We always like to see interesting tents, campervans and caravans on site. So I thought I would share with you this 1950s caravan that rolled up last week. Spot and her partner brought the little van with them and we look forward to welcoming them back soon.
If you have something that stands out from the crowd why not bring yourselves along.
D J Fresh Fish
Just thought you might be interested to see the Mackerel that Heath caught for our Wild Food feast. Not saying that we are all fish fetishists but just compare this to what you might find in your Tesco, Sainsbury or even Waitrose! The colours of a freshly caught fish, iridescent greens, purples and silver - quite unlike anything you will find on the “fresh fish” counter.
Fish that you buy from the supermarket has normally sat iced on a trawler, travelled by road to market. Gone to be processed and packaged and finally hitting the shelves with a few days of best before date.
If you get the chance to fish for yourself you will find that the best before date is always the day you caught your catch. Plenty of opportunities for the experienced and beginner to fish throughout Gwynedd, sea fishing to fresh water - give it a go and you will really taste the difference.
Watch this space for more Bushcraft activities at Graig Wen.
Forage to fork
Last night we held our first wild food forage. The weather may have been against us but Heath and Aoife from Firefox Bushcraft welcomed all those that turned up to the dine alfresco with them. We started with a look at what we could find on our fields leading down to the estuary and then a good forage along the estuary shoreline. We learnt what was good and not so good to gather, a little bit of folklore, and some of us could teach latin to the Romans. Forty five minutes later we where able to puruse the menu, which consisted of;
A warming herbal tea with Yarrow or Meadowsweet
A starter of oak smoked Halloumi (i know you wont find this growing under the bracken)
The main course - a herb flan cooked in the dutch oven flavoured with Commom Sorrell, Yarrow and Jews Ear fungus. Samphire with melted butter and a ponassed Mackarel.
A wine list of Silver Birch or Oak leaf 2009, young fruity and good on the nose!
To finish this all off we had a summer pudding of wild whinberry, strawberry and rasberry with a little added whinberry syrup.
We all left feeling satisfied in body and mind, good company, great food and all of it availiable from the Graig Wen aisle, just by the estuary.
If you are interested in bushcraft skills why not join us when we have our Wild Night Out on Sunday 2 August.
One of the best rides in Wales, and thats according to this months MBR magazine, Pont Scethin. If you wont to get away from the trail centres and take on some natural trails we cant recommend it highly enough. You can get to the start of the trail in about 20 minutes from Graig Wen.
We had a special delivery today, our first Land Rover. She (cars are always female,right?) comes from the 1970s when driving was proper driving. No fancy electronic stuff, sat nav didnt exist, no one cared about seat belts or there emmisions. Ride quality is bumpy, 0 to 60 in a few minutes. If you are camping on the lower fields we can now get you to and from your pitch in style.
All old cars deserve a name, so far she seems to be a Betty - goes well with all of Johns Frank Spencer moments!
The first harvest from the Graig Wen veg patch, after battling slugs, mice and last years wet summer we are finally reaping the rewards of Johns hard work. Spending time leaning on a shovel with a snowdonia ale is also classed as gardening.
