Saturday, July 18

Birthday Competition

There's still one week left to enter this site's birthday competition here

There's a variety of goodies to choose from.

Go on - who can resist when the magic word FREE is involved.

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// posted by John Hee @ 7/18/2009 07:33:00 AM  0 comments links to this post

Sunday, July 12

BBC Wild Camping

Did you catch Sunday's BBC 1 Countryfile piece on How to Wildcamp?

I smelt trouble brewing as I tried to work out as to just why they chose their apparently featureless wildcamp pitch.

But as we all know from our own trips there is always rescue and a friendly farmer's dry barn not too far away.

Ahem

Looks like the hordes will be staying away from this pastime for a little while longer.
;-)

Now where can I get that all important training from, so I can go out there and try it for myself?

(This is the third rewrite of this - the other two really did rip the piss out of this!)

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// posted by John Hee @ 7/12/2009 07:32:00 PM  8 comments links to this post

Thursday, July 9

Scottish Ramblers - One idea can change the world

Not quite the phrase I was originally fumbling for. But the words, reportedly the personal motto of Hasan Ozbekhan, seemed far more relevant for today's drooling from a darkening box room desk.

Fancy starting a revolution? (yep - the Internet has a DIY Guide even for this)

Its a personal fancy of mine to wildcamp at remote locations, far from those infamous maddening crowds. In fact far from everyone else really.

Its an idea that seems to be slowly catching on as first Blogpackinglight caught onto the idea, and now Bearded Git has spotted the appeal.

The true joy of such a simple concept is that it is one so easily achieved, but highly selective of those that wish to embrace it. For the true Advocate needs the Urge, some Self Reliance, Motivation from within, and the Will to follow their own path.

Oh, and a map and compass help.

But not this way...



That lone voice in the crowd, the true personification of individuality, their very action contradicting their statement with that immortal line "I'm Not".

Every time I watch this clip I find myself cheering that solitary voice, as if the scene was written as my own private joke. An arrogant viewpoint, as I've discovered many of you on the wildcamping scene seem to have a similar reaction to the lone voice, and how it can be expressed.

Every idea has a start. That moment when a single thought becomes a spoken word. Communication that is in tune with zeitgeist either through some enforcing action (We're off to war - come join us) or on a gentler level a pervasive understanding of an need, not previously understood, which calls to be fulfilled.

Sometimes, Gandhi like, the Idea will Change The World. More often ideas become assuaged, maimed & distorted by fashion, culture, society or merely the passing of time.

Which brings me to the the Ramblers proposal to close their regional offices, a predictably emotive idea already reported in some detail by Chris Townsend and Cameron McNeish.

We find Cameron, in his latest post, in an understandably angry mood. But one already reflecting on some of the underlying issues. Scotland, proud of establishing a devolved country as a working alternative to a centrally imposed government. Ramblers, a national organisation that appears to have lost contact with a substantial part of its grass root membership. One that has been highly supportive of the organisation's ideals and campaigns over many years.

My own small idea is a personal one, that some readers may find appealing for their own trips.

Outdoor personalities such as Chris & Cameron have a much bigger idea to consider. One with the potential to rip apart a national organisation. Perhaps even moving towards separate and independent regional groups, with their own aims, funding & membership.

Interesting times ahead.

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// posted by John Hee @ 7/09/2009 10:05:00 PM  9 comments links to this post

Wednesday, July 8

The Competition - Enter Here

I've thought long and hard about setting some suitably fiendish questions in celebration of this site's third birthday.

Much of it wasted activity to be honest, as even I couldn't answer some of the original ideas that my warped persona came up with.

So back to basics it is then. But slightly challenging as the prizes warrant a little effort. After all - can't make it too easy can we? I have a reputation to uphold.

Hmm. Anyway - the questions all have answers somewhere on this site, except the Tie-Breaker.

To enter - merely leave your answers in the COMMENTS ON THIS POST ONLY between now (8/7/09) and midnight on July 25th 2009.

Q1. Why did I originally start backpacking?

Q2. In Hincheslea Wood I saw something rise from the ashes - what was the object in question?

Q3. What is the make & model of my tent?

Tie-Breaker: How many page loads will I get on July 25th 2009?
(Hint: I've had around 16.5k so far this year)

Prizes, as if you need reminding, are:

Rules

  • 1 entry per person
  • In the event all 3 answers are correct the Tie Breaker will be used to determine the order of Winner 1, 2 etc
  • If less than 3 answers are correct, and prizes remain, the Tie Breaker will be used to determine the order of the remaining Winners
  • Winner 1 will be offered their pick of the goody bag; Winner 2 next choice etc etc
  • In the event prizes remain, or are not claimed by the end of July I may offer them up on a first come, first served basis.
  • My decision is autocratic, despotic, unilateral. And final.

Best of luck.

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// posted by John Hee @ 7/08/2009 09:36:00 PM  6 comments links to this post

Wednesday, July 1

..And the prizes on the conveyor belt are...

Competition prizes will include:

So if that's whetted your appetite, keep watching for details on how to enter.

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// posted by John Hee @ 7/01/2009 10:33:00 PM  1 comments links to this post

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