Survivalist?

[Optimystic]

Where i live in Sussex, we are surrounded by forests.. some larger than others.. a few months ago we went for a walk around one, having not been there before we just wandered about trying to remember our way back.. we worked around in a circle.. on coming around from the bottom back up to where we started i heard a crack, like someone stepped on a twig.. looked around and saw nothing,.. noone other than us there... carried on a bit further coming up and around the direction i heard the noise.. as i looked properly, there was a man mande wooden/leaf covered tent in amongst the trees, with an army camp bed inside.. open both ends! But no one around!.. Could we have a survivalist in our midst?..

[tfish]

the guy whos tent it was is probably asking his mates "do we have some loonys in our midsts" After he saw some Nort Faced up people wandering in circles around the forest.

[Optimystic]

lolol.. not north faced here.. just wanders on a walk..lol. Was a bit creepy to be honest.. felt like we was beign wacthed..

[tfish]

there a good few hermits and forest tramps in this country, wouldnt be suprised if theres illegal immigrants hiding out in the woods as well down sarf.

i wouldnt say you are ever far from another person even in the countryside in england, different in scotland though.

remember this next time you go for pee

[decoy111]

I think (as a young person), a lot of people, are scared of woods. We might find this odd, but I deal with a homeless people as a job. And I dont get it, if I was homeless, I would walk to the largest woods, and set up scavenging and living as best I could. Ofcourse not being more then a days walk from the nearest housing office & soup kitchen.
But many homeless people don't, they sleep in groups under bridges or in graveyards, involved in drink/drugs/crime/domestic violence and cash converters.

Myself, a friend and my OH, went camping at the back end of summer last year. I said we could only take what we could carry, we slept in a small pine woodland with a tarpulin above us. We made a sort of U shape wind break with fallen trees, for 18 hours we saw nobody, until we walked to a village where my car was less then a mile away.

I think woodlands really do creep people out, I know the UK is densly populated, but I think few people would venture far from there homes even when food does become hard to get. Incidently some veterans who are homless in the north east have told stories of camping up in woodland and walking into town for food or housing info.

You should make up a forum buisness card and stick it on his bed next time?

[Optimystic]

Hiya Decoy...

I guess you could be right about the woods for some ppl.. i quite like them myself but i admit i do tend to get a tad creeped out by the thought of someone watching me and the possibilty that i might come to harm by them
As a female prancing around the woods by myself isnt something i fancy doing in order to leave a card on some strangers bed!..lol

Opti

[skippy]

As an ex military and ex countryside ranger I have to say that I feel totally at home in the woods, however I would prefer not to be alone at night for obvious reasons. A quick tip however if you do feel out of place, being watched, just downright nervous in the woods I can recommend the following.
Go to the woods early on a bright clear day... take everything you need to be comfortable but unseen for a few hours. food, a flask, binoculars, mobile phone (on mute) and wear clothing that blends in with your surroundings.
Then become invisible for a few hours. Stay in one small area and set yourself up in a hide or comfortable spot that is not easily seen. Do some birdwatching,people watching, take notes on the wildlife and movements of people in and around the woodland (remember you are quite ligitimatly birdwatching;)) and it is amazing the feeling of empowerment that comes from being the watcher. It improves your fieldcraft, gives you a great background on how that particular bit of woodland is used and by what and whom and it is also a very plesant way to spend a few hours. You will find yourself smiling at how close the wildlife will come and how close the people will walk by without seeing you ....... One point is that dogs will often find you but as long as you are not easily seen the owners will walk right by.

It will also give you a chance to practice setting up a cold camp or similar.

All good stuff

Skippy

[buttystella]

I was walking in Wharnclife woods on the outskirts of Sheffield when i stumbled on a couple of teenagers mating, best way to put it, i moved away quietly and they were no wiser to my noticing them.

when i was much younger i had two small daughters, not much money and needed a xmas tree. Into the woods i went to take one of those forestry planted trees that they use for fence posts. I had spotted this tree in daylight and took my saw to it about midnight when it was dark. I found the tree without a torch took hold of it thinking how quiet it was at night, when there was a flapping and commotion that startled me as much as i had probably startled the bird. Of all the bloody trees to roost in, it was worth it though when the girls saw it up and dressed for xmas. Yes i know it was very naughty and i wont do it again, got one of them plastic ones now.

[silverfox]

Yes i know it was very naughty and i wont do it again, got one of them plastic ones now.

What was that you said to me a few posts ago about being a prepper and very very NAUGHTY

[buttystella]

silverf He who is without blame, not me, You have a good memory sf, mine is waning now but i was very naughty cant deny it, but i have turned over a new tree now soz leaf.