Preparedness for when

maryb

I've got a Porkert mincer, it's pretty solid. Made in Eastern Europe and it wasn't expensive. However I found I had to be really careful about cutting off every bit of connective tissue as it gums everything up (Fat is fine). I picked up a mincing attachment for my Kenwood Chef and it is certainly no better than the Porkert. It also came with a sausage attachment. It was quite good fun using it and I did like the sausages. I used to work near Smithfield back in those days and I could get sausage skins very easily at a butcher's sundries supplier. It was, shall we say, instructive looking at the huge tubs of additives and flavourings they also stocked. I might have another go at making some. I can get lovely sausages from my butcher which I trust but it's a special trip and they are quite expensive

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE I totally agree, survival is knowledge and practical skills which have to be phisically done to be learned, theory is OK but doesn't really prepare you for the reality of doing!!! You can read how to paunch and skin a rabbit, but you need to actually do it before you learn technique. Skills also to make the equipment needed to catch or harvest your sustenance rather than relying on something ready made are a must. What happens if all your dependence is on that last piece of fishing line and you get it broken by the one that got away? Better by far to know how to babb for eels or be able to make a fish trap from the materials you have available, that is true survival skill, how to make a snare from horsehair, set a drop trap for a squirrel, tickle trout - the less dependant you are on 21st century trappings, the more likely you are to survive without them, Cheers Lyn xxx.

[Deleted User]

I found rabbit far easier than, say, duck.

It's almost as though nature designed the rabbit to be skinned.

Also, don't forget, if things get really bad, family pets (unless the dog is a very good hunter) should be candidates for the pot too.

[Deleted User]

I am absolutely certain that no matter how tough things got I would not, could not, ever ever make a meal from the lurcher - a) He's much too fast to be caught, b) Hes a real skinny minnie so very little sustenence would be had from his spider like form,and most pertinently c) He is nearly 9 and no matter how long I stewed him for he would still be a tough old bird and totally inedible!!!!!!! Mind you, it might make good glue!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I didn't really say that did I? AAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

[Deleted User]

HEWP!!!!!! Iz DOCKY heer, hoo is ver nit wot givde Mumi ver ideer vat yew kud cooker Lurcha? Mumi iz mesurin mee wiv mine taiw an measrin ver kukkin pottz in ver cubud, AWFIE - kan eye kum an livze wiv yew????? Iz dangrus heer, yer frend DOCKYxxx.

GreyQueen

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I was kinda hoping you didn't know know that.

I'm widely-read (not always wisely but definately widely). Plus I keep strange company at times such as with historical re-enactors. You're a bad person!:p

And never let a 'keeper catch you with a gill net or a nightline unless you want to be in serious trouble. I know the theory of guddling (aka tickling) trout but have never done it. We don't seem to have trout around here. Well, Waitr0se have it, I suppose. I'm not allowed in there on grounds of being poor-ish.

frosty wrote: »

I managed to buy100 bees wax candles off the halfcost site last year.they only cost 20p each,they cost a fortune in the shops.

Fantastic deal, beeswax candles are gorgeous. Well done.

Rosemary_Jane wrote: »

I was just wondering if the 'slumpy bit' is because the wick is absorbing some wax? Would it be worth experimenting by just doing one dipping when melting the wax anyway?

It would mean the wick won't absorb any of the main wax pour and might mean there's no slump, and it might also help the wick to stay straight in the middle of the candle, meaning it'll burn more cleanly.

Maybe I'm talking rubbish. Great that you're sharing your experiments with us, GQ

Thanks. I was very enthused then later thought, uh-oh, going off-topic, will get cashiered and sent to a craft board.:)

I think it was as nuatha said, the outer is cooling faster than the inner and it's drawing the liquid wax towards the edges. I did find as I poured the was that the wicks took up a little wax about 1 cm above the pour-line anyway. The area which slumped is big enough to put two of my fingers into and over an inch deep so it's quite a hole to fill. I'm learning by doing, which is a good way, I think.

I was surprised at how long the container was holding the heat and will leave it a few days before cutting it away. Don't want a hot wax treatment for my toesies. I haven't refilled my slumpy bits as have spent the day busy about other affairs but I may play around after work tomorrow.

Basketry is on my to-learn list and that transfers into making a fish trap as the materials and techniques are identical.

I've known quite a few people who dine substantially on roadkill, as have dwelt in a part of the world where kamikaze pheasants and lots of deer are a regular motoring hazard.

I honestly consider pheasants to be the most stupid fowl on the planet. I've seen them out in the middle of a field, first thing in the morning and me the only thing on the road for miles. Then they decide to run 50 metres full-tilt across the field and then straight across the road in front of you.:mad: Some days I've had a choice of hitting two on my side of the road or three on the other.

You go walking in the woods and the galv bird feeders are out there and the daft things run up to you when newly released by the 'keeper and cheep around your feet like chickens (but less clever). Beats me how they can be judged to be game. And their crops are always jammed-full of grain.

Car-struck pheasants are best casseroled, in my experience. Pan fry the meat in bits once rolled in flour then casserole with carrots and celery. As told to me by an expert cook and tried out sucessfully. Nomnomnom.

ETAWe'd just do what our ancestors did; keep the cats outside to hunt vermin and not feed them bar the odd saucer of milk. And lurchers like Docky have been the preferred hound of the travelling types for a long time; set them after the bunnies. Mind you, a pal has a medium-size mongrel terrier and it's bliddy fast, the only thing that can match it on open parkland is a greyhound, and that's close.

fuddle

You're kidding right? No survivalist worth their salt would stick a beagle/collie cross in their pot. He'd hunt the day long he would plus no doubt herd a few sheep too

[Deleted User]

GQ couldn't you just sneak into W*itrose one day and tickle the ones they have there, if they giggle, you'll know you're a natural!!!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

GreyQueen

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

GQ couldn't you just sneak into W*itrose one day and tickle the ones they have there, if they giggle, you'll know you're a natural!!!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

They won't let me in as I can't get past Security. I could try and get a posh friend to smuggle me in, I suppose.:D

fuddle

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

HEWP!!!!!! Iz DOCKY heer, hoo is ver nit wot givde Mumi ver ideer vat yew kud cooker Lurcha? Mumi iz mesurin mee wiv mine taiw an measrin ver kukkin pottz in ver cubud, AWFIE - kan eye kum an livze wiv yew????? Iz dangrus heer, yer frend DOCKYxxx.

Darn right he can! Lurcher and beagle/collie. :T:T:T I'l look after you But bring your mam and he who knows because then we'll all be aliright. It'll be fine, my cooking pots are the size of a bag of carrots