Campfires and stuff

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LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#68710 26-Sep-2010 22:06

Today is my 60th Birthday.

[Go on - tell me I type like a much younger man.]

One present is a Ray Mears axe - for cutting wood for fires, and generally pretending I am still a Boy Scout.

In the UK and Europe you can (in certain areas) still cut wood and have open fires.
We have a nice firepit which is a drum on three legs which allows you to burn wood off the ground without damaging the undergrowth - we can have a fire on our lawn without damaging the grass.

The more traditional method is to dig a pit and line it with stones - again the fire is kept under control and doesn't damage things around it.

The axe was a very pleasant surprise, and now I am wondering if I could take it with me to NZ (obviously not in my hand luggage) for use during our four month tour of NZ.
I'm pretty sure it would come in useful for our seven week RV trip in the US.

On the other hand I know that NZ is very environmentally concious.

So are you allowed carefully managed open fires in camping areas (or perhaps on the beach) and are there areas of public land where you can cut firewood?

Or is this regarded as dangerous vandalism?

Cheers

LGC

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#384701 26-Sep-2010 23:15

Happy birthday!

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#384712 27-Sep-2010 01:35

Most beaches I work at there is a fire ban. However on the flip side of this, most beaches are rather secluded and I doubt anyone would find out if you kept it small & under control. A lot of council camping spots operate on a permit basis for fires, especially if it is in native bush areas. There will have signs telling you what the story regarding fires when you arrive at your camp spot though.

If bringing your axe murderer props with you to NZ, the main concerns would be:
a) Does it contain any plant matter (I would check up on this, especially if it has a wooden handle) and
b) Does it fall under the weapons rule.

If b is true, you need the ok from the police to bring it in when you arrive at the airport, see here.

LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#384716 27-Sep-2010 03:29

Thanks to all - I have now been given a Grohmann #1 Canadian hunting knife as well so I can cut up neatly all the results of my axe murdering mayhem.

I mean as they are new and clean they should pass biosecurity O.K.

We will be bringing walking boots and poles so everything will be packed at the top of our luggage and carefully cleaned and disinfected.

The weapons thing is interesting - I have a Swiss Army Knife which I used as a Geek Tool for fettling computers and I always used to carry it in a pouch on my belt.
I checked it through airport security loads of times when I travelled to and from the US in the '80s and '90s.

Now in the UK I can't even carry it in my car or backpack without being regarded as a potentially dangerous criminal.

Mind you I has to laugh when we were stopped for a random check at customs in Dover on our way to Calais in our motor home.
"Do you have any knives with you?" the lady read from the list.
"Yeah, loads and loads - a drawer full." we replied.
"Oh - but you won't be using them for anything illegal will you." she responded.
"Of course not." we smiled.

So hopefully we can bring clean camping items with us without problems although we won't be bringing our six person tent because it is heavy and very grubby.
We intend to buy most things when we arrive.

Not long to go now - getting all excited!

Cheers

LGC

Ragnor

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#385006 27-Sep-2010 16:12

LittleGreyCat:

The weapons thing is interesting - I have a Swiss Army Knife which I used as a Geek Tool for fettling computers and I always used to carry it in a pouch on my belt.
I checked it through airport security loads of times when I travelled to and from the US in the '80s and '90s.

They are very strict on this now worldwide, especially in the US.

You will definitely not be able to take swiss army knife onto the plane on your person or in your carry on. It would have to be in your checked in luggage/suitcase etc.

If you are boarding a plane in the US or transiting through you have to take your shoes and belt off to go through x-ray to even!

LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#385243 27-Sep-2010 23:39

Yeah, I know.

Just commenting on how much things have changed in the last 10-15 years.

nickd

447 posts

Ultimate Geek

#386527 30-Sep-2010 23:04

LittleGreyCat:
Now in the UK I can't even carry it in my car or backpack without being regarded as a potentially dangerous criminal.

It's the same here, except there is a clause in the law which states something about if it is for work etc then you are allowed to carry it.

So hopefully we can bring clean camping items with us without problems although we won't be bringing our six person tent because it is heavy and very grubby.
We intend to buy most things when we arrive.

I doubt it will be any issue. The airport guys are really helpful & just scrub anything down that is of concern.

When do you arrive?

LittleGreyCat

153 posts

Master Geek

#386999 2-Oct-2010 01:55

Flying into Christchurch on 31st October from Sydney.
We are having 8 days in Port Douglas and 8 days in Sydney before we fly to NZ.

It is getting very close now :-)