Yearly Archives: 2015


Lean-To Debris Shelter 6

I’ve written posts previously about debris shelters, including this one describing how to build a one person kennel and this one showing you how to build a 2 person kennel.  Although we’ve had lean-to debris shelters at our ancient woodland camp for a good few years I haven’t got around to writing about them previously. […]

making a bed for a debris shelter | lean-to debris shelter

IOL Bushcraft Competency ‘Hall of Fame’

The Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) Bushcraft Professional Practice Group (PPG) has developed the Bushcraft Competency Award, Certificate & Diploma and they’re fast becoming the de facto standard.  You can find out more about the awards on the IOL website here. The assessment is carried out by one the IOL’s approved assessors. Jack Raven Bushcraft […]


Haw-sin Sauce 1

Nicola has been at it again and made another great preserve from the versatile hawthorn – a delicious haw-sin sauce.  We’ve had it in the past with pan-fried pigeon breast and it was absolutely wonderful.  We’ll be having that particular combination on our autumn foraging course coming up shortly.  This latest batch was served with steak, […]

Making things with hawthorn berries, haws

hawthorn leather | foraging | Kent

Hawthorn Leather 3

Nicola made some hawthorn leather during the week, with a few blackberries added in to give a little sweetness.  Here’s how she made it. Collect a good helping of haws and a handful of blackberries.  Nicola used a traditional trug.  Leave them outside for a little while to allow any insects to make an escape. […]


How to make your own forge

This post was written by Ross Berry, our resident blacksmith and shows you how to make your own forge.  Thanks Ross. Backwoods Blacksmithing If you’ve ever wanted to be able to make some of your own bushcraft kit, such as knives and traditional fire steels, but thought that building a forge was out of your […]

Woodland pit forge in use

Letterboxing on Dartmoor

Letterboxing 4

I was fortunate to grow up in the west country with  Dartmoor on my back doorstep.  I was also fortunate to be allowed to venture out onto it at a fairly young age.  I would regularly spend 4 or 5 days at a time out hiking across the moor with friends, generally in a group […]