Work party, water, wood hauling, first aid kit, prep for winter 101

   My friend got together a work party of about 15 people to clear the last few hundred feet of trail, then onwards to the cabin in the woods to do a bit of tree falling (dead trees only), wood chopping and hauling the wood to the cabin to prepare it for the winter. 

We all got together at the school and started our journey, there were a couple of new memebers with a family of three kids, they ranged in age from about 15, 12, and 6 years old...they had done a lot of hiking before so they were eager.  We started off where my friend and I had left off, then over the bridge and about 2 hours later arrived at the cabin.
Wow what a walk...I had never been on this part of the trail so did not expect the climb up the hill with a rope...holy moly it was all straight up for about a kilometer, then another kilometer of just uphill, boy I thought my legs were going to scream at me, fortunatley I survived. (grin).

After all that climbing about 15 more minutes then we made it to the cabin...boy was I happy...and hungry...we all sat down for a quick lunch then off we went.  All along the way I ate wild blueberries...yummm...they are just starting to get ripe, they are a wee bit late this year because the weather has been crappy, so maybe next weekend they will be ripe.  My friend cut down a couple of very dead trees, and we all got into a little convoy, and we started hauling it to the cabin.  The 15 year old boy started chopping the wood up and putting it under the cabin.  I was truly amazed at this kid, he chopped up every peice of wood. The youngest would bring in one piece at a time and give it to his brother, he had great fun.  Then we hauled some water in for the filtration system.   This system consists of three ceramic filters and takes hours to get it all filtered...but worth it...you get clean drinking water.

By this time it was about 34 degrees Celcius outside at it was hot. The bugs were all out in great profusion and would not stop being pests....  So after a lot of hauling, it was time for a swim in the lake.  The temperature was perfect, nice and warm the first 6 inches of the surface...and cooler below that point...I was in heaven.  I did not want to come out.  But the day was starting to wind down we still had another 1.5 hours hike out...(downhill much faster)..then 1.5 hour drive to my friends place and then another 40 minute drive home for me.  I got home at around 900pm...happy and tired. 

FIRST AID KIT

It is always good to have a bit of a first aid kit when going out into the bush, never know when you may need it.
A few things to have are Bandages, needle, thread (grin), polysporin, food grade hydrogen peroxide, Iodine (kids like it cause it does not hurt, large and small compresses.
Bug spray like off skintastic.   I make my own (grin).

I tend to bring a few more natural things with me, as I do dabble in aromatherapy and have found a few great things that work really well.

Lavender oil is good for the treatment of burns, scalds, and any insect bite.  I have used lavender on a burn once, and the pain went away almost immediatley (was amazing)...also good for insect bites as it take the itch away.  Lavender oil is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic and detoxifier which promotes healing and prevents scarring, it also stimulates the immune system and contributes to the healing process by stimulating the cells of a wound to regenerate more quickly.   YES IT REALLY WORKS!!!  I have it on me 24/7.
Tea Tree oil.  The antiseptic action of tea tree oil is thought to be 100 times more powerful than carbolic acid-and yet is non poisonous to humans.  The Aborigines have been using this indigenous Australian tree in their medications for centuries.  Its impressive antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties make it useful in a wide range on conditions.  It can be used in the treatment for many infections, ringworm, sunburn, acne, toothaches, mouthwash, among many other things too long to list.
Chamomile oil. There are a few types of chamomile oil the two most important ones are Chamomile German which is a deep blue color due to it's high azulene content.   The other is chamomile Roman, which is really good for insomnia.  Chamomlie is good in the treatment of burns, eczema, sunburn, and a very long list of other things.  It is a very calming oil. Great calming tea.
Calendula This is very healing to the skin (I make this into a salve for myself).  Calendula is specifically recommended for burns and is also antimicrobial, making it suitable for the treatment of many types of skin infections. 
Now one more thing left...if you don't like deet on your skin (which most of the time I don't), then here is a great natural way to may your own Bug repellant.
5 drops of eucalyptus oil
2 drops orange
4 drops lavender
2 drops lemon
8 drops cedar
1 drop peppermint
1 drop clove
1 drop cinnamon
2 ounces of whatever carrier oil you like.
I use Kukui oil because it goes on the skin so well and does not feel greasy.

I think I better stop in all my lessons for today....

It was a great day!!!!!!!

September long weekend I want to stay overnight in one of those cabins.