I thought I’d start this post with the latest photos of Ace at a recent vets appointment.
Ace at the vets
I’ve also update the previous post with a new photo of his paw healing. That post will be the one stop place documenting his recovery.
Yesterday was another lovely warm spring day.
So I used my Firebox Nano with the Trangia burner to make a cuppa of British Army tea. This was the ideal opportunity to try out the brand new Firebox titanium box pot.
Trying the new titanium box pot from Firebox
I don’t remember seeing pots this shape before. It kinda works. Pouring water is much easier using one of the corners. There is even an oven stone for it. But I’m sure I’ll talk more about this in a future post along with the 5” Firebox stove that came with it in the post.
Naturally I like to give the little monsters the chance to chill in the “garden” and enjoy being outside.
So I dug out my camp chair and sat outside with them. Tarp hat on of course to protect me from the harsh sun.
This time next month that shed will be gone.Dolly and Diogo enjoying the spring sun
As I wait for the final handful of bits for the 3D printed insert that allows me to combine the base game and A Prophecy of Kings into one box. I have also combined the bits from the four codexes that FFG did. They kindly included the cards in the Thunders Edge expansion.
I also sent the pdfs of the codexes off to a printers along with the “latest” rules reference. I splashed out for colour printing.
I’ve also revisited organising my Marvel Champions collection. In reality I need another storage case. There are just way too many cards.
Like TI4 I’ve sent off the pdf of the latest rules reference to be printed in colour. Sadly it wasn’t at the same time but a week later.
Just like Marvel Champions I need a new bigger case to hold my card pool (oh that sounds so pretentious). However I did make sure the runner and corp learning decks were back to the initial state, and the additional cards separate. So they are all ready to go if by any chance I get some one remotely interested in learning Netrunner. I also reset the original FFG core set decks to a different runner and Corp so that they can also be used for beginner games.
Now this next bit of the post is a straight copy and paste of what I shared on the Fire Maple Facebook page this morning. It’s also why this blog hardly gets read. Posts are all over the place.
Morning! Decided to make my first coffee of the day using my Fire Maple Lotus Titanium Solid Fuel Stove and Keith titanium canteen cup. I usually use and store this stove with my Trangia mini mess tins, it fits perfectly inside that. The pour over was a MERMOO YILAN Collapsible Pour Over Coffee Dripper Cone off Amazon. Only draw back of this cone is you can’t see how full the cup underneath is without lifting it.
If I can give Fire Maple some feedback on this stove (which I love by the way) in the UK we can’t legally use the intended solid fuel with it. Ideally I’d love to see those base slots go so we can use the BCB fire dragon blocks with it. Currently I have to use a little foil mod to stop the fire dragon fuel melting out of the slots or use a meths burner of some kind (which I currently do)
Yesterday morning while waiting for some homemade sausage rolls to cook I decided to play with a brew kit I put together and make a coffee.
For early February it was rather pleasant with the sun out, and barely a breeze.
The brew kit I had put together uses a Camping Moon pear shaped canvas mini bag (purchased off that AliExpress place) to hold everything. Well almost the mug (in this case a Kupilka 21 classic cup) is external.
Inside is a Trangia 27 aluminium kettle, which is 600ml capacity if I remember correctly.
Trangia with a preheater attached, and a cross stand. Trangia Aluminium Kettle 27.Trangia triangle with a pan stand,Kupilka 21 Classic Cup
Inside the kettle is the Trangia stove itself and a preheater attached to it. Plus some sachets of coffee, whitener, and sugar.
In the bottom of the case is stored a Trangia Triangle and an official pan stand plus a cross stand.
This is a nice relatively compact brew kit, granted the cup is external, and it needs a folding spork/spoon adding. Which will easily fit inside. Plus fuel not in the Trangia is also stored external. Which I prefer.
I used my ferro rod to ignite the Trangia. Typical it was at this moment that a slight breeze decided to make itself known. Although the meths ignited the breeze however slight was enough to blow out the flame.
After four attempts with the same result I was beginning to regret using the cross stand over the triangle. But fifth time the charm.
The breeze had disappeared.
Even though this wasn’t the peace and quiet of the middle of nowhere or a woods. It still had a restful affect. The change of pace. The break from routine. The waiting for the water to boil.
The annoying thing about walking at Whitehills Wood is getting into the car park.
There is no signage to indicate where you turn in.
You are literally right on top of the entrance before you see it.
Which means you are breaking hard.
I always feel like I’m a fighter pilot landing on an aircraft carrier pulling into this car park.
And the entrance itself is rather bumpy if I’m being generous. So a bumpy landing so to speak.
After a spell of colder weather, the last day or two had been quite mild. Today was no different continuing the weather trend.
I’m not a weather forecaster, but personal experience tells me after the weekend we will get a few days of damper weather. Saturday will see a few fireworks going off. And that usually affects the weather. It’s all the sulphur or whatever they put in the fireworks entering the atmosphere.
We had barely started our walk when I saw a muntjac wander into the path ahead, notice us, and return the way they’d come.
It wasn’t long into our walk that I was removing my shemagh because I was getting too hot.
I loved the contrast between the deciduous trees of this wood and the coniferous trees at this time of year as we made our way round the walk. The autumnal shades of browns, fading greens. At one point leaves were falling like a light shower.
Crime scene. We have an alibiPolish Army Bread Bag, Pathfinder Canteen Trail Set in a Valtcan Canteen Pouch Carrying CaseGimme more jerky!Our brew spot
We found a quiet spot not far from the main path to have our brew and enjoy the sounds of nature.
Today’s brew was made using the titanium version of the G2 Firebox Nano. I’d bought it with the X-Case kit, flame guard, leather case, and grill (not pictured).
I’d bought the Nano with the X-Case kit because it provides more stability for the Nano, and acts as an ash tray. Whilst also providing a cool storage case for the stove.
Yes I have to admit having the stove in a rather cool, luxurious leather case does undo the weight advantage of having the titanium version of the stove.
X-Case, titanium flame guardNano sticks, Carbon felt pad and L-pins from the X-CasePathfinder nesting cup with lid, Sea to Summit X Collapsible Silicone Mug, high temperature soldering matLeather case for the NanoG2 Firebox Nano (titanium edition)
The carbon felt pad that comes with the X-Case is intended to be used as a windshield. However there was no breeze today. But I don’t think I’d use it that way. I have my foil windscreen in my cook kit that I’d use instead. I’m more likely to use the felt pad to help insulate the X-Case and stove from the ground to stop any heat transfer, and leaving any nasty marks on the ground. It’s why I have the high temperature soldering mat in the bag. This soldering mat is a perfect size for this stove or the next mystery stove I will be using. Or even meths stoves like the Trangia.
I also have a Forest Fundamentals Artisan Fire Mat with me. Which too can be used to protect the ground from a stove. But it can also be used for sitting or kneeling on, bushcrafty stuff, starting fires. I just need to find a way to attach it to the Polish Army Bread Bag so it’s not flapping around.
The stove is lightning fast to set up. And it should be because it’s a folding stove. No having to assemble the stove before use. It pops open. Literally. It took me longer to get into the X-Case. Which by the way I find a bit stiff to open.
Today I used a bic lighter to start the fire with birch bark.
I was taken aback by just how little wood I used to boil my water for a brew.
The flame guard was amazing. I was able to lift the nesting cup from the stove without using my leather glove. It worked as advertised. It also provides a bit of wind protection if needed.
Feeding in wood via the two holes at the bottom of the stove was pretty cool. It allowed me to use the longer lengths of “processed” kindling I had with me.
Once the flames were out, and I had emptied the ash on to the X-Case the stove cooled down pretty fast.
Being a proponent of leave no trace I left no scorch marks, carried my ash and waste out with me.
The stove in the X-Case packs down quite small. Would easily fit in a pocket. Obviously the leather case (not needed) does make it a bit bulkier. But it’s so cool.
I really like this stove. I’ve yet to try it with the Trangia. Maybe next time. I want to get the Wood Flame Gas Burner & Ti Ember Glow Diffuser to try with it. I didn’t get the solid fuel plate for it. I should for completeness. However it’s not a fuel type I’d plan to use with it. I think meths or gas would be it.
Has this stove replaced the Bushbuddy for me?I’m thinking it just might have!
After our brew stop we continued our circular walk making our way back to the car.
Although there seemed to be much more up than we had done down.
Storm Benjamin has been and gone. Once again despite being in the yellow warning zone our eastily location protected us from the worst of Storm Ben.
It was time once more for Dolly and me to stretch our legs on something a bit longer than our usually daily walks.
Our walk today was a return to Dersingham Bog. A walk Dolly and I hadn’t done since earlier in the year when we came here for the charity walks we did.
As you can see from the photos there were blue skies, the sun breaking through the clouds. What the photos can’t show is the wind adding a chill to walk.
“Hurry up and get the jerky out.“, Forest Fundamentals™ Artisan Fire Mat, 80’s Polish Army Canvas Webbing Bread Bag SatchelIf I watch it will it boil faster?Dersingham BogEnjoying a brew
Thanks to the sandy soil, although we didn’t see any deer, we saw signs that they had been there as we walked round. Mainly thanks to their hoof prints still detectable amongst those of walkers, dogs, and horses.
I love spotting the fungi this time of year. There seemed to be a wider variety here than at the woods of Roydon Common.
Southern BracketThe fungi spotted (I’ll update once I’ve identified them)
We did find a brew spot under a tree. However it wasn’t ideal. But then again the side we were walking along of the bog had no real spots that gave any protection from the wind.
This meant lighting the alcohol stove with my lighter was challenging. It meant I had to resort to my fire starting kit and using the wick and bellows to get the stove to ignite.
After boiling water for a brew, I put more water on to make lunch with.
Today was a bit of recipe development for a project I have started. So I’m not going into detail here you’ll find that when the project gets announced. However I was rather pleased how this first attempt at a Japanese inspired/style curry ended up. If I had one critique then it would be that the prawns could have done with slightly longer rehydrating.
I have a couple more recipes I need to work on/try for this project. I’ll be trying these on future walks.
Speedster 30ml Spill Proof Meths/Alcohol Burner Gold, BCB Crusader Cooker Mk1 Pathfinder 25oz Stainless Steel Nesting Cup with Lid and Bat-Wing handlesJapanese inspired curryFolding chefs knife, plastic spatula, collapsible folding ladle, Boundless Voyage titanium long tweezersLightweight chopping board, foil windscreen Long handled titanium spork, Sea to Summit Delta Long-Handled Spoon, titanium chopsticks ,Lifeventure Superlight Titanium Spork with Serrated Cutting Edge, Boundless Voyage Titanium SpoonThe freeze dried vegetables for the curry.
A part from recipes to try I have a backlog of stoves and pots I want to use on the walks. One of these is the Serotonin Firefly Mini Stove. This is a wood burning stove that packs away to a small size. It’s also most likely to be the one I take out next time.
The Pathfinder cup worked well with the BCB Crusader mk1 cooker, as did the Speedster stove.
This was a chilly but chilled! walk back in nature. Just what the doctor ordered.
Here we are with my second new setup for making a brew whilst out on a walk or even a meal. But this is equally at home on a backpacking trip also.
The BCB Crusader Mk1 Cooking System isn’t the lightest cooking system by a long shot.
There are two versions of the cook system from BCB. The main difference between the two are the crusader cooker and cup. The Mk1 crusader cup has a capacity of 750ml, whilst the Mk2 has a capacity of a litre. I also think the Mk2 crusader cup is lighter. The crusader cookers are also very different. The Mk1 is much shorter and meant to be a solid fuel only stove. While the Mk2 is taller, more ventilation, and can use multiple fuel sources. Whether that’s solid fuel, alcohol burners, or even a fire.
I’ve gone with the Mk1 version because it is a shorter form factor compared to the Mk2.
A brand new Mk1 cookset from BCB comes in at £95. However you can pick used ones (army surplus) much cheaper. For your money you get the following: “Plastic Mug & Water bottle (Osprey / NATO), Crusader Cup Lid, Crusader Cup, Crusader Cooker, Zulu Belt pouch, Fireball Flint and Striker” (plus some solid fuel blocks).
It is possible to use a Trangia with the Mk1 Crusader cooker if you use an alcohol stove cross stand (see the photos below).
How the crusader cup would be used with the crusader stoveThe plastic Osprey water bottle, plastic cup, lid, and ferro rodThe Crusader stoveHow the Trangia can be used with the Mk1 crusader stoveEverything inside minus the TrangiaHow the Trangia can be used with the Mk1 crusader stove a better shotThe inside of the pouch showing the little pocketThe belt pouch The official plastic lid and the third party (eBay) metal lid
Ok the water bottle has a capacity of a litre, and its companion plastic mug has a capacity of 500ml.
Compared to the Boundless Voyage titanium cook set in the previous post this is heavier. For starters it has the water bottle and mug which the other set doesn’t have. Oh and the handy ferro rod. And to be fair you would need to have if using the other set. Otherwise I don’t think the difference in weight if considering just the cooker and crusader cup, although heavier is too big.
The advantage this has over the Boundless Voyage setup is you can use just solid fuel tablets with it, with no need for a meths burner. Saving a bit of weight there. Granted not a great deal. But still.
For the record I also have the Mk2 crusader cooker. So for me that is also an option. But also shows you can just buy the bits of this system that you want quite easily. It’s also possible to replace the plastic crusader lid with a third party (usually custom made, see photo above) metal lid.
What I like also about this setup is it’s literally bombproof. After all this is designed for use by the British Army. It’s meant to be able to take a lot of abuse.
Well that’s the brief look at the BCB Crusader Mk1. I think I have at least one other newish one to share in another post. So more to come.
This is the first in a series of posts where I will look at recent purchases that can be used as a cookset for backpacking/camping. These are cooksets for a single person, not intended for cooking for multiple people.
I think any of these cooksets covered in this and future posts would be great in a day pack for a walk, or possible backpacking trip.
Yet again a YouTube video got me ordering more gear.
This time it was the Boundless Voyage Titanium Cookware Set.
What do you get for your money? For starters you get an 800ml canteen cup aka a pot, a mesh storage bag, a lid for the pot, and what they describe as a wood stove. Like some of the canteen sets out there this cooker allows you to have a fire to do your cooking. However for me that would be a last resort.
The problem for me with using this type of cooker/stove with a fire is the scar it would leave behind. Not very leave no trace. Yes you could use something to place this on to try and avoid that. But I think it would still leave a mark on the ground.
Everything insideWood stovefolding titanium spoon, and a BCB Fireball Flint and StrikerGoshawk OP-100800ml canteen cup aka a pot800ml canteen cup aka a potGoshawk OP-100Wood stoveLidMesh storage bag
My preference for heat source would be a Trangia or some other alcohol/solid fuel stove. The stove then acts like a windshield and pot support.
The lid itself for the canteen isn’t very tight fitting.
What I like about the pot is that you have the handles on the side plus the handle to hang it with. Although to be fair I’m more likely to be using this handle to remove the pot off the heat than hanging it over an open fire.
I’ve not weighed it but it is listed as weighing in at 230g.
To this cook set I’ve added the Goshawk OP-100 alcohol stove, a folding titanium spoon, and a BCB Fireball Flint and Striker.
Plus at just shy of £38 (from Aliexpress) this isn’t bad value for a cookset.
This is a nice compact cook set that doesn’t take up much space. The only thing I’d need adding to this is a cup of some sort.
