Walking

Walking today

The route I took today was out near Kirkby Green.

Lincolnshire sky
Lincolnshire sky
Hiking lunch
Hiking lunch

I found a spot out of the wind – after the rain stopped – for lunch. Tinned mushroom soup, buttered sourdough bread and coffee. The smoke was because I used some hexamine solid fuel tablets to heat the soup and water, but once I used them I remembered why they we still in my fuel box several years after I had bought them.

Compared to the Fire Dragon gel fuel the hexamine tablets gave off pungent fumes and left a sooty residue on the mugs and stove. OK for a standby, lasts forever, fuel but not for everyday use anymore. The British Army used it for years and the first outdoors stove I bought when I was at school, from the military surplus department in Millers of Grays, was an army folding cooker which included eight large blocks of hexamine.

Hiking haversack load out​
Hiking haversack load – including a lightweight poncho
Finnish Haversack
Finnish Haversack
Lincolnshire sky
Lincolnshire skies
Lone tree in the style of Ansel Adams
Lone tree in the style of Ansel Adams

Walking today Read More »

Last day of my leave

Although I had to work yesterday and this morning – today is officially my last day off.

I thought a walk along the disused Sleaford Canal and coffee in the autumn sun was a good plan for the day.

Sleaford Canal walk
Sleaford Canal disused lock
Sleaford Canal disused lock
Autumn leaf in the sun
Coffee and biscuits
Hiking filter coffee

One useful bit of kit I do not mention is the fold-up stool. The steel and canvas construction is strong and it comes with a canvas sleeve that makes it easier to pack. It is heavier than an aluminium equivalent but this stool is more compact and stronger.

Having a comfortable seat for my breaks, easily makes up for the extra weight carried.

Sleaford Canal disused lock
Sleaford Canal disused lock
Sleaford Canal walk
Sleaford Canal

Last day of my leave Read More »

Chicken walk

Walking today started in Kirkby Green, went out past a chicken farm and then on towards Martin.

Chicken farm
Ditch crossing
Silverstone muddy field with tracks
Footpath in Lincolnshire

I found a great quiet spot for coffee, a Milky Way and a chance to read for a while.

Coffee stop​
Coffee stop
Lightweight bushcraft cooking gear in a Finnish haversack

I made the coffee today using a Taylor Coffee Bag rather than using my homemade coffee filter. The stove I used was my mini bushcraft wood stove with Fire Dragon fuel.

Alpkit 400ml titanium mug/cook pot​
Alpkit 400ml titanium mug/cook pot

Lightweight walking kit

The gear, including a folding stool, monocular and bush hat,went in my Finnish haversack. Some first aid items, a compass, lighter, coffee, sewing kit, a length of cord, Victorinox field Sharpening stone and duct tape went in a small belt pouch. My Victorinox Camper knife and mini Leatherman went in my pocket.

Today I only needed 500ml of water and a mini Milky Way for a short walk but I could have carried more water, lunch and a waterproof jacket in the haversack.

Railway footpath crossing
Railway footpath crossing
Autumn colours​ and an empty field
Autumn colours and an empty field

Chicken walk Read More »