Micky D and Benner's big day out

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

As some of you know Ben and I were planning on doing a mini UK meet, to see if we could stand each others company all the way to the Big meet later this year

Well first up let me say this about the guy, he's a top bloke and every bit as genuine as he is here, you never know how a person's going to turn out in the flesh, no matter how much chatting you do on line, but I'm happy to report that ole Ben's a stand up guy (there had to be a reason he pulled such a fitty for a wife )

So we did the obligatory ''you show me your tool, and I'll show you mine'' (sorry couldn't resist, I'll get my coat ) and he's got some bloody fine tools, the micarta on his Grohmann was exceptionally well executed, on what is a comparatively cheap tool , he brought shed loads of LM gear to try and steer me away from the true path of holy Victorinox (sorry Ben, it didn't work ) although I'd did like his BO Supertool, even if it was as loose as a kingscross slapper , his Technogolfer was superb though, trully you'd never guess it wasn't a factory Sak, Bill you're a true craftsman mate

But the star of the show for me was his Wenger SI...the thing was bloody lovely all square cut tools and near matte finish, he very nearly didn't get it back

So after that we went down the woods (he'd abused my tea making privaliges too much) to practice a bit of bushcraft and fire making

Well by his own admission, he's not a county boy, but I tell you this...he's a bloody fast learner, I've taught a good few people how to make fire (it's not as simple as it looks is it) but it turns out Bens got a real apptitute for learning new skills, not only can he sharpen a knife now, but his got the makings of a reasonable bushman too , but I'm getting a little ahead of myself

Right todays little exercise was always gona be difficult as for the last week we've had nothing but rain, snow, frost, HAIL, and generally piss poor weather for making a fire from scratch, so I cheated a little and brought tissue paper as tinder as we'd traipse all day through the woods and still find no suitable natural tinder , but Ben found the kindling, battoned the wood, and made the fuzz sticks all by himself , not only with his gronny but with my Srk too (so he could get the feel of a big unsophisticated brute of a knife ) then came the fire, he struck the ferro rod with his SI just fine then disaster happened...

First an almight thunder bolt hit the overhead power pylons about 80 meters away then we got bombared with 8mm hail stones (yes my ears still hurt!) obviously our fledgling fire died a quick death in such a situation, but being plucky, stiff upper lipped brits, do we give up?...no we sodded off down the pub

So a bloody good day with some excellent company was had by all

Ben's got the pictures and some video too, so ignore my post and read his instead

[Mike]

That's pretty cool, glad you guys hit it off, sounds like it was a good time. It'll be nice to see you guys in action with the pictures and video. At least Ben got some help with sharpening, good stuff!

Mike

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Nah he really picked up the sharpening quickly, it's going to be a shock for anyone who's used to handling his knives

[WhichDawg]

Very good to hear, we all knew it would go great, 2 of the best guys around here had too get along

Next will be birthday get togethers, boys night out, christmas cards, wife/girlfriend swapping, plastic surgery to look like each other...

Can't wait for the pics, and great hearing of the meet, thx guys

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm quite happy to wife swap

[Benner]

Well first of all I'd just like to say a big thanks to Mike for putting up with me for a whole day.  I really had a good day and Mike is a top bloke.    What was strange was that meeting up with him didn't feel strange.  Even though I had only spoken to him over PM's and through the boards, I felt that I already knew him pretty well.


Like Mike said it was a pretty interesting day!    Below are a few pics and a video that we did to capture the occasion...

Here's Mike collecting some wood when the weather was quite nice;


He even did a bit of tree climbing with his SRK firmly gritted in his teeth;




Me splitting some wood;


Mike splitting wood a lot better than me ;


Then the sky started to look like this;


The heavens opened and the hail started beating down;








And just to capture the moment even more, here's a video of our hailstorm...

[Benner]

I'm quite happy to wife swap

I'm real good thanks! 

[jock1]

It's strange when you find you are mellowing with old age and start liking people only the odd one or two mind wouldn't want to change too quickly .Seriously glad you guys had fun hope nobody injures themselves with Benners newly sharp toys if he's half as good as you they will be shaving sharp!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It was weird, how natural it was? I thought it'd be at least a little awkward at first too

[Benner]

It was weird, how natural it was? I thought it'd be at least a little awkward at first too

I think we were ok as we both suffer from verbal diarrhoea. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It's strange when you find you are mellowing with old age and start liking people only the odd one or two mind wouldn't want to change too quickly .Seriously glad you guys had fun hope nobody injures themselves with Benners newly sharp toys if he's half as good as you they will be shaving sharp!

He's not half bad mate, but then he had a good teacher

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It was weird, how natural it was? I thought it'd be at least a little awkward at first too

I think we were ok as we both suffer from verbal diarrhoea. 

Ain't that the truth

[Mike]

Hey, you two make a cute couple.

Mike

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That we do, but we're taking it slow, as we've both been hurt before

[Benner]

That we do, but we're taking it slow, as we've both been hurt before

 

I'm clearly the better looking one. 

[Mike]

ROFLMAO!! On second thought, maybe you two should just not associate with each other ...... ever.

Mike

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well obviously, but I probably appeal to the more ''mature'' lady

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

ROFLMAO!! On second thought, maybe you two should just not associate with each other ...... ever.

Mike

[Benner]

Well obviously, but I probably appeal to the more ''mature'' lady

The word you wanted was "Elderly" 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I got checked out by the fit barmaid didn't I!, mind you she disapeared to the loo straight afterwards, probably to be sick

[Benner]

She was quite nice. 

[WhichDawg]

damm that hail was coming down! great pictures and vid Benner!
great accents guys (we yanks hear em) all you needed was this
in the pictures and it would have been perfect!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The one with the tied back hair?...oh yes

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

damm that hail was coming down! great pictures and vid Benner!
great accents guys (we yanks hear em) all you needed was this
in the pictures and it would have been perfect!
(Image removed from quote.)

I'm more of a knight you says no

[NutSAK]

First an almight thunder bolt hit the overhead power pylons about 80 meters away then we got bombared with 8mm hail stones (yes my ears still hurt!) obviously our fledgling fire died a quick death in such a situation, but being plucky, stiff upper lipped brits, do we give up?...no we sodded off down the pub

I gotta hand it to you guys, you know how to adapt to changing conditions. 

[Benner]

First an almight thunder bolt hit the overhead power pylons about 80 meters away then we got bombared with 8mm hail stones (yes my ears still hurt!) obviously our fledgling fire died a quick death in such a situation, but being plucky, stiff upper lipped brits, do we give up?...no we sodded off down the pub

I gotta hand it to you guys, you know how to adapt to changing conditions. 

We get plenty of chances to practice. 

[edap617]

Ben and Micky,

I'm happy to know that at long last you have meet. How long did you stay on that campsite?

Thanks for the nice pictures.

Eddie

[WhichDawg]

now Eddie, when they meet again, they want you there, errr they want them friends of yours there!

[edap617]

Sure, I will bring my friends, Whichdawg!

[Benner]

Ben and Micky,

I'm happy to know that at long last you have meet. How long did you stay on that campsite?

Thanks for the nice pictures.

Eddie

It was only a wooded area near where Mike lives.  We would have been there all afternoon if it wasn't for the weather.