CONGRATULATIONS TO ARIES, FROM HONG KONG, FOR EMERGING AS THE WINNER OF THE GREAT WELSH SHOWDOWN!

Andrew boiling some water to make tea

Today the 6 bloggers ventured into the Gower wilderness for some bushcraft lessons. The day started with some tips from one of the instructors, Rick, on how to forage for food in the wild. The bloggers were also taught how to identify plants that can be used to start fires, plants with antiseptic properties and medicinal values, and plants that can be made into cord, to name a few.

Rick introduces the ways of foraging for food in the wild

Learning how to create a cord

Another useful skill the bloggers learnt was the basics of starting fires. One method they learnt was striking metal against a flint on a piece of cotton wool, a fairly flammable substance. This method was used before the invention of matches:

Nellie attempts to ignite a ball of cotton wool

Going even further back in history, the bloggers were introduced to the oldest known method of lighting a fire, involving two sticks, a bow, and a lot of patience. Here is Andrew, another instructor, demonstrating how the experts do it:

Andrew teaching the oldest known method of lighting a fire

For part 1 of this challenge, the bloggers were split into 2 groups of 3 bloggers each, and each group were made to pit their new skills against each other. The groups were as follows-

Group A: Yuko (Japan), Anthony (Australia), and Aries (Hong Kong)
Group B: Aparna (India), Nellie (Singapore), and Dong Gu (Korea)

In part 1.1, each group of bloggers were required to start up fire using the oldest method of fire-starting known to men. The first group that managed to start this fire would win this part of the challenge.

In part 1.2, each group of bloggers were required to set up a shelter using branches. The judging criteria included – comfort, aesthetics, how innovative the shelters were, and how water-proof it was. The “best” shelter, chosen by the bushcraft instructor, would win this part of the challenge.

(L to R) Aries, Yuko, Anthony in front of their shelter

Creating a shelter

Group B, who named themselves “Team Indiana Jones”, emerged the winner for both challenges. They were the clear cut winners for the first challenges as they managed to light the fire fairly quickly compared to the Group A. However, they only won by a small margin for the latter challenge, emerging as the overall winner of Part 1 of this day.

So congratulations to X

The winners of the "Who lights the fire the fastest" challenge - (L to R) Nellie, Dong Gu, Aparna, with their "fire"

The winners of the "Who builds the best shelter" challenge - (L to R) Dong Gu, Aparna, Nellie (again!)

However, for the other 3 bloggers, not all is lost, as there’s a part 2 for this challenge.

For the blogging aspect of this challenge (ie: part 2 of this challenge), the bloggers will be providing you with some tips on how to survive in the wilderness. Leave a comment on your favourite blogger’s post on his/her blog to help him/her win part 2 of this challenge.