Preparedness for when

[Deleted User]

PINEAPPLE I was over 60 when I did the bushcraft course but didn't complete it , not because I couldn't cope. I dropped out at the end of day 1 because I realised that I knew all they were going to teach us, and because of the abysmal ignorance of the other 20 odd people who couldn't even recognise a Hawthorn Bush and didn't know what a Crab Apple was. Most of them were either 40sish men dressed up as Rambo in combat fatigues comparing the size of thier Knives or 30sish women totally inappropriately dressed and inclined to giggle a lot!!!!!! I didn't want to be there when the leaders gave out supper in the form of Rabbits in the Fur to see the combined reactions, I'd have split my sides laughing and been very unpopular!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

[Deleted User]

Rabbit is one of the easiest meals you will get.

It's almost like nature designed them to be skinned.

JayneC

pineapple my DS went on a bushcraft course with some other kids when we did HE and it wasn't that strenuous. It included stuff like using the environment to orientate (tress are bushier on the side that faces south, etc...) edible trees, tapping trees for sap and firelighting using a fire-steel and cotton wool balls. The guy did it just for our group and it was just a couple of hours. I guess he would adjust teachings according to what groups wanted, so you could arrange a group if you wanted something in particular?

We're having a few snow flurries today, but not as bad as I expected, so no allotment again:( will get some seeds in trays though and just had a look at my grow your own mushrooms and am incredibly excited that there's actual baby mushrooms growing in my airing cupboard - my last attempt was a fail, but it was just a Poundland kit. Having said that though this one is just from Aldi.

I've just improvised some new rugs. Mum n Dad have got a new bed and on taking their old divan to bits ( cos that's what you do apparently) they decided that the wool wadding looked like it might be useful for something and asked if I wanted it. It actually makes pretty decent rugs, they're warm and look a bit Boho. Crazy Doggie seems to be a fan, she's curled up fast asleep on one:p! and they're definitely an improvement on bare wood floorboards. I may edge them with something but they looksurprisngly ok.

Have a good day everyone x

JayneC

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Rabbit is one of the easiest meals you will get.

It's almost like nature designed them to be skinned.

I am starting to seriously consider raising rabbits for meat. I have a book somewhere with advice on breeding and caring for rabbits for meat and they definitely take up less room than sheep and cows:D A bit less conspicuous too;) Can also feed crazy doggie with the leftovers. Think I've talked myself into it - off to look for my book....

ginnyknit

GQ Im not sure what the power cuts were about. First I knew I could hear peoples smoke alarms buzzing - they are mains powered and so loud you can hear them from 3 houses away. Then a friend put on facebook about people having no power and she lives within view of my front door. Am going to ask around and do a little online ferretting to see what I can find. Ours stayed on but we were ready for it which is all that matters. I was just worried that my bargain pork wouldnt cook in time because I would certainly not be able to keep it part cooked ...see's food poisoning in our future....:shocked:

Jaynec I am tempted by mushroom growing kits, they would be quite exciting to grow by the sound of it. I have only seen expensive ones which put me off but will have a look around now you have mentioned Aldi.

elona

Jayne

I have a hazy memory of something called "rabbit starvation" when explorers subsisted mainly on rabbit meat and were very ill and nearly died.

Looking forward to the budget today (DH will be glued to the screen) and making a big pan of veg soup this morning so we can have some for lunch. Planning home made rolls tonight and maybe fish parcels with veg on top. I think I may have lost part of a filling yesterday so keeping to less chewable meals till I get to dentist.

Puzzled that people keep saying it is Spring as I thought the equinox is tomorrow. Snow has melted but it is still cold here.

We have used up the family pack of meat I got from local butcher last week so might pop down and buy some more this morning as really pleased with quality and how well it cooks without shrinking.

Hug to all and fingers crossed we don't get clobbered by budget.

[Deleted User]

elona wrote: »

I have a hazy memory of something called "rabbit starvation" when explorers subsisted mainly on rabbit meat and were very ill and nearly died.

Your memory hasn't let you down.

The Hudson Bay company records cases of trappers dying of malnutrition, due to living on a diet of rabbit meat.

The problem arose because there were so many rabbits in the area, the trappers didn't bother eating much of anything else.

It occurs because rabbit meat is deficient, in a number of vital vitamins and minerals.

Just make sure you eat plenty of greens, to accompany the rabbit meat, and you will be fine.

JayneC

Thanks elona and bob. I hadn't heard of that, tho I definitely wasn't considering eating nothing but rabbit - I think a diet that's not varied will inevitably lead to malnutrition, whatever you are subsisting on.

I do have a couple of chickens at the mo, but for eggs. I'm considering getting a few more and possibly a couple of ducks for meat too, but have very limited space so will have to be careful they don't get overcrowded. Unfortunately we're not allowed livestock at the allotment site so can't expand there, so it's allotment for fruit and veggies ( and possibly some grain for chick feed) and home for meat and herbs/salady stuff mainly. I must start exploring a bit further for foraging opportunities too and I live on the coast so could fish, shamefully I don't know how to fish (well I do in theory but haven't actually tried it), but it's on my list of things I need to learn. There's supposedly mackerel easily caught off this coast so I should pull my finger out and just do it.

Well off to do some chores, back later x

mrs_lds

Big fan of Nigel here sthe latest from him

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-19/nigel-farage-message-europeans-get-your-money-out-while-you-can

mardatha

Yep, you need to throw other game meat into the rabbit stew, along with as many veggies as you can find. Rabbit gets boring fast btw