Episode #21 Pooooooootato

Big Man in the Woods

In Vlog 6, I talk about Gilwell Reunion, The Outdoor Trade show, my scout programme and competitions. Gilwell Reunion The Outdoor Trade show was held in Warwickshire a few weeks ago. The Outdoor Trade Show has come a long way since it began in 2006, where 46 exhibitors and 621 visitors were hosted in one hall at Stoneleigh Park. The show presents a fantastic opportunity for retail visitors to see a wide variety of outdoor brands presenting clothing, footwear and accessory products in the exhibition halls, at the same time as allowing camping and caravanning retailers to browse through the hundreds of tents and caravan awnings on display outdoors. It’s a great event to see new camping toys, gadgets and get a sneaky peek at what’s coming out in 2017. Here’s a few of my favourites The Aquaforno: The Ultimate in Outdoor Cooking Stoves, A Pizza Oven, BBQ Grill, Smoker with internal water boiler. An all in one – for you to take anywhere. Retailing at £395- will be available on scout shop very soon. Keen- Uneek Paracord shoes: These retail for approx £80- depending on the style Fixnzip is a zipper repair product that requires no tools or sewing. Its universal design can be used on teeth, coil, metal and plastic zippers. Applied in seconds, FixnZip makes ‘zipper repair anywhere’ possible; currently unavailable in the UK, but coming soon. Dexshell continues to take the market by storm, developing accessories for outdoor use. Products are waterproof and highly breathable using a our unique construction method, patented technology and superb quality materials in order to repel the elements of weather extremities. These are taking on the mighty Seal socks at a much cheaper price. I returned to Scouts after our summer break last week. We tested out a new game I found online called ‘pooootato’, I also mention about the autumn programme. The ‘Chip shop’ challenge- this is where we go around our local neighbourhood and each team gets exactly the same order- A SMALL PORTION OF CHIPS. The teams come back to the scout hall and blind test each chip, rating them on taste, texture, size, and cost etc. The ‘rucksack challenge’- what does and doesn’t go into a ruck sack. I Also we had a Canadian Scout Leader join our scout group, she went home for the summer and brought back the Canadian famous “pinewood derby cars I’ve been teaching Grace basic fire lighting skills. I’ve explained to her how you have to respect fire, not to play with it etc. She’s been learning how to light a fire using a fire steel. She struggles with applying the pressure, so my last camping trip with Bushscout, I discovered a simple instrument to help; attach the firesteel to approx 1 foot long sticks. We both can use the firesteel at the same time; Grace is able to learn the momentum whilst I apply the pressure. Birthdays- Happy birthday to Paul Woods from Military Mart, a good Scout friend of mine who lives in Australia. Mr Brian Shorts, my good friend from the Explorer unit Legends. Dave Willis and our amazing beaver lover, Helen from Beaver Bushcraft, from both myself & producer Grace we would both like to wish you all a Happy Birthday. Competitions Congrats to William Young who won the BCB goodies, Fire Dragon tablets and mini stove. A new competition we are running: Your chance to win some Nikwak goodies. TX Direct Wash in, 2 scrubbing brushes, Nikwax pen and a Big Man in the Woods badge. To win this, simply answer this question. When using Nikwax what temperature do they recommend you run the cycle on? a-90 b-B-40 c-C-30 Email [e-mail] with your answer. Don’t forget to subscribe to both the podcast and YouTube channel. Until the next time.....Happy Camping!! All the best Mark Big Man in the woods