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They Filled up Our Heads to Spare Us Our Backs

Here are some lovely words and pictures from Woodlore student Tom Wilson, who attended the Woodlore Fundamental Bushcraft course on 27th May this year. He felt inspired on the train on his way home to write the following:

A leaf litter shelter built on the Fundamental Bushcraft course

A leaf litter shelter built on the Fundamental Bushcraft course

From the tarps and the shelters we did rise,

With stretches and yawns, our smiles reached to the eyes,

And so one by one we all made our way,

Back to where last night our fire was laid,

Awoken the embers from their ashen bed,

To their breakfast of wood, good, dry, wholesome and dead.

So soon was the kettle put on for a brew,

Talk began on what we were to do,

Though to some these could have been dull chores,

Relaxing and enjoying a brew on the Fundamental Bushcraft course

Relaxing and enjoying a brew on the Fundamental Bushcraft course

We relished in our task and were never to be bored.

We built our comforts from roots, barks and sticks,

Under the instruction of the wise who taught skills but no tricks,

And attentive students we all tried to be,

For they shared out their knowledge so that we could be free,

From modern day gimmicks and overweight packs,

They filled up our heads to spare us our backs,

They taught us to respect and leave not a trace,

For the land which we love is so hard to replace.

And so in this way the days too quickly passed,

But friendships were formed that are destined to last,

And though there came the time to take our own trails,

We are left armed with the knowledge so we should not fail.

The group at the end of the Fundamental Bushcraft course

The group at the end of the Fundamental Bushcraft course

Thank you to all the Woodlore team and especially to Nick, Ross and Callum for all their time, patience and effort they put into making the course what it was.

- Tom Wilson

About

Woodlore, School of Wilderness Buchcraft was founded in 1983, by the British Bushcraft and survival expert Ray Mears. Woodlore began as a relatively unknown company, offering a small selection of courses on bushcraft techniques. With Ray's ambition and perserverance, Woodlore has since grown into a world-renowned and highly respected school, offering in-depth courses on a wide range of bushcraft and survival subjects. In addition to training, Woodlore now also provides some of the finest outdoors equipment from around the world, carefully selected on the basis of our extensive experience.

3 Responses to “They Filled up Our Heads to Spare Us Our Backs” - most recent displayed first

  1. February 2nd, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    will bowman says:

    Hi, when I went on my bushcraft course I was shown one shelter like this. Your courses are amazing, I’m having one for my party.

  2. June 25th, 2012 at 9:39 am

    David Happold says:

    Survivals Scales

    Sleeping in the woods

    Underneath a ‘tarp’

    Staying warm and dry

    An important place to start

    From branches in the woods

    With piles of leaves and moss

    A shelter was erected

    For two who might be lost

    Knowing how to make a fire

    Even in the rain

    Keeping warm and alive

    Your most important aim

    Knowing what is food

    And what can do you harm

    Can sustain the inner man

    And contribute to your calm

    Learning how to read a map

    To know which way to go

    Use of a compass and the sun

    Can save much to and fro

    So many things we can use

    The woods are well equipped

    Its only with the knowledge

    That survivals scales are tipped

  3. June 13th, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Catherine Day says:

    Wonderful. Well done…

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