incredible wildlife first hand. – Ray Mears
This Autumn sees a brand new series coming to our screens with Ray Mears exploring the wildlife of Britain. The following is ITV’s official press release:
Ray Mears on the set of his new ITV series ‘Wild Britain’
In a brand new series for ITV1, Ray Mears takes viewers on an incredible, eye-opening journey in high definition, shot at beautiful locations around Britain.
Wild Britain With Ray Mears sees the wildlife expert uncover some of our finest habitats and rejoice in our fascinating wildlife, showing viewers how we can all find our own relationship with the wild, even in places close to our homes. Continue reading
The Ray Mears & Woodlore Bushcraft Blog 