Chronicles of Extreme Camp and Wild Jerk

Wild Jerk Chronicles New Address

2008-06-05T16:20:00.005-04:00

HI Wild Jerkers

You can get the most recent Wild Jerk news at Wild Jerk Chronicles New Address.

2008-05-02T12:46:00.000-04:00

Wild Jerk continues to get better and better. Once again we received a lot of compliments about our new venue. The Special Pot – Pot Roast Wild Beef went faster than hot bread… well almost. Even though we did not have our regular crowd, I was thrilled that we got new customers who heard about our Wild Jerk and came running. Of special is the taximan Mason, who was carrying a customer who had just purchased some Wild Jerk. According to Mason the “smell of the pork did a mad mi and mi had to find out where it come from.”

We now have a new sponsor – Kaboom Energy Drink – more on that at a later date. Suffice it to say – For every serving of Wild / Special Pot you get a Kaboom Energy Drink, you can even mix it with your favorite brew from the bar.

Next Wild Jerk is May 30^th – see you there.

A relatively calm and sedate Wild Jerk

2008-03-31T14:39:00.003-04:00

Well Wild Jerkers,

The new venue was a hit with those of you who came. And ... "de poke" sell "aff" by 7:30 pm - can you Imagine!?

The Wild Jerk Lava was a hit with the Digicel guys and other pepper connosieurs- "you know the ones who said that my Spicy Salsa (which made my ears ring, my nose and eyes water) was not hot." Well not so with the Lava - sniffles were heard going through the gate... and yours truly was grinning all the way. (Gonna have to carry more next time)

Now remember you can bring your group of friends and lyme Under the Mango Tree. Margot (the proprietor) is uber cool. Bring you dominoes, and games and make it an great evening with your friends and the Wild Jerk team.

Well as I said, it was a relatively calm Wild Jerk as the regular rowdy friends supported but did not stay. A few people were disappointed as the Cartwheel Dumpling was finished when they returned.

I have it on good authority that one person tried to bribe another out of their Cartwheel but without luck..their path was blocked and were told to "name their price" but they were not letting go. O well what can I say.

For those of you "cussing" me because I did not leave any pork for you..... if you don't order your pork I cannot put it down. Call mi pon mi "circular" and place yuh order.

Till next Wild Jerk - dat will be April 25, 2008 - one love

THAT'S A LOT OF BULL!!

2008-03-25T09:04:00.004-04:00

Well Wild Jerkers on Friday night (21 Mar) we set out on a journey across Far Walk heading to Long Bay Yard (your remember that 28 mile hike don't you?) However after we crossed the river (yes that one with the crocodile), not even 10 minutes into the hike the dogs took off into the bush. The hunting party was on spot and several shots later a young bull was down.

Now I have been hearing tales about these wild cows that live in the hills and was surprised that we encountered one as they rarely come off the hill. According to the stories from the hunters, some people had to get intimate with a cassia "macca" tree to escape the charging bull. Rohan and I were a little ahead of the group so, since I was not a witness to the event I can only "spread the rumour" (with some glee, I might add).

Unfortunately, the bull fell in a gully and we had to slaughter and disembowel it right there. Several "heave ho's" later with about ten men pulling at the ropes it was hauled up to the banking.

We had to cut it in half and use two teams to pull it along to the river. Happily the crocs decided to stay on the other side of the wall.

Back at camp - merriment and celebration, picture posing , dogs sleeping from exhaustion..... and they decided to go back on the hunt. I declined - my shoes were wet and I was not in the mood for blisters. I thought the meat would be tough but everybody said it was surprisingly soft. I must check if we have enough from our share (it had to share with a lot of people alright?) to have a Special Pot. How does pot roast with potatoes sound? Sorry no crabs this time.

The rest of the pictures are on the gallery but beware - they are very graphic.

WILD AND WACKY WILD JERK

2008-03-05T15:32:00.005-05:00

It was another wild and wacky Wild Jerk at the Lyme Key Restaurant on February 29th. I swear that with all the things that happened to us...it must have been because of the Leap Year (Day). I must say that the support was really overwhelming and everyone was happy with the new Wild Jerk Salsa (both the spicy and the sweet)... well not everyone. One or two people who actually chew pepper told me that the Spicy Salsa was only mild. Now I know it was hot because I used it to cook come coconut curried shrimp for my lunch and I can tell you my ears were RINGING.

Anyway...next month I am going to make a special Wild Jerk LAVA Salsa in addition to the regular spicy salsa….we’ll see if it is hot enough then.

Now back to the coconut curried shrimp. Along came my regulars – Paulette, Edna and Paulette’s daughter Dana. So as usual I sat down to eat with them. I do not eat meat (hey I am NOT allergic to money – in case you are asking how come I sell Jerk Pork and don’t eat it), so I cooked some coconut curried shrimp for my lunch. There I was mopping up with the Cartwheel Fried dumpling when I noticed that my three guests were not paying any attention to their food but that all eyes were on me.

So I reminded Paulette and Dana that they cannot handle pepper. But their eyes looked so sad that I gave them each a shrimp, (my generosity knows no bounds). They SEEMED satisfied. Edna got the rest of the shrimp cause de Cartwheel “did full up mi belly” and before I knew what was happening .. Paulette pounced on Edna with her fork.

Edna screamed “mi glasses mi glasses” as Paulette speared a shrimp with her fork and as she tried to put her shrimp in her mouth. Dana used her fork to spear Edna’s shrimp from her fork…IT WAS CLASSIC….and I GOT PROOF.

Well a transformer blew up and for a moment it was Wild Jerk by candlelight. My thanks to Paulette et al who drove out to get candles for me … even if I had to pay them with pork. When they got back I was very busy and suddenly I was informed by Peter who later joined them that they are going to “block road” cause they not getting any justice and they made sure to spell it “JOSTIS” I asked why and that was then they reminded me that I had not paid them their “poke” yet. As you can see Red Stripe is still the favorite drink and the bottles come in handy during a power outage J

Well once again – it was over all too soon…we left by 10:00pm. But until next Wild Jerk look out for latest Wild Jerk stories.

THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF MY TIMBERLANDS

2008-03-05T15:02:00.003-05:00

What’s left of my Timberlands.

Well I have done it again… completely destroyed another pair of Timberlands. I was told that they were indestructible but J apparently not. This one actually did more work than the last but I guess I walked over one set of honeycomb rocks too many and walked through one swamp too many.

Notice the left foot all “strapped up” J Guess I will have to get another pair. But at J$9000 per pair I need more Wild Jerk sales. Hint Hint!

WILD JERK IS BACK

2008-02-28T16:52:00.002-05:00

Well Wild Jerkers!!

It's been too long.. But we're back.

On Feb 29th we will be at our usual Lyming locale - the LYME KEY RESTAURANT - 2a CHELSEA AVENUE. As usual we start serving at 1:00 pm and go on "till de poke done"

Come by, "tek a sat" and lyme with friends. Enjoy the pork and de drinks and the new Wild Jerk Salsa (Spicy or Hot).

The latest hunting news is that we caught this really LARGE boar which almost decimated the hunting dogs so everybody now licking wounds etc. But dem want vengeance. Now that I am up and about again - I will be going on more hikes. Can you believe that I have completely destroyed a pair of Timberlands?.

I will also be doing a special on the Dogs of Wild Jerk as well as the new pups - The 2009 hunting pack.

Looking forward to your company. - Till later then

The Last Wild Jerk

2007-11-30T11:13:00.000-05:00

Sadly we have not had any Wild Jerk events for October and November. Happily, we will have one for December 21,2007 at Lyme Key Restaurant (2a Chelsea Avenue, New Kingston)

Wild Jerk - September - The Review

Sorry it took so long to give you the report on the last Wild Jerk. Let's see - the Coconut Curried Crab was finished in under 1 1/2 hours. We are still debating whether or not to make it a staple on the Wild Jerk menu - but we don't want you to get tired of it. We actually sold off by 8:00 pm that night, and one family bought about 8 pounds of pork and all the remaining Cartwheel Fried Dumpling and for a change we were home before midnight.

The heavy rains and subsequent flooding of our routes to our hunting grounds did not make it possible to have the last two events, especially since we want to give you the genuine article.

Upcoming Wild Jerk
Well we look forward to seeing you at the next Wild Jerk. Be sure to let us know if you want to be added to our mailing list and be sure to tell your friends about it

Getting Intimate with Your Food

2007-09-17T13:14:00.000-04:00

What is more decadent that food that you can lick from your fingers? (Of course we are assuming that the usual hygienic requirements are in place). The sheer joy of breaking off a piece of dumpling, soaking it in some Coconut Curried Crab gravy, and then licking off the remainder from your fingers cannot be surpassed.

When you eat with your fingers, pretensions are stripped away, convention thrown out the door, the hair is let down (figuratively) and relaxation sets in. The intimacy of eating with one's fingers is automatically transmitted to others nearby, as the sheer pleasure derived is shared visibly with others.

Intimacy with your food especially among friends automatically increases the intimacy among each other. If you happen to be with that special someone, that intimacy can be transmitted to a whole different level.

In the long run - its just the relationship between you and your food, feeling closer to nature - probably just the way it was intended in the first place.

Wild Jerk in Superlatives

2007-09-01T19:33:00.000-04:00

Firstly let me apologise to our clientele for the late start on Friday, but if ever there was a Murphy’s Law day – August 31^st was it.

Well Wild Jerk was off and running with the Pork cooking on the grill and the Special Pot – Coconut Curried Crab – simmering in the pot. As I mentioned before in a previous blog – Neville’s Coconut Curried Crab is to die for – but I thought that was just me. The response was overwhelming and people who came for Pork took theirs home and ended up having crab.

As for the Cartwheel Fried Dumpling – words fail me. As promised here is a picture. People are still asking where we get this divine bread and refuse to believe that it is fried dumpling. One friend took hers home and called me in the morning to let me know that she was having it for breakfast and was very surprised to see that it was still soft and delicious. I noticed Neville slapping a piece of pork between two of them and having them for dinner.

Superlatives reigned! “What delicious pork” “Divine Crab” “De dumpling and de crab gravy mek fi one anodder” (For the non-Jamaicans – the dumpling and the crab sauce were perfectly suited). “The dumpling is like a roti with character” “The dumpling is like a cross between a perfect Johnny cake and roti”……. And so it went on.

One patron commented that she noticed that the crab meat was not bitter at all. In fact, when I asked her where she usually gets her crab and she told me she usually gets them in the “Riceland” which is usually the in-land crabs. Ours on the other hand – while not sea crab – lives near the sea and I guess that could account for the difference in the taste of the meat – because our crab meat is SWEET. So the perfect meal for the evening was Coconut Curried Crab, Cartwheel Fried Dumpling and an ice cold RED STRIPE BEER.

We have not quite decided what the special pot will be for September. However, Coconut Curried Crab MIGHT become a staple and for those of you who have experienced the previous Special Pots (Wild Pig stewed in Guinness, Honey Rum Roast Ribs, Corn Pork Soup and Coconut Curried Crab) – you know that it will be something mouth watering, unusual and delicious. Maybe – just maybe – my special Lobster grilled over sugar cane recipe. – We will see.

As we prepare for the next Wild Jerk on September 28^th at Lyme Key Restaurant, we will be making arrangements with Dine-in Jamaica for delivery service. Keep tuned to this blog or the www.dineinjamaica.blogspot.com for further information so that you don’t miss out on the next Wild Jerk just because you can’t make it to the venue.

For those of you who are interested in this as a business venture, this is a great sponsorship opportunity. Feel free to contact me at ginarey@gmail.com, or at (876)782-1866 / 859-8784

How to bathe with a gallon of water

2007-08-24T16:54:00.000-04:00

I am always asked whether or not we get to bathe in the woods. Hmmm - of course!. We always camp near a water hole - but if none is available - here is how to bathe with a gallon of water.

1. Use about three capfuls and dampen the rag (please don't carry a small towel).
2. Use another capful to dampen the soap.
3. Work the soap and rag into a lather.
4. Lather your body.
5. Forget about rinsing the rag now - that is a luxury for now.
6. Lift the bottle and GENTLY pour the water over your body. It helps if you have a cup handy because you can then ladle the water and direct it to specific parts of your body.
7. When you have finished - use the remaining water and rinse your rag. If none is left, throw the rag in plastic bag until you can get to the sea, river or nearest water hole.

HERE A SWAMP, THERE A SWAMP, EVERYWHERE A SWAMP

2007-08-15T19:35:00.000-04:00

In all my travels for Extreme Camp or Wild Jerk that trip has been relatively easy. Please note the use of the term “relatively”. We used to arrive at one point by boat and then hike about 7 miles (return trip) crossing mangroves etc. It was hard but eventually I got used to it. Well after yesterday, that has become a piece of cake. Rohan and Neville kept telling me that they did not think I could manage the walk as it was much farther. To me that was if the gauntlet had been thrown down, a challenge had been given and I insisted on coming along. Rohan reasoned that at least it should be an easier walk as there was less bending and squatting etc.

We started out from Hartlands, St Catherine at about 5:30 am on Tuesday. My friend Desi had dropped us off. Silly me, thinking I would be walking on dry land for the most part of the journey – Oh No!. The normally dry grassland was soaked and we began sloshing almost as soon as we hit the trail.

Then there was the river to cross at two points (nobody mentioned this in previous anecdotes). As simple as it looks – believe me that current is very strong.

Rohan had cut down a tree to make a bridge which he crossed but I was afraid of slipping so I decided to cross at the washed away foot log. Well Walkathon to the rescue.

When Rohan crossed to the other side he stretched for Walkathon and between the two of them I crossed safely.

The second point of crossing was not so bad – It was shallow enough but that was where my troubles started as sand and gritty stuff got into my shoes. We not even well on our way yet. It was also at that time that Rohan chose to remind me about a story he told me about a big crocodile that lived in that river. Well needless to say I was not too pleased but then again I realised that he would never put me in harm's way.

We left the river and started out on Far Walk - and believe me it is well named. I had many " Are we there yet moments" but I wisely kept them to myself. The terrain for the most part was pretty level but muddy and slippery in quite a few places. There was a beautiful swamp that I wanted to photograph but I did not want to slow us down as I already knew that just by being on the hike I would have slowed them down considerably. But I promise that I will get pictures another time as it was heavenly to see the mist rising from the water.

Eventually we turned off onto the trail leading to Sweat Batty Hill and as I said in the previous blog - I was not really impressed until I climbed it. The terrain however started to play havoc with the grit in my shoes and I actually felt the formation of the blisters on my feet. I was completely unprepared for the condition of the path as I had gotten used to the fact that on the other path we had pretty much removed all the obstacles that would cause us to have to bend and squat with load - so imagine how I felt when I realised that I would have to do the contortions again.

We caught 4 pigs in our traps. It was indeed not a bad haul for us. This has been one very bountiful hunting ground. I had the unique experience of seeing them "war" a hog. I have seen them subdue the smaller ones with relative ease but this one was huge and had big tusks that curled. Rohan made the strangest noises that sounded almost like a chant. I was not allowed nearby as I would have been in danger and I did promise when we started hiking together that I would obey them in the woods at all times. So unfortunately I did not get any pictures - even though I was REALLY TEMPTED to disobey.

I asked Rohan about the sounds he was making and he told me that it was just a chant that makes the hog focus on him. It was so primal - as if one could move the fabric of time and picture him with loin cloth and spear. Maybe one day I will get that picture.

We rested at Camp Rock for about one hour - of course dining on the usual fare of Boiled Dumplings and Saltfish cooked up in tomatoes. I had to wash out my pants because of all the grit but unfortunately I did not carry a change of clothes. One thing I have learned about camping is that improvising comes naturally after a while. So my Jacket to the rescue - I simply zippered it and wore it like a skirt, tying the sleeves around my waist for added security. On the way back we slaughtered two of the pigs and left the others tied for Rohan's and Neville's return the next day.

There were two moments when I really had to laugh out loud. When we caught the second boar, I turned around to see Neville lift up the scrotum of the boar and say " Ahh precious things" - I knew they were going to be seasoned and consigned to the fire soon.

The second time was after the meat was being dressed. Rohan was hot and stripped to his underwear to do the clean up work. Their tradition is to roast the liver and the scrotum and eat when they have finished killing (eeew) - Needless to say I caught of picture of his Calvin Klein's. Who says we don't have high fashion in the bush? Of course he has no idea that I took this picture because they thought I was fast asleep on the tree.

We walked about 28 miles that day. On our return we had to cross the river at night. Remembering the crocodiles, I was very apprehensive, but Rohan waded straight into the river and kept slapping the water with his cutlass. If I was a croc and heard that sound I wold have been frightened too. We crossed safely and happily we did not have to wait long for our drive.

The downside - was that my body went into shock due to a number of factors. I sweated until my sweat tasted fresh. So in addition to chaffing, blisters, tightness in my chest, I started to feel feverish because my clothes got soaked and dried on me many times. Silly me forgot to take rehydration salts. By the time I got home I had a raging fever, was trembling and actually passed out. I knew I was in danger when in addition to the muscle pain - my joints felt like they did not want to get left out and joined in the chorus. I was not amused.

I dosed up with two Panadol PM and went to sleep. The next morning the fever broke and I was feeling better and on the move again. The lesson I learned was that I must always be conscious of the fact that I will never move as fast as these guys as they are more used to this than I am, so I have to learn to pace myself better as I know that they will wait for me if I slow down too much. Rehydration salts, and asthma medicine are now in each of my backpacks so it does not matter which one I carry. The muscles are still sore but that is to be expected. They went the next day to collect the other two pigs.

Well because of work I won't be on any more hikes for the rest of the August. But as the anecdotes come I will provide them. There will be more blogs about this particular hike in the coming days. I will be using my Easy Shaper and some distance walking to keep myself fit until the next hike.

See more Wild Jerk and Extreme Camp pictures on Eyeful Studios.

Since writing this blog, I have been reliably informed that all the obstacles that used to cause us to bend and contort have been removed. Is anyone feeling up to the challenge of an Extreme Camp? If so, email me and we can set it up. Remember the next Wild Jerk is August 31, 2007 at Lyme Key Restaurant on Chelsea Avenue, New Kingston. I understand that "special pot" this month will be Neville's Coconut Curried Crab - which I can vouch for - cause I already tasted it. YUMMM

SWEAT BATTY HILL

2007-08-15T19:02:00.001-04:00

All part of yesterday’s adventure (See Here a Swamp, There a Swamp, Everywhere a Swamp) but this particular hill deserves its own blog. Sweat Batty Hill (for non – Jamaicans “batty” means bottom or ass) is an unimpressive looking hill that makes you scoff when you hear the name, until you realise that the moisture at the back of your pants is actually your ass sweating. When we arrived at this location coming through Far Walk I even told Neville that if this was Sweat Batty Hill – I was not impressed. He chose that time to inform me that most of the hill comes up on our return.

Well we started out from camp and after the first climb I was still unimpressed. Unbeknownst to me Sweat Batty Hill is a series of gradual inclines each becoming steeper and longer as you climb. Well I had to stop talking as I had to conserve on the air in my lungs and gently sip water with each climb. The final push however was the bummer (pun intended). Not only was it the longest climb but the steepest. Every muscle in my body screamed bloody murder and threatened to strike or come to a full stop. Luckily for me Rohan and Neville were kind enough to stop at various intervals as I had to be making use of the Ventolin a lot. However- I persevered and made it out. For more of the adventures read “Here a Swamp…”

THE WOOD SLAVE

2007-08-15T18:27:00.000-04:00

There is a phenomenon in the woods called the Wood Slave. Supposedly these are spirits of old slaves that are said to haunt the woods. The Wood Slave gets blamed for everything that goes wrong, as it is believed that they will get up to mischief if you don’t treat them kindly.

You might ask how can you treat a Wood Slave kindly? Well I have been told, carry and ALWAYS SHARE the white rum, keep a fire lit and leave a piece of food.

So if a piece of wood misses your eye when it could have poked it out, make sure to say thanks.

In my case, the Wood Slave has “borrowed” quite a few of my things. I say borrowed because I always get them back. My skirt and towel fell out of my bag while crossing the mangrove. I came back and found them weeks after. My flashlight fell out of my pocket yesterday – We found it five hours later but turned on – so it was of absolutely no use to us coming out of the woods in the dark. Well it would seem that they are quite fascinated with my tripod because they have borrowed that too. But I am sure they will return it.

Often I am asked if I am not afraid. Well even if these things exist – my spirit is strong in God so I really have no fear at all – although I must confess that there are some sounds that you hear in the bush in the dead of night that make you wonder if these things are really real.

Well that’s it for the Wood Slave. I will try to gather some stories from older woodsmen and from Rohan (who has been walking these woods on his own since he was five years old and share them with you.

More anon.

Rohan's Cartwheel Fried Dumpling

2007-08-12T17:40:00.000-04:00

In Jamaica, there is a phenomenon called the Cartwheel Dumpling. For those of you not in the know - a dumpling is a mixture of flour (cornmeal) and water (sometimes salt) which is then boiled. Usually baking powder is added if it is to be fried. But the Cartwheel Dumpling is in a realm all by itself. This is usually kneaded until the dough can only be described as tight. The usual requirement apart from the ingredients are strong upper body muscles to knead this thing to its right consistency. It is usually boiled and woe betide the person who is trying to eat this and has dentures. If properly made, when it is bitten there is a little squeaking noise (say "Felix" in a high pitch tone) as you rally jaw muscles to the task of tearing this particular piece of food.

At Wild Jerk we usually serve roasted breadfruit and / or festival ( another Jamaican favorite). However once we were introduced to the Cartwheel Fried Dumpling there was no turning back. Approximately 4 - 6 inches in diameter (depending on how generous Rohan is feeling) this new version of the original dumpling simply melts in your mouth.

At the last Wild Jerk event we were asked on several occasions what kind of bread it was, if it was roti, or just plain - what the hell is this heavenly piece of food? (An oxymoron I know). We had some left over and had it for breakfast at camp. Still melted in our mouths. If you want to see the size of the boiled ones - refer to "Cold Ground was my bed" - an earlier blog.

I will attempt to get a picture of the Fried ones - but they move so fast that it is almost impossible.

Till later..

Our Favorite Camping Stuff

2007-08-10T16:01:00.000-04:00

Well I have been asked the question - what are my favorite camping items.

New Favorite - My Queen Size Air Bed with really portable pump (uses 4 D size batteries). I will look for the brand name and let you know in a later post. It heavy though.

Ziploc XXL Bags - to carry my air bed in as well as my clothes which I then stuff in my backpack.

Ziploc Plates with covers - As you can see I am a Ziploc Fan

Ziploc 2 quart Freezer Bags - I carry my cameras in it. Well I do travel by boat a lot and not to mention that we are crossing mangroves and the possibility of rain. Gotta protect the stuff.

Grace Instant Oats Porridge . The verdict on a vote of 2 to one is that the Oats and Banana flavor is too sweet and has too much of everything. But like I said, one of those and you can walk for miles.

More to come

The Hunt - such as it was

2007-08-08T13:36:00.001-04:00

Well we tried. On Sunday morning we set out from Old Harbour Bay with Larry our boatman and one very doubtful boat engine on our way to one of our hunting grounds. As we limped along I was filled with a sense of foreboding. Our plan was to go to our first hunting ground near Camp Rock (Refer to "Cold Ground") spend the night and then spend the next two days at our second hunting ground which was around the point. Larry was to pick us up at 10am the next morning.

My sense of foreboding was confirmed when at 10am - no sign of Larry. We were not too worried because he is either too early or late. As the afternoon passed on we began to believe that he was not going to come - or if he did - we were going to hear some excuse why we were not going to make it to our next hunting ground.

Sure enough - some five and a half hours later - here comes Larry, looking grim, announcing to us that he cannot take us to our next point because the boat engine was not good. Ah well - sixth sense.

Happily we did not leave empty handed as we caught two pigs in our traps. Often I am asked if we hunt with guns. The answer is no. We are proud of the fact that hunt in the old fashioned way - with rope traps and dogs and matching our wits against the wild animals.

Well the last time Rohan packed forks but no other utensils so this time I did the packing. We had all the utensils at our disposal but no soap (blush). We discovered that toothpaste makes for quite a cooling soap especially after such a hot and dirty day.

Lest I forget - while we slept almost next to the swamp - we heard other wild hogs come close to camp chomping on crabs. They did not even try to free their friends. O well just goes to show - if you have a "wild hog" friend - a nuh good smaddy. (for non Jamaicans - that means not a good person)

Well Wild Jerk is on again for August 31st at Lyme Key Restaurant - so stay tuned. In the meantime - though I promised lots of pictures - I confess I only got a few. Follow the link to the gallery and feel free to comment.

WALKATHON

2007-08-08T13:23:00.000-04:00

Meet Walkathon. A sturdy five foot piece of brassa wood (I will have to make sure of that) Walkathon is my constant companion on any hike or Extreme Camp or Wild Jerk hunt. He tests any ground that I have walk on. He has tested the depths of the mangroves that I have to cross. He makes sure that I have a sturdy footing at all times.

He keeps leaves and branches from my face as I am crossing rough terrain and protects my knees when I have to climb down steep hills. He sleeps beside me for my protection.

I once left him on a track in Mount Airy and when I realised I walked back about a quarter mile to retrieve him. Another time he was left in a boat. When I asked Larry - the boatman - to retrieve him and he told me that he had lost it - well then - I lost it. I explained to Larry in the most colorful language that I could muster how much Walkathon meant to me and that I was on my way for him and he had BETTER be found.

Well he has since been retrieved and never leaves my side. More adventures of Walkathon to come.

Off on a new hunt

2007-08-04T13:38:00.000-04:00

Well tomorrow we are off again. This time we will be on a three day expedition which will include picture taking for my upcoming book "Bushman Trails - A Walk Into History" as well as hunting wild pigs for the next Wild Jerk which will be held at Lyme Key Restaurant, 2a Chelsea Avenue, New Kingston on August 31.

The guys promise me a loooong walk which will be sure to eliminate a few extra pounds that I have accumulated. I promise picture, pictures and more pictures. As a matter of fact I think I will set up a gallery on my smugmug site.

More anon.

COLD GROUND WAS MY BED

2007-07-25T14:46:00.001-04:00

When we hear the words of the late Bob Marley's song which says "cold ground was my bed last night" we think - "bwoy that's rough" until you experience it. Granted - it was a willing experience but I could not help the fact that the song came to mind immediately as we surveyed our campsite.

There was hardly a space for lying down in comfort. What you are seeing here is my bed made under a rock ledge. I had to fit my body in a little nook and keep completely still. In addition I had to "cotch" my foot on a stone to keep from sliding off the rock. While Rohan complained all night about sand flies and mosquitoes, I really had no such problem. I don't know what it is about him but he seems to attract every pest within miles to him and they do torment him.

I had to walk behind him while he was carrying a pig (see pic below) that was caught in our traps and I was quite amused to see that even with the weight - he stopped to pick a piece of brush to fan himself with as he moved through the forest. I tried to get a picture but he was moving too fast and I had to keep up. We caught two pigs that day.

Meanwhile back at camp - dinner was boiled dumplings and saltfish. The pictures you see of Rohan and Neville eating from a recycled spring water bottle were because Rohan had the insight to pack 25 plastic forks and no plates, spoons, or cups. Luckily for them I had carried my travel mug with tea so we had something to drink from.

Without a doubt our favorite portable camp food is Grace Instant Porridge (Oats & Banana). We always make sure to carry ample supplies. As a matter of fact we have discovered that we can walk for miles at a time before feeling hungry again after eating one of these. Once we stop walking though - "belly start to send email to brain". The next picture will show you the size of the dumplings that these guys make. You can walk for miles on one of these dumplings. I usually can manage about one and half. Rohan on the other hand will eat four and Neville maybe three.

As usual the Fire Man - Neville and I always make sure that the campfires are kept up throughout the night.

THE CHRONICLES BEGIN

2007-07-23T14:19:00.000-04:00

Since March of this year I have been privileged to participate in what is becoming a dying tradition, that of hunting wild pigs. I came to understand that this delicacy is in great demand.

Let me regress a little to what actually sparked the Wild Jerk and Extreme Camp ideas. I met these hunters when I expressed a desire to explore the interior of the island to find ancestral sites. I have no idea where this desire sprang from – but once it took hold in my mind, I could not let go of the idea. I guess a part of my concern was that our history seemed to be vanishing in front of my eyes with the advent of new highways and new communities, it seemed that (in my opinion at least) our wetlands and archaeological sites were not being preserved.

It would appear that having explored the wild forests of the island these hunters (Rohan and Neville) had the same concerns. So we were introduced and discovered that we had a common goal – that of recording pieces of our history – and researching and preserving that information for our youth.

One day, Rohan and Neville approached me and asked me to help them locate a venue to sell jerked Wild Pig and my response – being the outside the box thinker told them that I thought having jerked wild pig every day would spoil the whole adventure of this delicacy – so why not have it once per month and take it to different venues. This would ensure that the population of wild pigs would remain in sufficient numbers and would preserve the whole experience as something to look forward to each month. The idea was welcomed and so Wild Jerk was born.

It was while hiking and camping with them and experiencing the great outdoors, enjoying the wild part of this country, being fascinated with the fact that with all my explorations, I still have not left St Catherine yet, that I had a light bulb moment.

Maybe there are other adventurous spirits like myself who will be willing to give up their creature comforts to experience the real meaning of silence. When it is so quiet that you can hear the scraping of the shell of a little soldier crab crawling up a rock face. When the only music you hear is the trilling of songbirds that comes with twilight and with the dawn. Even the misery of sand flies and mosquitoes has its own attraction. Finding that little nook in the rock that will make you feel comfortable if you can just keep still enough to make it work. Well my friends have warned me that they will live vicariously through me.

Of course let us not forget the fire man himself (Neville) whose first order of business is always to find every piece of dry wood that exists within a quarter mile of the camp. This man can create a blaze that is guaranteed to last all night and well into the morning. Mosquitoes and sand flies – watch out.

Every time that we go on a camp we cannot help but marvel at the beauty of this blessed rock, and we are filled with wonder. Each time we ask ourselves what money could pay for this pleasure that we experience each time. We are happy to share this experience and so The Chronicles of Wild Jerk and Extreme Camp begins