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Fletching
26-04-2011, 10:48 AM
I thought I'd get at least one Woodlore bushcraft course under my belt and I booked this before I knew about the Cornwall RV.

Woodlore's Introduction to Bushcraft course was their cheapest bushcraft course, so here's my thoughts on the course:

Well, they certainly pack a lot of instruction into this two day course! First impressions were that there were quite a lot of people in this particular course group (at seventeen strong), but it turned out that with three instructors and an assistant, this equates to just over four people per member of the Woodlore team, which is a very good instruction ratio.

Instruction covered all of the basics including:


Setting up a hoochie and bivi with the Evenk slippery figure-of-eight, tarp taut hitch and slippery adjustable loop for pegs.
Constructing (and deconstructing) a two-person leaf litter shelter.
Fire by friction (including a very good 'how to' for making a bow drill), chemicals, solar, firesteel and good old flint 'n' steel and the use of various tinders, including charcloth, birch bark and sweet chesnut inner bark (which was foraged).
Fire construction, siting and removal.
Water location and purification.
Kit bag contents and packing methods.
Food preparation (including bannock and some delicious 'spatchcocked' salmon grilled next to the fire in split sticks a la Wild Britain).
Tree identification and their main uses for bushcraft.
Edible/medicinal plants - not in-depth, but a good starting point for those into foraging.


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Use of cutting tools was covered in a basic manner with regard to knife care and saw use, but this is a 'no cutting tool' course, which makes sense as this course was designed for beginners. The instructors were all first-aid trained and carried a kit with them at all times (along with a Bahco and Woodlore knife)

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All food was provided and activities were usually carried-out in teams in a fun and competitive spirit. There were communal areas for food preparation, washing-up, a teaching ring of logs, a 'tea tent' parachute-covered area with log seats with a large kettle always on the go and, of course, a dunny pit. This course was carried-out at quite a fast pace but considering the amount of topics covered, it was well thought out and executed. You can see why people come away with a real sense of achievement.

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The course is held on a site in East Sussex situated on a private farm in a beautiful bluebell-carpeted forest comprised mainly of sweet chestnut and holly with a few yews and oaks and there were plenty of pheasants about. Through the night, owls could be heard and on a couple of occasions, I could make out the distinctive call of the cuckoo. It helped that there was glorious weather on this course, but even in colder weather, with the amount of physical activity carried out, I doubt that you would be cold or uncomfortable. The guys were even very accommodating for a cripple like me!

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The quality of instruction was top-notch and all the guys (James, Keith, Darren and Steve) were utterly passionate about bushcraft and it showed. Woodlore courses are not cheap compared to other providers, but you do get excellent instruction and the added kudos of having the Woodlore brand attached to it. If I was completely new to bushcraft, this course would've opened my eyes and you can see why Woodlore courses are usually fully booked months in advance and also why they have a high course follow-on ratio. Basic, yes, but very comprehensive and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Overall rating:

Location
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paul standley
26-04-2011, 03:52 PM
Looks great Fletch...Nice pics .

That looks like a hell of a bow drill spindle/hearth in your last picture...!

Fletching
26-04-2011, 06:53 PM
Looks great Fletch...Nice pics .

That looks like a hell of a bow drill spindle/hearth in your last picture...!

That's a team bowdrill! :)

JonnyP
26-04-2011, 07:39 PM
Good review.. :0)

RobbC
26-04-2011, 08:31 PM
Great review Fletch! Looks like a lot of fun.

Robb

Ben Casey
26-04-2011, 08:51 PM
Looks like you had a good time :)

mark
26-04-2011, 09:09 PM
this is the course that the wife now regrets buying for my birthday which now takes up most of my time.

Ashley Cawley
27-04-2011, 12:44 PM
Great review & photography, thanks for taking the time to do it Steve. Glad you enjoyed it :)

Fletching
27-04-2011, 01:13 PM
Great review & photography, thanks for taking the time to do it Steve. Glad you enjoyed it :)

No probs mate. Could we get smaller stars (same as the rest of the icons)? :)

Steve

JEEP
27-04-2011, 08:58 PM
Looks like you had an excellent time. I have been considering this course myself, I may have to take the jump sometime next year.

Did you get to break in your new knife?

Fletching
27-04-2011, 09:11 PM
Looks like you had an excellent time. I have been considering this course myself, I may have to take the jump sometime next year.

Did you get to break in your new knife?

I did, but I had to keep it clandestine! ;)

I showed it to one of the Woodlore guys who promptly started feathering with it and was very impressed.

JEEP
27-04-2011, 09:52 PM
Good to hear :D