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Campfire cooking in the woodlands

By on April 27, 2016 in Bread Baking, Bushcraft, Campfire Cooking

This short film was recorded during one of David’s Fire and Feast (formerly Backwoods Cooking) courses – set in a private Chilterns woodland in Buckinghamshire. So what could you expect from a day of backwoods cookery? As you will see in this film, you can expect to be baking, steaming, roasting and cooking on a campfire!

Google review “Can’t be a much better way of spending a day outside than learning … and trying … different campfire cooking techniques. Lamb roasted in a fire pit accompanied by foraged wild garlic and salad leaves, sea bass steamed in moss, ponassed trout and two different types of bread … all prepared, cooked and consumed in the one-day course (Backwoods Cooking) set in beautiful private woodland (currently carpeted with bluebells) in south Bucks. I am an experienced “bushcrafter” but have never managed to persuade my wife and daughter to join me in the woods for weekend (or longer) courses, but they were made to feel really comfortable and had a very enjoyable day … it might not be so hard to persuade them to go again!” from Bill

Thank you to those who joined me for this Backwoods Cooking course and for agreeing to be in this film and Dean Butler for filming and editing.

Find out more and book a place on Fire and Feast

Wonderful new woodland for Bushcraft in Buckinghamshire

By on May 14, 2015 in Buckinghamshire, Bushcraft, Chilterns, Flora, Natural History
A view into the new Bushcraft location in Buckinghamshire

A view into the new Bushcraft location in Buckinghamshire

Here are a few pictures of the wonderful woodland that I am now using to run Bushcraft courses, activities and events in Buckinghamshire. As anyone who has enjoyed a walk through the Chilterns will confirm, we do have some lovely woodlands and these are a great example.

New woodland camp for Bushcraft in Buckinghamshire

New woodland camp for Bushcraft in Buckinghamshire

Situated just off a quite country lane, next to stables and livery, this private woodland is a peaceful location, an ideal spot for running Bushcraft activities.

The new Bushcraft location has lots of lovely wild garlic

The new Bushcraft location has lots of lovely wild garlic

Simply spending time in this woodland, listening to the birds that are high up in the tree tops, sipping a cup of nettle or ground ivy tea, you can’t help but feel relaxed and more attuned to nature. Every time I’m in the woods, I can’t help but have a smile on my face and I hope you do to when you visit.

There's lots of wonderful ground ivy around the new Bushcraft camp

There’s lots of wonderful ground ivy around the new Bushcraft camp

The woodland comprises huge mature oak, sycamore and ash trees. The base camp is nestled between two fine examples.

It has an understorey of hawthorn, holly and hazel around the boundaries and an area of younger trees of circa 15-20 years. As you will see from the pictures, whilst there is lots of tree cover, we also have many gaps in the canopy to let the sun shine through and plenty of dappled shade for when summer arrives!

Bluebells surround the new Bushcraft area in Buckinghamshire

Bluebells surround the new Bushcraft area in Buckinghamshire

Down at ground level, there are badger sets and many rabbit warrens. In this area of the Chilterns there are quite a few Muntjac deer and I have heard and seen them grazing and moving stealthily through the woods.

I suspect the Muntjac, perhaps like the other fauna here in the woodland, is wondering who has moved into their corner of the countryside. There is certainly going to be plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching.

Spring time in this wood is fantastic, there is a beautiful display of wild garlic (yes I’ve been using them in my cooking) and bluebells too.  I’m looking forward to observing the changes in the seasons as the year progresses.