Woodlore

Customer Feedback

Arctic Experience, 2008

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Arctic experience course which I completed last week. The facilities in Sweden were superb and Ray, Lars, Paul and James ensured a good time was had by all and more importantly, the necessary skills were learnt. The week highlighted what is needed to survive in such a stunning but harsh environment and it generated an element of great respect on all those who attended the course. Please pass on my thanks once again to all involved, it was a terrific experience.

P.S. I'm already missing the food; it was excellent!

Journeyman 2007

It has given me an appreciation of how hard hunter-gatherer lifestyles really are. It showed me that we all have the ability to do things that are really hard, all we need is the determination and resolve to strive (and survive).

I would highly recommend this course, although it is not for the faint hearted. The combination of skilled, motivated staff aided by renowned experts allows them to deliver an experience second to none.

Introduction to Bushcraft 2007

Greetings All. Just returned from 2 fantastic days on the "Introduction to Bushcraft" course.

The instructors included Bob, Rob and Mike, three more helpful and friendly people you won’t find anywhere. The information that they possessed individually and together was out of this world and the way they show you as well as explain it is really easy to understand and take in, the camp atmosphere was fantastic considering there were 20 strangers put together to carry out these tasks that were set (of course with a mug of tea in the one hand at all times.) So, if you're reading this just thinking about one of the courses, my advice would be to "just do it" you will really enjoy yourselves.

Thanks to all the Woodlore team that I met and the ones that I didn't, I'll definitely be doing the fundamental course as soon as a place becomes available. (man, my girlfriends bored of me going on about it already.)

Family Bushcraft 2007

I felt I had to write to express our thanks, as a family, for the truly delightful weekend that we have just spent on the Family Buscraft course.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and it was a privilege to meet and be guided by your staff. With his wonderfully gentle manner, Bob kept us all under control and managed to impart a great deal of his knowledge. I really appreciated the way he seemed to have a word for everyone, and was generous with his advice. He was, of course, given great and full support by the enthusiastic and capable Yella, Mike and Dan. Please pass on our thanks once again to all of them.

We could easily have spent much more time in their company. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to do so in the future.

The weekend served as a great introduction to outdoor living for our two boys, and has refreshed and expanded our ideas of what this subject is about.

Canoeing in the Ardeche, 2007

Like everyone else on the trip I had such an excellent time last week, really enjoyed it.

The Woodlore team has the rare ability to deliver an outstanding service using a unique combination of professionalism and humour. The experience from booking the trip to departure from Pont D'arc was flawless, and the care and personal touches provided by the support team of Jane, Di & Shelley (especially at the final dinner) made us all feel very special.

As far as the minor event of paddling is concerned, it was a treat and a real honour to be taught by two of the country's (or possibly the world's) best coaches. I know that all of the splashers would like to thank Ray Goodwin and Richard for their wisdom, patience and ability to keep cool (laughing) when some of us were going round in circles and demolishing their equipment. Their true dedication to the sport and in making this experience personal, exciting and memorable will certainly stay in my mind and heart for a long time.

I would finally like to thank Ray M who happened to join us on this journey for, without his passion, this type of experience may never have been available to us.

This is an encounter with nature that everyone should enjoy at least once in their lives and I would, of course, recommend undertaking it with the Woodlore team.

May I express my heartfelt and sincere thanks for you putting up with me for a whole week in such an idyllic place as the Ardeche Gorge. The best canoe course I've ever been on. You'll learn more skills on this course than any I've experienced in the UK. Staff superb, venue stunning, and experience unequaled.

Introduction to Nordic Skiing, 2007

Just returned from a great week in Norway on the "Introduction to Nordic Skiing" course, which is very accurately described on the website. It was challenging but rewarding and Brian, the team leader, deserved a medal for patience and sense of humour. The course was well organised and it’s hard to believe that we learnt so much in such a short space of time.

The website recommends that you are "average fitness" but my feedback would be that it is worth getting a bit fitter beforehand, as falling down and getting back up is very tiring!

Only one of the ten of us in our team had done cross-country skiing before, but we all left with a reasonable level of competence. However, downhill skiers beware – this is a very different kettle of fish. Don't come with any preconceptions and pick your crash site!

Brian is very organised and an excellent leader, which was particularly important as we had pretty bad weather, especially on our two-day trek. Knowing that Brian was looking out for our safety meant that we could concentrate on the skiing.

I have to admit I felt slightly daunted at the prospect of the expedition but so did some of the others and I think even Brian must have wondered on day one how he was going to lick us into shape! Anyway, it's good to have faced a challenge and pulled it off. The Norwegian hut system is great and we were all delighted to have reached our destination.

This is a well-structured course that gives a good impression of what is likely to be involved in the "Heroes of Telemark" Expedition and provides a comfortable and beautiful environment in which to start to learn the skills required.

I can highly recommend this course and cross country skiing. We had a blast and I'd like to do it again. I could certainly do with the practice!

Arctic Experience, 2006

I thought I would take this opportunity to write and thank the whole team involved on the above course for providing an experience and education incomparable with anything I have previously undertaken.

For the last eighteen months since booking a place on the course there has been much anticipation as to what the course might involve, what the environment would be like and indeed what it would be like living and working in Arctic Sweden for a week. All of my preconceptions have hugely underestimated the beauty of the area, the complexity of working in the environment and the length and detail Woodlore go to ensure that you obtain the best education from the best educators available.

Unquestionably I have learnt bushcraft skills which I will ensure stay with me for the rest of my life. The team and I made many mistakes which whilst overcome also offered an invaluable education which will not be forgotten. Preparation and attention to detail are prerequisites that have to be learnt quickly but mistakes and problems still occur and it is this which tests you. The course has reinforced in me the need for mental strength, tenacity and the ability to keep throwing yourself onto the fray even when things have gone wrong. The attitude of the "cup is always half full and never half empty" seems the only way to approach this environment.

The accommodation was in every sense superb and the food, particular Friday nights farewell meal was as good if not better than I have enjoyed in any restaurant anywhere in the world a credit to the chef and his team working in a confined kitchen. Marina at Lappeasuando is the kind of host who conveys a warmth and generosity not often displayed in this day and age.

As for Ray and Lars, it was a pleasure to meet them both and to be able to talk about all manor of things and feel that they had a genuine interest in listening as well as talking. It was enthralling to watch Ray demonstrating his skills and to observe his passion for bushcraft at close hand. Lars appears to be an individual whom is un-phased by any situation other than perhaps losing his pipe.

My only regret is that time passed too quickly and that time to practice new learnt skills is limited.

Thank you once again and I hope that I can participate in more of your courses in the future.