We've got the all clear to camp on site on saturday night. You can either bring a tent, build a basha, or, just bring a camp bed and sleep in one of the covered safezone bays (that's what I'll be doing).
We will have a "social" but please, don't kick the arse out of it, as it'll be an early start on sunday. All rubbish needs to be taken with us, so please bring a binbag or two for this purpose.
You can turn up on site anytime after 1800hrs. Please don't arrive any earlier, as we'll be preparing the areas to be used for training. Please park on the car park just off the road and wait there until someone from the organising team comes down to you.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I've got the childcare issue sorted so I'll be joining you all on Saturday evening 
Meanwhile, I've been doing a bit of research into portable camping options for the Jedburgh game :-
1. Pup tent - cheap at £25-odd, but 8lbs in weight seems a lot to hump around.
2. Synthetic basha or similar - lightweight and made for the job, but no brown or tan colours - only DPM or flecktarm. Not very 1940s.
3. Lightweight canvas or cotton duck tarp - After a LOT of internet searching they're all either way too big or way too pricey.
4. Waterproof sleeping bag - Doesn't sound like a lot of fun.
Have I missed anything?
You can get the old Brit' 58 pattern poncho cheaply, which is green. Then there's the Bundeswehr green rubberised one, or the Russian Plash', or the good old Zeltbahn as well. It really depends on the type of shelter you want to build. For a basha, you can't go wrong with the Brit or Bundy poncho's, both of which you can pick up for under £20 if you shop around.
An even cheaper way is to get an IPK kit. I paid £3 for the last one I got. Then, I added eyelets at each corner and, hey presto, a cheap, light and very practical shelter! (There's even a load of cord and some pegs in it as well!) I'll bring it along to the training day if you want to have a look at it.
I'll also bring my plash and my Bundy poncho as well.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I've already have one of the SoF brit ponchos/groundsheets, but it seems a bit small to work as a shelter to sleep under. Interestingly, I road-tested the two zelt quarters I own. The wartime one held up pretty well during a rainy night despite being ratty and full of pinholes. The freshly NikWax'd repro one was absolutely sodden by morning.
Not being very tall, I never had a problem under a 58 poncho! I don't recall any of the taller blokes complaining either actually. Are you sure you've got the right one?
http://www.the-outdoor.co.uk/shopscr78.html
Link to IPK
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/ ... 32121.html
Bundy rubberised poncho
http://www.surplusandadventure.com/shop ... 58507.html
Obviously, there are other, more reliable retailers!
We'll also be looking at other types of shelter on the day, making use of natural materials.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Ah! That's a rain cape, not a poncho. You could incorporate it into a debris shelter though, or use it as a groundsheet.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Ah! That's a rain cape, not a poncho.
I should be able to stretch to another 6 beans for an IPK. Wifey will have just to forgo her breakfast vodka for a day.
As Kidderminster is so close for me, I can nip down and get any number of IPK kits for people who want them to save on postage. I'll be nabbing one for myself.
Let me know if you'd like one and I'll grab them before the training day.
Just out of interest, is anyone not arriving on saturday? It's a very early start on sunday, so, it's best if you can be there on saturday.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
As Kidderminster is so close for me, I can nip down and get any number of IPK kits for people who want them to save on postage. I'll be nabbing one for myself.
Let me know if you'd like one and I'll grab them before the training day.
Yes please, HS. 
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
YES PLEASE TOO HS
Vorsprung durch Blitzkreig !
Speed, aggression and Hugo Boss
the innocent have nothing to fear......[img][/img]
As Kidderminster is so close for me, I can nip down and get any number of IPK kits for people who want them to save on postage. I'll be nabbing one for myself.
Let me know if you'd like one and I'll grab them before the training day.
sorry what's IPK?
Individual Protection Kit - very useful thing, I've got three that cost me £3 each a while back. (I use them for zelt groundsheets and tent pegs) - the cord holds up the CiA banners at events!
Info: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/reviews/showproduct.php/product/356
http://www.genuinearmysurplus.co.uk/products/detail/rowid=28
One or two on this forum might even have trained to use the kit properly! Culled info: They were intended as battlefield trench covers to allow soldiers to build a fighting survivable trench with several feet of overhead cover of earth. They are designed to be the roof of a firetrench, a 6 foot long x "the armpits of the shortest man" high trench, that you fight from. You pin the cord supplied criss-cross (I'm sure there was a leaflet in each pack with a diagram ) across your trench at one end using the pegs supplied ( over half of the trench ) then lay the sheet, then overlay with branches etc, then layers of compacted earth, branches, earth continue. Then you get in - if you get inside - your NCO will then drive a defender over the top, if you survive, you have a good firetrench shelter.
I've ordered one of these '58 pattern sleeping bags.
[link]http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/camping-equipment/sleeping-bags/brand-new-genuine-army-issue-736848.html[/link]
It might not be spot-on, but it's better than a bright blue one from Millets. The water resistant base sounds good too. They also sell used ones for about £25.
58 bags are good but, be aware that they are down filled, not hollow fibre. If they get wet, they stay wet. Not a problem if you have a bivi bag, or build an adequate shelter, of course.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I'll be sticking a jumper on and sleeping in my bivi bag.
If I can get there, I will be arrive on Sunday morning, (have to look after the folk's cat you see!)
A large bowl of dried food and plenty of water will see a cat through for 24 hours.
my cat would try and eat it all in one go as he's massive!
