MuddyPete wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:53 am

RIP wrote: ↑Sat Jun 29, 2024 11:50 am ... the boozer is a Greene King one which I'm unable to patronise on religious grounds .

Perhaps this is more to sir's liking...

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/d ... -pub-chain

No phones, telly, or musak. Havens .

But yes Sir Humph is eccentric to say the least.

I didn't know any of that! The Crammond Inn on the north west side of Embra is a Sam Smiths pub. I used to frequent it many years ago and it was great - cheap beer, good food. All the drinks, even soft ones were branded as Samuel Smiths. Dunno if it still is though.

Doubtless, Sam Smith will soon enough be declared bats and his estate will get taken over by a corporate monster who 're-brand' as yet another anodyne pub chain....

December Bivvy

The day started with a faint glow filtering through the December clouds, the kind of mild, damp morning that carries the promise of a quiet winter adventure. I took the Sandbanks ferry to Studland and parked alongside the road, the damp air beading on the van’s windows. A moderate easterly breeze rustled the nearby trees as I unloaded the bike, it was already laden with my bivvy and cooking essentials.

Before heading to Old Harry Rocks, I made a quick stop at the village shop, picking up a couple of bread rolls for the morning. And more importantly a bottle of Malbec to accompany my evening meal. It felt like a luxurious touch for a night under a tarp, and I couldn’t resist. With the bottle tucked securely in my bag, I peddled off toward the cliffs.

The ride was refreshing, as I passed heathland and patches of woodland. The moderate wind was in my face at times , but it was manageable, and I relished the solitude of the off-season. Arriving near Old Harry, the iconic chalk cliffs stood stark against the grey sea, an awe-inspiring sight even in the muted December light.

Finding a secluded spot in the woods nearby, I set up my tarp, configured plough point, angling it to shelter against the breeze. By 4pm, the daylight was fading fast, and the woods were bathed in a bluish-grey twilight. I got the Firebox stove going and began preparing dinner. The poussin, seasoned and surrounded by chopped onions and potatoes, went into the small Dutch oven, which I nestled into the glowing embers.While I cooked sprouts and carrots on the Trangia.

As the fire crackled, I uncorked the Malbec and poured myself a generous glass. The wine, rich and warming, seemed like the perfect complement to the cozy scene. Perhaps too perfect—I found myself pouring another glass as the bird roasted, then another, and before I knew it, I’d slightly lost track of time.

When the poussin was finally ready, it smelled delicious , but I soon realised my mistake. The vegetables were a bit overdone, and the poussin, while cooked through, wasn’t as tender as I’d hoped, The whole meal had cooled by the time I plated it. I gave it a generous 6 out of 10. It wasn’t the culinary triumph I’d envisioned, but I couldn’t deny the effort and ambiance deserved a perfect score. The Malbec, for its part, was flawless, and I polished off the rest of the bottle as the night deepened.

Sleep came easily under the tarp, the earlier damp air having disappeared. I managed a reasonable night’s rest, occasionally stirring to the sound of the wind in the trees. Morning came early, the darkness lingering as I stirred the fire back to life around 6.

Breakfast was a hearty affair: egg, bacon, and mushrooms sizzling in my skillet, their aroma cutting through the chill of the pre-dawn air. Soon after the first hints of light appeared on the horizon, I had packed up camp, leaving no trace behind.

The ride back to the Transit was easy, down hill most of the way, the easterly breeze sheltered by the trees. I loaded up the bike before heading home. The trip, while far from perfect, left me a determination to refine my woodland cooking skills—perhaps with a little less wine next time.

My first year completed. “I’ll be back.”

Video.https://youtu.be/EAee08jC1O8

Last night, a short ride up to a local quarry to meet my running mate Jill for a cold soggy December bivvy, saw the end of of my BaM year.

A flask of hot chocolate with a nip of brandy cheered things up a bit as it rained non-stop all night and into the morning.

That's 12/12 for me. I'm in awe of all you serial BaMers doing this year after year. Although I have enjoyed the challenge and had some brilliant nights out I probably won't repeat it next year, but you never know......

Mrs Polisherman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2024 5:37 pm That's 12/12 for me. I'm in awe of all you serial BaMers doing this year after year. Although I have enjoyed the challenge and had some brilliant nights out I probably won't repeat it next year, but you never know......

They all say that

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:33 pm

Mrs Polisherman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2024 5:37 pm That's 12/12 for me. I'm in awe of all you serial BaMers doing this year after year. Although I have enjoyed the challenge and had some brilliant nights out I probably won't repeat it next year, but you never know......

They all say that

Mwa-ha-ha-hahh!!!!

Looking forward to the round-up and End-Of-Term Prize Giving, Phil . Only eight nights left!

RIP wrote: ↑Tue Dec 24, 2024 8:35 pm
Looking forward to the round-up and End-Of-Term Prize Giving, Phil . Only eight nights left!

Aye, never mind all this Christmas crap, get yer bivvies in. As always, a Brucie bonus for anyone out on auld years night (must pitch before midnight) and no reason not to start next years BAM campaign by pitching up at 1min past midnight on the 1st

Well I'm afraid I'm out at the final hurdle!
The mother in law has been in the local hospice for nearly 3 weeks and she could 'go' any day. Obviously I'd be a complete 7wat if I left for a night.
I suppose me not completing BAM is justice as I was cutting it fine on several this year.
O well, there's more important things in life.
Looking forward to my next bivvy though, I definitely need one now!

Bad news Jeff, hope MiL and all your family are as good as can be.

summittoppler wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2024 12:31 pm Well I'm afraid I'm out at the final hurdle!
The mother in law has been in the local hospice for nearly 3 weeks and she could 'go' any day. Obviously I'd be a complete 7wat if I left for a night.
I suppose me not completing BAM is justice as I was cutting it fine on several this year.
O well, there's more important things in life.
Looking forward to my next bivvy though, I definitely need one now!

Definitely more important things in life ... thinking of you and yours, hope it will be fairly peaceful and pain free for you MIL.

And then a much needed bivvy after!

I managed to get my December bivvy done in the fog last night there was some talk of the skies clearing that didnt happen so i ended up a bit damp as i went bivvy bag only. Hopefully i will be able to get back to some proper riding shortly and go a bit further afield it was nice to ride again after 5 weeks even if it was a very gentle bimble .

PXL_20241228_225114708 by Kevin Hawker, on Flickr

12/12 for this year
72 consecutive months or 6 years and counting

Well done everyone who gave it a go

December Bivvy a Month

The Polishermanses let slip a nice little bivvy spot up to what we call the 'Top Res' Chew Reservoir on the top of Saddleworth Moor above Dovestone Reservoir. Up-Up-Uppity-Up to just shy of 500m. Nice bit of isolation, not a soul was met. No rain but a bit nippy. Hid behind the dam wall on what had been described as a 'nice bit of grass', but you wouldn't want to drive a golf ball onto it.
IMG20241217073303-EDITdear_jim
Used the larger 'Invisibivvy' as a bit more protection. Must learn how to actually set up a tarp correctly as there are always sniggers in the ranks.
IMG20241217070649-EDIT
Then treated to a warm glow from the East over the reservoir before the cold descent back to civilisation.
IMG20241217073403
BAM has opened my eyes to new outlooks and experiences this year. If you can still do the necessary 'grim bivvy' then nearly everything else in life must be possible.

"BAM has opened my eyes to new outlooks and experiences this year. If you can still do the necessary 'grim bivvy' then nearly everything else in life must be possible".

Good points there 'Cheese, and similarly two of the millions of reasons I still plod on...

Re tarp setup.... how about a noo year's resolution (arg) to try a different configuration every 2025 BaM? In fact there's 66 here, so over 5 years of BaMs....

TA DAAAA... December BaM done.

For this months BaM I returned to the site of my first BaM in January 2015. Not far from home, (13 miles uphill) on the site of the old Minera Lead Mine. I pedalled in to the sunset and climbed to my bivvy spot with plenty of time to get there and set up/cook. I rode the same bike too.

The bivvy...


Cooking...


A meal fit for a king...


I chucked the beans into the pan with the left-behind sausage fat. Note the plastic folding plate/cup. I've been using these for all my BaMs, plus many other outings. Lasted well, haven't they?

After a bellyful of sausage, beans and and bread, with a home-made flapjack for pud I retired to bed with my Jaegermeister nightcap. Slept like a top (except for the usual ). Had to take off some layers because I was too hot.

View from bed...


Breakfast...




Worryingly, the sausages were a bit pink in the middle. Ooh err! But I ate them anyway.

Morning pic...




This BaM completes ten years of BaMs - started in January 2015 and not missed any. Quite a few were TTB (Tick The Box) BaMs, but hey, they were fun anyway.

So:-BaMs, 120, extra bivvies 35 (in the ten years). 155 Total. I've had so much fun doing this. My thanks to Blackhound for the original idea all those years ago.

Huzzah! Who'd have thought I'd still be at it ten years later.

I think Frog' deserves two awards:

1) "Inspiration to All"

2) "Most Sausages Eaten in One Bivi"

Raggedstone wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 12:06 pm I managed to get my December bivvy done in the fog last night there was some talk of the skies clearing that didnt happen so i ended up a bit damp as i went bivvy bag only. Hopefully i will be able to get back to some proper riding shortly and go a bit further afield it was nice to ride again after 5 weeks even if it was a very gentle bimble .

PXL_20241228_225114708 by Kevin Hawker, on Flickr

12/12 for this year
72 consecutive months or 6 years and counting

Well done everyone who gave it a go

Well done Kev, that's a top effort, hope you're recovering well

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:45 pm I think Frog' deserves two awards:

1) "Inspiration to All"

2) "Most Sausages Eaten in One Bivi"

Absolutely. Wow. Ten years!!!

Crikey RIP, none of my tarp efforts so far make it on to the chart.
Here's to the 'floating diamond' for next year!

Verena wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:57 pm

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:45 pm I think Frog' deserves two awards:

1) "Inspiration to All"

2) "Most Sausages Eaten in One Bivi"

Absolutely. Wow. Ten years!!!

Top work Lu. What a nutter. And that's a BIG compliment!

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:45 pm I think Frog' deserves two awards:

1) "Inspiration to All"

I dunno about “inspiration “. I just did it for myself. But thanks anyway. I did notice that it was a lot easier to get up there ten years ago.

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:45 pm
2) "Most Sausages Eaten in One Bivi"

Sausages? I thought it was a six-pack when I bought it but, you know, once they were there….

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:45 pm I think Frog' deserves two awards:

1) "Inspiration to All"

2) "Most Sausages Eaten in One Bivi"

Noted

summittoppler wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2024 12:31 pm Well I'm afraid I'm out at the final hurdle!
The mother in law has been in the local hospice for nearly 3 weeks and she could 'go' any day. Obviously I'd be a complete 7wat if I left for a night.
I suppose me not completing BAM is justice as I was cutting it fine on several this year.
O well, there's more important things in life.
Looking forward to my next bivvy though, I definitely need one now!

Sorry to hear about your Mum in law Jeff, it's a difficult time of life when parents / in laws are getting on a bit.

I'll happily give you a 'by' given how much entertainment you've provided over this and other years (plus all the cheating that went on early in the year from other Bam'ers ) so we'll call that a completion I reckon.

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 9:01 pm

summittoppler wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2024 12:31 pm Well I'm afraid I'm out at the final hurdle!
The mother in law has been in the local hospice for nearly 3 weeks and she could 'go' any day. Obviously I'd be a complete 7wat if I left for a night.
I suppose me not completing BAM is justice as I was cutting it fine on several this year.
O well, there's more important things in life.
Looking forward to my next bivvy though, I definitely need one now!

Sorry to hear about your Mum in law Jeff, it's a difficult time of life when parents / in laws are getting on a bit.

I'll happily give you a 'by' given how much entertainment you've provided over this and other years (plus all the cheating that went on early in the year from other Bam'ers ) so we'll call that a completion I reckon.

Where's the embarrassed emoji...most kind mate
I'd be willing to bag a couple in January to make up for it.
Anyway, put it before the board of BAM adjudicators

Re tarp setup.... how about a noo year's resolution (arg) to try a different configuration every 2025 BaM? In fact there's 66 here, so over 5 years of BaMs....

Wot no twin tub with guitar? (one for the Carter USM afficianados).

The Magic Welly of Wolverton

Google maps has ruined exploration and discovery. Or enhanced it. One or the other.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DENWPffoh3D ... M1OGRoejUy

Bored with too many local bivvies under My Favourite Christmas Tree in the local woods and struggling to remember a dependable, winter-weatherproof site for my December bivi, I found myself idly browsing for options I could squeeze into a 12-hour "school night". I spotted a few options near Wolverton, 2 hour's ride away (or 15 minutes by train), which were confirmed with a dog-walk recce'.

With Skip Bike packed I set off at 9p.m. for a steady spin along the Grand Union canal towpath past a variety of rural, suburban, urban and industrial neighbourhoods, such as Christmas decorated houses and the Bletchley food flavour factory. The relatively-frequent "chemical escapes" from the latter can fill the air with the aroma of strawberry bon-bons, banana or chocolate (yum!).

Arriving at my chosen lake-side site I had the usual "what if someone else is here?" moment, but (of course) I had the place to myself. Palatial by bivi standards and large enough to accommodate a Chilterns Winter Bivi (Foul Weather Edition), I was soon ready to turn-in.

The wooden floor was an uncomfortable contrast to Reg's luxurious grain barn (BaMs, passim) and a lack of pillows led to a series of naps, interrupted further by the arrival of a large flock of noisy geese at 04.45.

Following an unhurried pre-dawn breakfast I pedalled back towards the canal and joined it at Iron Trunk Aqueduct (1811) that replaced the wooden one that fell down in 1808, which must have been pretty spectacular as it's 20m above the river Great Ouse. A nearby sign informs: "The Magic Wellie: when the canal was repaired in 1982 workmen found a damaged drain plug. A workman's wellie saved the day, making a new watertight seal. It's still doing the job!"
An excellent bodge, indeed.

The daylight ride back home had plenty of modern, old or derelict buildings decorated with a variety of "community murals" (some official; others less-so) and a couple of hours later I was in a café with Mrs M.P., halfway through her dog walk, enjoying Breakfast No.2.

15/15