Alex, couple of items: cayenne pepper sprinkled in wool socks will keep your feet warm even if wet. Also sprinkle on a cut stops bleeding. Add some to bland foods for spice.
You never mentioned a hat. I always wear one to keep head warm.
I do keep a daily journal and record my dreams that often inspire to write a story.
I’ll take time to read other posts. Enjoyed your adventure.
Thank you so much for commenting! I love cayenne, and always carry some when I head into the woods (along with several other herbs, spices, condiments—I really enjoy backwoods cookery). I’ve never used it on my feet, however, but do remember reading something about that (some years after the adventure I’m currently sharing).
As for hats, being a bit challenged in the hair area, I find them essential, especially at night. The two I had then are the two I still use most now, a merino wool tube which I turn into a double-layered beanie, and then a double-layered merino and possum fur beanie too, which is ridiculously warm and light (and endorsed by the World Wildlife Fund, as the possums are from New Zealand, where they are not native—the fur is a by-product of the eradication programme, which makes me happy their lives didn’t go to waste).
Re-reading journals is such a powerful thing to be able to do. And dreams in particular are very strange things to revisit. I’m glad you also keep notes!
Thanks again for this, I hope you enjoy the other posts too!
That’s a super policy. I’ve heard good things about the Tilly hats from a number of people.
For wide-brimmed protection, I have a 1930s fedora I picked up in a charity shop 25+ years ago, and it’s still going strong! I had to add an extra internal leather band when my hair departed, to get it to fit again, but otherwise I suspect it will outlast me!
Yes! I got a lot of my early camping and outdoor gear from such places (still have a lot of it, too, it just keeps going, unlike much of the more modern clothing and equipment!).
Brilliant. So much to think about. I wonder to what extent cave paintings were influenced by dreams? No time right now except to say thanks, what a privilege to gain access to your knowledge and daring. Amazing Alexander.
I’m fairly sure cave paintings were—and are—a dream and a memory of a dream. (If you are ever in this corner of the world, you should visit Chauvet Deux in Ardèche, it is a remarkable achievement to replicate the famous paintings and their cave environment, but it feels believable.)
I have thought a lot about shamanism and dreams, about paintings and representation of visions. It is something I find fascinating. Oh, and it won’t come as a surprise to you that I used some charcoal and natural paints to decorate the stones within my shelter. My red deer actually worked out rather well, but I preferred the spirals, I think.
What a skill to have! I think of myself as medium off-grid savvy. But in all honesty, I’m probably more light off-grid savvy. 🤣 I particularly enjoyed learning about the building of the shelter.
I do keep a log, especially when traveling. I’m not keeping up on it currently—despite knowing (from experience) future me will be much more pleased if I do. I’ll take your query as a reminder. Thanks!
I have found it rather remarkable, being able to reread every page of my journals (last year, when I shared an earlier version of this adventure, I only had photos of some of the pages—this year, it is fascinating being able to really get into those notes and details. So much I’d forgotten!) It has also made me really pay attention to my current journal too, which can only be a good thing, as you yourself say!
As far as being light off-grid savvy, in my experience anyone who thinks or proclaims themselves to be an expert usually isn’t. Anyone who considers themselves a student of the subject, and can’t quite decide how good they are, is probably better placed than many youtube/armchair experts…! Sometimes, I end up in a conversation on the subject and surprise myself with how much I know, but I still end up considering how much I don’t yet know, instead…
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate that, and you reading!
Thank you so much for the mention Alex, once again I have read and hung on your every word despite already knowing much of your adventure. Strange dreams indeed, but perhaps with your head emptying of the usual day to day grind of get up, work, eat, go to sleep and begin again, your mind was more open to elaborate stories and imaginings? I'm no expert here though...
Either I missed the Note on the timber structure of your woodland home or have simply forgotten how beautiful it was... I always think it is a crime against the carpenter to cover up a beautiful timber structure with what ever the building necessitates, it is, after all an art in itself, your is no exception!
I agree wholeheartedly about timber structures, there is a lot of wonder to be found in such skeletons. Although my favourite period of archaeology is much, much older, I always enjoyed studying standing buildings archaeology, there’s something quite magical about learning how a thing is made, and made to last. My own wee shelter was ridiculously strong, thanks to that frame, when I was thatching the rear part, it was too high to reach parts, so I just climbed up, and the oak easily held my weight.
Thank you for coming along on this adventure again, I really appreciate you reading—there is quite a lot more woven in this year, as I can read every page of those journals this year, not just the select few I had photographs of. I’m also not holding back as much when it comes to the more spiritual side of this, along with my emotions and how I was changed by the whole.
Alex, couple of items: cayenne pepper sprinkled in wool socks will keep your feet warm even if wet. Also sprinkle on a cut stops bleeding. Add some to bland foods for spice.
You never mentioned a hat. I always wear one to keep head warm.
I do keep a daily journal and record my dreams that often inspire to write a story.
I’ll take time to read other posts. Enjoyed your adventure.
Thank you so much for commenting! I love cayenne, and always carry some when I head into the woods (along with several other herbs, spices, condiments—I really enjoy backwoods cookery). I’ve never used it on my feet, however, but do remember reading something about that (some years after the adventure I’m currently sharing).
As for hats, being a bit challenged in the hair area, I find them essential, especially at night. The two I had then are the two I still use most now, a merino wool tube which I turn into a double-layered beanie, and then a double-layered merino and possum fur beanie too, which is ridiculously warm and light (and endorsed by the World Wildlife Fund, as the possums are from New Zealand, where they are not native—the fur is a by-product of the eradication programme, which makes me happy their lives didn’t go to waste).
Re-reading journals is such a powerful thing to be able to do. And dreams in particular are very strange things to revisit. I’m glad you also keep notes!
Thanks again for this, I hope you enjoy the other posts too!
Good info. I wear a Tilly hat made in Canada. UV protection and guarantee for life. Company even replaced stolen out my car.
That’s a super policy. I’ve heard good things about the Tilly hats from a number of people.
For wide-brimmed protection, I have a 1930s fedora I picked up in a charity shop 25+ years ago, and it’s still going strong! I had to add an extra internal leather band when my hair departed, to get it to fit again, but otherwise I suspect it will outlast me!
Good thinking. The old U. S. surplus stores and thrift stores are good sources.
Yes! I got a lot of my early camping and outdoor gear from such places (still have a lot of it, too, it just keeps going, unlike much of the more modern clothing and equipment!).
I assume you have researched Native American and other indigenous building structures.
Brilliant. So much to think about. I wonder to what extent cave paintings were influenced by dreams? No time right now except to say thanks, what a privilege to gain access to your knowledge and daring. Amazing Alexander.
I’m fairly sure cave paintings were—and are—a dream and a memory of a dream. (If you are ever in this corner of the world, you should visit Chauvet Deux in Ardèche, it is a remarkable achievement to replicate the famous paintings and their cave environment, but it feels believable.)
I have thought a lot about shamanism and dreams, about paintings and representation of visions. It is something I find fascinating. Oh, and it won’t come as a surprise to you that I used some charcoal and natural paints to decorate the stones within my shelter. My red deer actually worked out rather well, but I preferred the spirals, I think.
I love you painting your cave, man that's wonderful :)
Thanks! Compared to the originals, it was crude, but I enjoyed it, nevertheless.
What a skill to have! I think of myself as medium off-grid savvy. But in all honesty, I’m probably more light off-grid savvy. 🤣 I particularly enjoyed learning about the building of the shelter.
I do keep a log, especially when traveling. I’m not keeping up on it currently—despite knowing (from experience) future me will be much more pleased if I do. I’ll take your query as a reminder. Thanks!
I have found it rather remarkable, being able to reread every page of my journals (last year, when I shared an earlier version of this adventure, I only had photos of some of the pages—this year, it is fascinating being able to really get into those notes and details. So much I’d forgotten!) It has also made me really pay attention to my current journal too, which can only be a good thing, as you yourself say!
As far as being light off-grid savvy, in my experience anyone who thinks or proclaims themselves to be an expert usually isn’t. Anyone who considers themselves a student of the subject, and can’t quite decide how good they are, is probably better placed than many youtube/armchair experts…! Sometimes, I end up in a conversation on the subject and surprise myself with how much I know, but I still end up considering how much I don’t yet know, instead…
Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate that, and you reading!
Thank you so much for the mention Alex, once again I have read and hung on your every word despite already knowing much of your adventure. Strange dreams indeed, but perhaps with your head emptying of the usual day to day grind of get up, work, eat, go to sleep and begin again, your mind was more open to elaborate stories and imaginings? I'm no expert here though...
Either I missed the Note on the timber structure of your woodland home or have simply forgotten how beautiful it was... I always think it is a crime against the carpenter to cover up a beautiful timber structure with what ever the building necessitates, it is, after all an art in itself, your is no exception!
I agree wholeheartedly about timber structures, there is a lot of wonder to be found in such skeletons. Although my favourite period of archaeology is much, much older, I always enjoyed studying standing buildings archaeology, there’s something quite magical about learning how a thing is made, and made to last. My own wee shelter was ridiculously strong, thanks to that frame, when I was thatching the rear part, it was too high to reach parts, so I just climbed up, and the oak easily held my weight.
Thank you for coming along on this adventure again, I really appreciate you reading—there is quite a lot more woven in this year, as I can read every page of those journals this year, not just the select few I had photographs of. I’m also not holding back as much when it comes to the more spiritual side of this, along with my emotions and how I was changed by the whole.