My Fire Kit

October 4, 2026#backtothehills, Camping/hiking gear, hiking/backpacking/camping, outdoorsDarren

I’ve not done an outdoors related post for a while, or as some more hip and younger folks would say “in a long minute”.

Either way the fact remains it’s been board games and dogs mainly on here.

So let’s try and even things up with an outdoors related post.

Recently I got a DJI Osmo 360 2 camera. So I’ve been doing some test footage with it. Just to see what it allows me to capture in various situations.

One test was the short video below where I decided to film the contents of my fire kit and my canteen holder/bag contents for fire starting.

I think it’s general/common knowledge given in many YouTube videos that you have redundancy in your fire kit. Usually three ways to get a spark. So if one fails etc etc.

My little fire kit has a fourth because it’s so small and takes up so little space really.

In my canteen bag/holder (a Helicon one iirc) I also have a “basic” fire kit.

Usually the fire kit goes in the bag if I’m out playing with one of my twig/wood burning stoves. But the canteen bag kit is permanently in one of the bag’s pockets. So if I have the canteen I have a fire kit of sorts no matter what stove I’m using. To be fair these days my preference for lighting a meths stove is a ferro rod.

Anyway enough rambling and on with the short movie.

Fire kit items in the video:

Forest Fundamentals Zipped Organiser Pouch for the Nesting Stove
Forest Fundamentals Artisan Mini Fire Mat for the Nesting stove
BCB Fireball Ferro Rod & Striker
British Army Windproof/Waterproof Matches (from a ration pack)
Bic lighter
2x Forest Fundamentals Fire Plugs
Pathfinder Mini Inferno Fire Disc
2x homemade version of fire disc
US Military Spark-lite fire starter
Some odd ends of paracord

From the Forest Fundamentals Pocket Fire Kit:

Handmade Waxed-Canvas Fire Mat
Hex Bellows & Wax-Infused Jute Rope
Telescopic bellows from a Polymath Spitfire Pocket Fire Lighting Kit

Canteen holder contents:

Forest Fundamentals Beast Fire Starter & Stealth Striker
BCB Strong Match Safe filled with British Army Windproof/Waterproof Matches (from ration packs)
Bic lighter in an Exotac Men’s Waterproof Firesleeve
Fat wood from a Forest Fundamentals Fire Lighting kit

Obviously in both kits my first port of call is the bic lighter. If that fails for whatever reason, most likely it’s run out of fuel, it’s on to the matches. With the third and final option being the ferro rod. And yes there is a fourth option in the main kit of the Spark-lite.

For me starting a fire is about minimum effort, ease, and speed. I want my fire going as quickly as possible. That’s why the lighter is the first option.

Yes there is more to starting a fire than just what you are igniting it with. There is what tinder you are using, your wood, weather conditions, etc, etc. I usually have at least a couple different types of tinder with me, and carry my own wood (there is a logic to this that I’ll go into one day).

So that’s my fire kit.

Bgstats for September 2026

October 3, 2026bgstat, by the numbers, statsDarren

I’m glad September is behind me. It’s two anniversaries that break the heart each year.

But on the gaming front it’s been another great month.

Here’s the summary that includes some new favourites.

And finally…

September 2026 Gaming Roundup Part 2

October 1, 2026Gaming roundupDarren

The month continues with more games being played than expected.

I still can’t help feel the format needs some tweaks. But will need to reassess after the next set Homeworlds, and the base upgrades. Which I believe we are less than a week away from.

It was nice to get a handful of games in this month. Although it seems the latest shiny CCG Cyberpunk has diverted the attention of one or two players. So at the moment and possibly for the foreseeable future games might once more become hard to get.

Acquire 60th Anniversary edition: so I’ve played a board game older than me! And it still holds up. It just works at four and five players. I did buy 6 wooden scrabble tile holders to use with the game. It makes holding the game tiles easier. I think it’s the only thing this anniversary edition is missing. The poker chips have a nice weight to them. I think I’ve become a big Sid Sackson fan.

Hanami: I think this is a very pretty game. It does play nicely at three and four players. Plus it’s become a hit with those I’ve played it with. One club night saw us play it three times in a row! It’s also deceptively cut throat. Plus it’s not a high scoring game. You are in the end competing for three points! Each point decided by who has a majority in that token. I lost two games on the tie breakers.

Innovation: another two player game, which it really works well for. This is a very take that game. Which I love but get that this style of game is not for everyone. Sadly they are missing a great game.

The Thing Board Game: we managed to get a 4 player organised. On the day we managed to play 2 games. It was fun but better with the higher player counts. I managed to be on the winning side both times.

National Economy: a great card based worker placement game. And so far everyone who’s played it likes it. Sadly it needs a western publisher to make it more easily accessible.

Sakana Stack: jury is still out on this. It was enjoyable but I need a game or two more I think.

Catan on the Road: Catan in less than 15 minutes? I’m not sure our game was that quick. But still it was mostly a Catan like experience. I say mostly because there was very little trading going on. But it was fun.

New Arrivals

More Mayday premium card sleeves
A Gamut of Games by Sid Sackson
6 wooden scrabble tile holders
Villagers Shifting Seasons
Halo Flashpoint Zeta all in
Root 2nd edition clearing markers and frog clearing markers

1982 peak board gaming?

September 26, 2026life, the universe, and everythingDarren

Without realising it I’d become a Sid Sackson fan.

I’d enjoyed his push your luck game Can’t Stop.

But then recently I bought another game of his Acquire after finding out about it via my friend Gavin. Well Gavin was after a copy. I’d never heard of it and looked into it. Which made me think “oh that sounds interesting, I’d like to play that too”. So not long after the 60th anniversary edition with its bling was on its way to me.

At the same time I ordered a copy of Sid Sacksons book A Gamut of Games.

The 2011 printing of A Gamut of Games has three different prefaces from the earlier editions.

In the included preface for the Dover edition Sid Sackson says the following:

“1982 marked the end of what I consider a golden age of serious games.”

Which for me got me thinking has gaming been going down hill ever since?

Definitely when Sackson made that statement in 1982, he pointed out earlier in the same paragraph, video games were a thing. In the UK we were in the early days of the birth of the home computer boom. If memory doesn’t fail me the US was on the brink of the video game crash.

It was not hard to see where he was coming from. Video games pushing out board games for the attention of kids. Everyone and their dog trying to jump on the bandwagon. The writing was on the wall.

Sid Sackson passed away in 2002.

Catan aka Settlers of Catan was first published in 1995. Along with the likes of Carcassonne (2000), Ticket to Ride (2004) and many others to numerous to mention. A modern board game renaissance was born.

I can’t say Sid Sackson played or was aware of these games. I have no way to know. I do know he was not only a board game designer but also a collector. I have no way to know what he thought of those games that were out during his life time. But I’d be surprised if he had not at least heard of them.

Definitely since 2010 we have seen as some have called it a golden age of gaming, and numerous bubbles. Plus the rise of crowdfunding.

Each year somehow hundreds of new games get released. There is no way you can play them all, or buy them all.

Board gaming is more popular than ever. We have board gaming cafes, clubs, dedicated shops. Then add on the whole internet and what that brings to the coverage of board games.

Would Sackson think we are in a new golden age or renaissance?

LiveFromPeru Part 15

September 19, 2026#livefromperuDarren

Yesterday Diogo was picked up by dog trainer Heidi (from Transpawmation dog training) for his first ever pickup and train session.

These sessions basically see Heidi pickup your dog, and she takes them off on a walk and training session.

The training session saw Diogo go to a local orchard where he got to meet some other dogs to work on his reaction to other dogs. Which is apparently worse when he has Dolly around to encourage and support him! He then got taken to the local Pets at Home store which he’d never been to before.

Apparently Diogo wouldn’t take any treats from Heidi! Which is very weird.

Videos by Heidi

What I liked about this is not only did I get a report afterwards of what was done, and how Diogo got on. But there was also advice on what to work on, and other recommendations.

When Heidi picked up Diogo it felt like dropping off your child at nursery/school for the first time. Diogo behaved really well going with Heidi and getting into her car.

Handing over Diogo to Heidi and not being there requires a lot of trust in the person you are handing over your dog to. And I have a lot of trust and faith in Heidi. That has been built up over the weeks since first meeting her. Seeing how well she has got on not only with Diogo and Dolly, but with other dogs. I’m so happy we have such a great trainer to work with who cares for your dog nearly as much as you do. Let’s face it no one will ever care as much as you do.

I also like that as well as the report afterwards there was a couple of short videos and photos showing how Diogo got on. Very reassuring.

We have a couple of socialisation walks booked, and arranging some more pickup and train sessions.

Remembering Big Nan 2026

September 18, 2026life, the universe, and everythingDarren

Time heals apparently. But five years on and it’s still raw.

I miss Nan so much. I miss her love and wisdom.

I spent this mornings walk telling Dolly all about Nan. Diogo was on his first pick up and train walk with Heidi the dog trainer.

I know Nan would love the monster squad, especially Dolly. Everyone loves Dolly!

Miss you Nan.

September 2026 Gaming Roundup Part 1

September 15, 2026Gaming roundupDarren

Like August September has gotten off to an amazing start.

Some great games and old favourites have made it to the table.

I got to be on the receiving end of my All the Vaders deck (it was being played by Dave) and it wasn’t fun. I won’t make that mistake again. I have started putting together an All the Lukes deck which should be ready in a couple of weeks.

I had my fastest loss, a first turn net damage death by a Jinteki deck. Later I was two cards from milling them. I’m going to play the runner side maybe a couple more times then I’m going to build a new runner. In the meantime I’m fairly happy with the NBN deck. I might look at some tweaks to the deck.

Excalibur: do I need to really tell you how much fun this game is?

Scout: yeah just a great little fun card game.

Sushi Go: what can I say a classic drafting game as far as I’m concerned. Should be in every game bag.

Perudo/Liars Dice: played a new edition I got where the case folds out to form a board to track bids. Plus it’s a bit more portable and easier to keep in the game bag. Still great fun was had.

Harmonies: I like this game. I like the drafting of tiles, the trying to complete animal cards you draft, and the end game scoring. It’s a bit of a puzzle as you try and balance completing the animal cards for points while also trying to meet the end game scoring criteria. Yes this does feel a bit solo ish. With the main interaction being the drafting of tiles and animal cards. Between turns you hope no one drafts what you want. Sometimes, ok a lot of the time they do. Then you are praying the replacements are even better for you. Often they are not. Yeah a great little game.

Forest Shuffle Smoky Mountains: is this the best version of Forest Shuffle? I love the rivers. It has the caves also. The art is beautiful. I bet it gets an expansion just like Dartmoor did. But is it the GOAT of Forest Shuffle? Maybe?

Brass Birmingham: the number one game on bgg. It’s good, but number one? Mind you I looked at the top ten on bgg and thought some good games but not top ten worthy. And that includes both versions of Dune Imperium. I enjoyed it. Would definitely play it again.

Cubed Next Level Dominoes: a long over due return to the table.

Rebel Princess: ‘nuff said.

Gunsen The Battle for Toshi Ranbo: a three player game. We knocked out two games in about two and a half hours. So it plays quick. Gunsen the battle for toshi ranbo is a great game and you can definitely see the influence of games like Scythe and Kemet. Which ticked a lot of boxes for me before playing. Scythe is my favourite game of all time game, and I love Kemet. Combat flows nicely. Card stock damages easily so needs sleeving but that’s my only criticism. Other components are good especially the hard plastic minis for your forces. Unlike Inis this game is good enough to stay in the collection and even getting me to think about possibly letting either Kemet or Cry Havoc go! Which is a bloody hard decision if I have to make it. At the moment my heart says we have room for all four games.

UPDATE: forgot to add clans played:

Phoenix clan – me
Crab clan – Jeff
Dragon clan – Josh

New Arrivals

7 Wonders metal coins
The Expanse Boardgame plus expansion
Gachapon Trick
Tally Up
Alien Frontiers Edition X
Targi plus expansion
Roar Rise of Ancient Reptiles
Mayday Premium card sleeves
Gunsen The Battle for Toshi Ranbo
Sausage Sizzle!
Acquire 60th Anniversary Edition
Hanami Deluxe Edition

Remembering the toughest SOB ever

September 10, 2026life, the universe, and everythingDarren

This anniversary always seems to sneak up on me.

As I walked Dolly and Diego this morning instead of my usual thoughts I spent the time telling them about Dad.

Even now decades since his passing his words of “wisdom” live on and come to mind regularly. Such as “shit happens” or “size means nothing when they are on the ground”.

And despite what Stone Cold Steve Austin thinks Dad was and still is the toughest SOB I’ve ever known.

Luckily I still have slightly more hair than he had.

“How I wish, how I wish you were here
We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground, what have we found?
The same old fears, wish you were here” Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd

Apparently today is World Suicide Prevention Day. I never knew that.
It’s also very appropriate considering the anniversary from my life it shares the day with.
On this day in 1988 my Dad took his own life.
If life seems too dark and you are struggling please speak to someone, reach out. You are not alone. You are important.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

LiveFromPeru Part 14

September 7, 2026#littlemonsters, #livefromperu, #MonsterSquad, #SuicideSquad, #the3d’s, #walkingDollyDarren

I thought I’d share photos I took of the socialisation walk Dolly and Diogo went on at Shouldham Warren.

Yeah I actually remembered this time.

There were three other dogs on this walk.

Yeah we had the initial vocalisation of excitement from Diogo at the start. But being a food oriented, and bribable young dog. I was able to keep that to a minimum. Although not perfectly.

But on the walk round Shouldham Warren itself they both were really well behaved. Even when other dogs came the other way, and at the end. Yes he barked but was better.

There is another socialisation walk that master blaster (yes that’s my nickname for Dolly and Diogo) are booked on next weekend. Followed by a pick up and train session for Diogo.

Looking forward to next weekends walk.