Spike Milligan wrote a poem about fear, "when things go bump in the night, should not give one a fright, it's the hole in each ear that lets in the fear, that and the absents of light". Don't let fear get in the way, just be cautious. I do night tramps (hikes), but here in NZ we don't have the population that you have, and it is safe to do so. Tramping, (as we call hiking here) here is one of the safest things to do without the fear of being mugged. One can go for weeks on end without seeing a soul. The more solos that you do the more confident you will become. Keep it up. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ ☺☺
They were new to the area, went for a walk, got cut off by the tide. Once they’d seen you they thought it better to introduce themselves rather than remain as a group of strangers lurking nearby in the dark! Nothing sinister. They were probably same as you, unsure if they were allowed to be there, and thinking they might get challenged and told to leave, so their odd vague questions were just to see if overnight stays are accepted.
@@nihlifyMate, people in the bush are a different breed. There are people who just live out there and have all sorts of issues. They'll get very confrontational and territorial and they'll try to scare you off from "their" spot and they can even get violent about it. The absolute worst creature you can run into on a primitive camping trip is another human.
@@nihlify So, knowing that's the case, if you run into anyone, you need to be very careful. They were probably just making sure he wasn't a psycho that was gonna chase them off with a hatchet or something.
@@JulianJLWnot necessarily, if the dog was barking of even bristled i may work, as long as you stop them from actually petting the dog. One time my dog scared of two kids, my dog isn't aggressive, but she is part border collie and if you run she with play nip your arms, but those kids didn't know that lol
I agree your dog didn’t like them at all which is a significant warning. I did 30 years in the police and have to assess risk many times. I am a great believer in trusting what your gut tells you. I probably would have moved location to increase my chance of a good nights sleep. You were outnumbered and I suspect balancing what your viewers would think and the risk from the lads. I am not criticising your decision, just sharing my thoughts as you asked. 👍
This is really interesting, thanks for the info. Tbh I didn't feel under threat, but it did feel a bit off. Was all okay in the end so meh, but I think if I had a smaller tent I would've just moved it.
I don't camp in general but I also don't camp outside of established camping sites the few times I've done it in my life. The adventure of wild camping or just being out SOMEWHERE is exciting but I absolutely understand the fear and nerves that go with it because all that's protecting you is a thin tent wall. If you're on your own it's harder to relax and put your guard down.
Absolutely! And they always start by pretending to be interested in you but end up just waffling pish about themselves for about half an hour! Met many of those types.
I'm glad you didn't go home. That was a nice camp. I think those men were just out for an evening walk. Perhaps they didn't want to bother you and Archie so that's why they turned round and went back?
Stay safe, especially the way this country is turning out. To be honest, I would have been out of there in a flash. I too am an over thinker and it rules my life. Good job Archie.
Wonderful night out! That kind of situation is why I have never solo wild camped. I wouldn't have slept a wink and would have been so creeped out. Thank heavens Archie was around, I bet that helped. He is quite a character. lol Great on you for doing it, next time will be easier and looking forward to your next solo trip. :) :)
@@thomaslock97 In the middle of nowhere , one of this group decides to be polite and go and say hello ( that's what normal people do ) .................. then your brain starts racing 😰like they are up to no good. ? be better if you stay home !
Haha you clearly don’t live in a deprived area mate! Yeah, in a place like Walton if someone approaches you at night with no prompting and 2 fellas flanking it’s a perfectly reasonable assumption that they might be up to no good.
Maybe I'm just anti-social, but I would have just said hi and kept walking if I was them. It does seem possible they were seeing if he had anything they wanted.
If I was camping alone I would definitely let someone know to come to the location if I hadn't reached out by the next day or whenever you are supposed to leave...I think it's important male or especially female as they are more vulnerable
@@johnnykeane9633yes I do this when I solo camp! I’ve a collie with me all the time and she will protect me! lol I carry pepper spray and have a stick but I also do what you suggested with letting my family know my camp is and if they don’t hear back from me before midday the following they call the police! Great advise 👌🏻
Hi Thomas, I would say, that you never never know what‘s in somebodies mind?! maybe they saw you when they were on their boat and decided to go for a „walk“ for checking out .....; maybe not...; however ... your dog saved you from a second visit, I think?! I would recommend to be not tooooo friendly and never excuse the barking of your dog. let him bark and protect you while you try to check out the person. don‘t make you „smaller“ than you are! thank you for the wonderful video! greetings from Austria
I've wild camped and bivvied in the dunes in Northumberland and Norfolk. The important thing is to choose as remote as place as possible and pitch your tent away from the path in the dunes, and stay hidden. There are very few good wild camping places in the south-east of England. Dartmoor is great but even there you will meet people camping by the tors. Scotland is your best bet - very few people and it's perfectly legal to wild camp.
Well done for sticking it out. I prefer the woods, I started when I was 9yrs old I just used to take a tarp, roll mat, sleeping bag and some pot noodles plus water a fire steal and para cord. I remember my first time I didn’t get much sleep because every sound I thought was someone out there. By the time I was 10/11yrs I had got used to it and went out as much as I could taught myself how to use snares and catch my own food. 🤣😂🤣😂 I’m now 55 and still going out in the woods as much as I can it’s the best thing for mental health being at one with nature is the best. Keep going and good luck.
Yeah, I think you might’ve been a bit paranoid on this occasion, which is understandable given the times we live in and your dog likely sensed your discomfort, so reacted to it. I enjoyed your vid, thanks for sharing.
Dogs are the best❤! They can tell in an instant. I have a large mastiff myself, she's very protective. From your dogs' reaction they appeared weird. Good job🙏
Well I have just stumbled across your channel. I am pleased you stayed. It's one of those things that seems to get easier the more you do it. I am a 63 year old Aussie woman who has been camping all my life. Sometimes it's still a little daunting when I stop somewhere but for the most part I end up feeling good after I stick it out. As for those guys I honestly believe if they were going to cause harm they would have done it then and there as they were far enough away from others I think it was far too far for them to be bothered to come back later. So I would have stayed. Keep doing what you need to do for yourself. I enjoyed the video and will catch up on the others. 😊
Loves your camping videos. your dog must be so happy being able to go camping with you. Its to bad we cant do anything without having to look over our shoulders and worry someone might hurts us but that is our reality now days and its better to be safe then sorry. Praying for your safety🙏
First of all...great video, really enjoyed it! 😊 Secondly, I'm so torn by that situation as I always say to trust your instincts, but I'm also an overthinker and jump to the worst case scenario so I know how easy it can be to talk yourself out of things. They may have been perfectly fine, but something about that situation just felt off to me. Yeah, usually people won't walk for miles to attack someone but some people are also opportunists so you can never be too careful. The way they approached just felt odd to me, as did the way they just turned back after speaking with you and Archie REALLY didn't seem to like them. He was growling! I kinda feel like Archie saved you on this one, maybe they were thinking of doing something but Archie was so protective they decided to leave it? Or it could have been totally innocent...but before you even said anything I got dodgy vibes. 😊
Cheers! Yeah, it’s a tough one. Ruin my trip for what were probably just fellas out on a walk… or risk something bad happening? Glad I stuck it out, also glad I had Archie with me.
Right just me Alan, again order a tent called a Kampa 3 man tent because I'm going to get my miss to go. Anyway you are a very much a over thinker. Not everyone is a monster. And you got your fella with you, great show again, please take care and see you soon Alan 💯👍
My motto is, you don't have to articulate to anyone why something feels wrong, or not quite right. You just do have to do what feels right to you in that moment. Also, everyone has limitations and it's good to know and accept our own. There really is no way of knowing the outcome of things and honing intuition takes time. You call it confidence, or maybe your mistaking it for confidence. But really, it's intuition, I believe. And although pushing our limits is good for growth, there are times when it's just not necessary. I'm happy you were okay. Personally, I would have likely left and in the morning, I would have been okay with it.
Hi Thomas I was with you on the weird wood even though it was very small. But these guys were not interested in you and you have nothing worth stealing. 😂
I caught your two scary woods videos first, but this was my favourite... Totally agree with your "life lessons" at the end about just doing it. Something I'm really trying to do myself these days. Keep up with the good work dude.
what a great vid mate. you and archie are a brill team. love you openness and honesty. as someone who suffers from severe anxiety myself i completely understand your concerns and the way your mind works. its so important to challenge yourself by facing your fears but as always this can be done in a measures way with some basic risk assessments. i would highly recommend getting yourself a stout walking stick or staff with a sharp point at the end for personal safety. Stay safe and very best wishes my friend. Des
Another great video. There is such a great atmosphere which I never grow tired of watching. I don’t know if you know but the roll mat bag doubles in size to make inflating it easier. You just have to pull the fabric out from the inside. Once again keep up the great videos!
Hi, I’m new to your channel I just thought I’d give you some ideas when camping alone with archi! Get yourself some pepper spray just in case. I camp alone with my collie and carrying it has made me feel a lot more safe! We’re not used to noises of nature if we live amongst tons of people! lol Looking forward to more videos! 😁
Great video pal. I just came back yesterday from my first solo wild camp. I loved it and can’t wait to do it again. I was up in the Yorkshire dales surrounded by cattle and sheep so couldn’t take my 2 crazy cocker spaniels. The approach from those guys was wierd. If that had happened to me when I was out without my dogs I dare say I’d have packed up and moved at least to another spot so well done for staying. I’ve always said my dogs are good judge of characters and they know if I feel uneasy they automatically want to protect me. That said, even with my dogs there I might have bottled it and moved on or gone home so well done you. Enjoyed the video so I’ve subscribed too, keep the content coming.
I've only done one wild camp, it was with permission next to a river on farm land, it went fine, but realised I preferred small basic camp sites to wild camping, I just didn't enjoy walking miles with a rucksack just for one night, so respect to you mate, it's one under the belt for you, great video too. 👍
My problem with campsites is that they're stuffed with people blasting music from bluetooth speakers. Literally every single one I seem to go to!!! So frustrating, totally ruins the atmosphere. I'd rather hike out and mitigate that risk. That's just me though :D
@@thomaslock97 that's why I review sites first, always under 20 pitches, that state no groups and no loud music etc, and always close to a mere or the sea, got to have that chill time.
Hello, stumbled upon your profile when you did the tent review as it is the one I am going to get. Since then been loving the uploads and the content, keep it coming and thank you :)
Hey Jack! Cheers for the comment. I use a DJI Action 4 plus the mini extension rod. Can’t recommend it enough. For these videos I typically record 2-3hr footage that I then cut down to sub 1hr and I usually only need to charge the camera once.
I like to do a bit of solo hiking/camping, remember when I did my first solo camping and having in the back of my mind: what if something happens to me, the more I did it solo the more comfortable it gets, keep doing what you do and enjoy it 👍
I would recommend getting a small drone for filming nice views like it’s normally used for but also in case of situations like that you can send it up and see if they are going in the direction they presented and just for scouting the area quickly in case you hear noises.👍
I think an axe is the single most important item on any outdoor trip. I don’t mean for attacking strangers! But you can wear it visibly on your belt in a situation like this. It will confer a sense of easy confidence upon you. I actually don’t think these guys had any bad intention, but if they did, a visible bushcraft axe on your hip would have made them reconsider. Unless they were armed with machine guns.
Well done Tom conquering your first Solo wild camp , don't doubt your own abilities, and have faith was a great video. If you feel like bailing just bail so what? See you in the next one, Ps interested in how you plan for Archie like food, snacks, ticks his sleep system ? Could he carry his own snacks ? Additional weight of everything for the pup.
Appreciate it! Tbh it’s a tough one with Archie - if I put a sleep system down for him he’ll ignore it. He’d much rather just be on the tent floor. I gave up on it a while back. As it gets colder I’ll have to give it another try but for now he’s happy as-is. As for food and snacks that’s all fairly lightweight in my bag and he loathes having anything strapped to him… but might be worth it for the bigger trips I’ve got planned. I’ll need to look into it more.
Glad you stayed my guy! Them people were sketched, coming from America, I'd have a 9 or Smith on me fasho. But this is the UK, so having a knife on you was the right move fasho!
It is a good idea to always carry a very powerful torch or lamp with you when on these overnights. It is never a bad idea to blind approaching strangers with something bright enough to see clean along that beach. And yes, it is hard when the head starts playing tricks to remain focused and for people also to know that at times our furry pals could be acting up down to the owners own body talk. And i am not pointing fingers.
Well I grabbed a DJI Action 4 which all my videos are shot on and it’s been great so far! Can handle 2~ hours recording 4k25fps without overheating plus the DJI Mic 2 is great. Really depends on your needs though!!
I thought you were brave to stay. The three mens' awkwardness was just because they were a different nationality, I think. We all behave in different ways. As a woman, I'd have been terrified! Even out walking these days, it feels commonplace now to feel unsafe. How sad is that? I'm loving your channel. Well done.
Ha ha, well done Tom, it's a remote coastline in places, looked a great spot & glad U didn't wake up in water...!👍 The Hyena is a great tent, I've got it, but still tend to use my original Eurohike BP2, plus a selection of other tents..!😄 I was loving the sunset, just before U mentioned it, oh & those plastic screw type pegs with the T-top are supposed to be good for sand, but if it's too dry/loose, I always take some food bags to fill with sand or pebbles...👍 I found i need 3-4ltrs of water for me & my dog for a night out, to cook, drink & clean... Pour water into mug, then into stove pot, so haven't gotta guess amount needed or waste any then...✔️ I wouldn't have worried about those blokes, they probably thought U were MI5 & they were just looking for their mates in the boats...!!!🤣👊💯
Hello new sub here, firstly I just want to say , well done for staying on the beach, also you might be a young man , but being only 26 doesn't diminish your well earned wisdom and that little Archie , wow what a cutie , such a smashing little dog , keep it up , your doing great
Great video Tom, enjoyed it, if you don't mind can I ask where you got those pegs from as I'm in desperate need of some longer pegs for beach camping, also subbed. Atb Mick 👍
Hey Mick! Cheers for the comment. I just grabbed them from Amazon, it was £15 for 6. Worth noting that the one holding the porch did bend as soon as I stepped it down but if you use a mallet or something I’m sure it wouldn’t have bent. It still works too. TRIWONDER Tent Pegs Metal Heavy... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FKQ9LSL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share (I really ought to set up an affiliate link 😆)
@@thomaslock97 cheers Tom appreciate that, yeh I'm the same with setting up affiliate links, I'd have made a small fortune off amazon and temu by now 😂😂 thanks again 👍
Between my concealed and my 110 lbs. Belgian Malinois, I feel very safe here in the states. My wife doesn't carry but the Belgian keeps her safe when I'm away. The second amendment, scouts, and a few other things have taught me all I need to feel as close to safe as possible in the states.
Always listen to your intuition. I personally would have moved somewhere else because they obviously come to check you out. Maybe as they left, one of them said let's go back in the middle of the night and scare him? 😮
People will like this content more than your old stuff because they are connecting with you as a person and your personality the content is secondary. I don’t think your super edited videos were a waste because they lead you to this in a way. I also don’t think you were overthinking with them 3 guys they did seem a bit dodgy. Stick at it mate
Go for a proper wild camp, lad! On my last bikepacking trip in Wales, I never saw anybody for 2 days. When I did eventually meet people, they were backpackers and a group of cyclists! Those blokes looked shifty to me, and your dog knew it, and looked after you! Glad you were ok, though! Safe camping! ✌️
In those circumstances I’d leave my tent up but hide on the side and see if they return I do the same if I think I’m being followed, I go around a corner and hide somewhere on the side an watch them pass
I have a 100-pound dog I take camping. A person would be a fool to set foot near her teeth. But even with her by my side, I feel I would have left. You just don't know. Rather be safe than sorry.
Dogs will let you know before you someone is lurking about. I’m out all the time with my dog and I’m not one bit scared. And she is a trained guard dog and I’m her commander 😊 one cannot be too careful these days.
Omg! I’d be so frozen! If it reaches 60 degrees here I am cold! Lol. But in south Texas we are use to over 100 degree temps with 100 degree humidity. So, I probably wouldn’t have lasted especially with strange people wandering around.
Small world seeing that Uni of Lincoln hoody - colour suggests you started same year as me Sept 2016? I think you might have benefitted from the theory that a lone man in the wild is scarier than 3 men in the wild
I would have stayed, but I also always set up cameras to cover all angles of the area, which set off an alarm on my mobile when someone come near the tent. I also sleep with an axe and a couple of knives, so I'm not afraid. In the future, I'll also get a dog from a shelter; so I can have a companion, and as you say, dogs will go off barking when someone is outside.
You got it right dude: just keep it as a vlog-journal. Don’t chase the ‘content’ I’ve recently unsubbed from a couple big names because you can tell the’re trying to constantly change, evolve, settle on what keeps the views high and the ‘content’ slowly degrades (my opinion - really it just changes from what I subscribed to) as they try stay ahead of the algorithm. I’ve spent quite a bit of my working life in the dark hours dealing with public. I didn’t actually get much a bad vibe from those guys. Maybe opportunists, maybe not. I think they were just expecting to do a circular walk and get back before true night fall. I’d go to say they were probably more worried of you. What we do: solo camping, is weird, and requires a certain amount of bravery and is usually a certain kind of person Nice polite, well spoken guy, solo camping out there. Smacks of ex-military (even of you’re not). Archie helped too for sure. Especially as you got up and walked towards them too. Good body language. Solo camping is a mindset and it requires constant practice. New sub from me! Cheers.
Cheers for the sub! Not ex-military haha (I’m a programmer by trade lol) but figured I ought to be as assertive as possible and I guess it paid off. Didn’t even think of how they might’ve perceived me lol.
Well done for staying mate. I’m a guy, relatively for enough to take care of myself in those situations but I would of gone 😂 obviously your gut was right as you were fine but that was really weird how they approached you. Good thing you had the dog and it’s a good thing he barked at them. They of course could of been totally innocent and just having a walk about but you never know these days. If you ever go anywhere on your own again, take the dog with you. Awesome video btw 😊
You might wanna check out Levington, just off the Marina is a footpath to Trimley marshes and there's some quiet spots round there, could be good for a stealth camp.
English Springer :) Pedigree but the person we bought him from "lost the certificate" so likely he's got a bit of something else in him. Apparently he's a 'show dog' not a gun dog because he's significantly taller than other springers.
I would have stayed. There were 3 of them, if they were going to do something they would have already done it. Plus as you said, they obviously wern't out looking for trouble in the middle of nowhere.
I'm guessing as you walked from Walton on the Naze towards Harwich, the bench got burnt by the Dover Court Massive! I'm over the water in Felixstowe and have walked where you camped, but never thought about overnighting.
Haha, that’ll be it!! Should’ve sent some Morse code flashes over to Felixstowe with my channel URL just in case 😆 Cheers for watching and the comment!
Imagine if you had a small, extremely portable, ergonimic, tool that could nearly absolutely ensure your safety against multiple potential attackers. Even dangerous wildlife.
Hi mate i go solo camping all time i was same as you bit nervous scared etc at my first solo ..... In time u get used too it mate u be fine ok trust me
Love how Archie starts watching your back as you begin making breakfast. Scoping everything out and just being a great dog!
Spike Milligan wrote a poem about fear, "when things go bump in the night, should not give one a fright, it's the hole in each ear that lets in the fear, that and the absents of light". Don't let fear get in the way, just be cautious. I do night tramps (hikes), but here in NZ we don't have the population that you have, and it is safe to do so. Tramping, (as we call hiking here) here is one of the safest things to do without the fear of being mugged. One can go for weeks on end without seeing a soul. The more solos that you do the more confident you will become. Keep it up. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ ☺☺
That’s great, cheers for sharing. NZ looks like it’d be on a whole other level to the UK haha!! Beautiful though. Definitely on my bucket list.
I love spike milligans poems,used to have a book of them when I was a kid
Spike probably wrote 'absence', though.
@@Vinterbukser Well spotted, you have passed the test. You may now walk among the gifted, Titans of men. 😊😊
Do you tramp in the Tararua ranges? Just saw tararua in your username, I tramp there sometimes
They were new to the area, went for a walk, got cut off by the tide. Once they’d seen you they thought it better to introduce themselves rather than remain as a group of strangers lurking nearby in the dark! Nothing sinister. They were probably same as you, unsure if they were allowed to be there, and thinking they might get challenged and told to leave, so their odd vague questions were just to see if overnight stays are accepted.
So they assume a guy with a tent would tell them to leave? Make zero sense
@@nihlifyno, they assume the guy in the tent is in the same position as themselves!
@@nihlifyMate, people in the bush are a different breed. There are people who just live out there and have all sorts of issues. They'll get very confrontational and territorial and they'll try to scare you off from "their" spot and they can even get violent about it. The absolute worst creature you can run into on a primitive camping trip is another human.
@@nihlify So, knowing that's the case, if you run into anyone, you need to be very careful. They were probably just making sure he wasn't a psycho that was gonna chase them off with a hatchet or something.
Always tell them to be careful and not to touch the dog as he will bite. That should help keep them wary. 😊
Haha that's a great shout!!
Except that is they know anything about dogs, they'll know you're lying.
@@JulianJLWnot necessarily, if the dog was barking of even bristled i may work, as long as you stop them from actually petting the dog. One time my dog scared of two kids, my dog isn't aggressive, but she is part border collie and if you run she with play nip your arms, but those kids didn't know that lol
I agree your dog didn’t like them at all which is a significant warning. I did 30 years in the police and have to assess risk many times. I am a great believer in trusting what your gut tells you. I probably would have moved location to increase my chance of a good nights sleep. You were outnumbered and I suspect balancing what your viewers would think and the risk from the lads. I am not criticising your decision, just sharing my thoughts as you asked. 👍
This is really interesting, thanks for the info. Tbh I didn't feel under threat, but it did feel a bit off. Was all okay in the end so meh, but I think if I had a smaller tent I would've just moved it.
I don't camp in general but I also don't camp outside of established camping sites the few times I've done it in my life. The adventure of wild camping or just being out SOMEWHERE is exciting but I absolutely understand the fear and nerves that go with it because all that's protecting you is a thin tent wall. If you're on your own it's harder to relax and put your guard down.
It doesnt matter how far away you go for peace and quiet. Some PITA will find you and want to be your new best mate.
It’s inevitable lol
😂😂😂
Absolutely! And they always start by pretending to be interested in you but end up just waffling pish about themselves for about half an hour! Met many of those types.
I'm glad you didn't go home. That was a nice camp. I think those men were just out for an evening walk. Perhaps they didn't want to bother you and Archie so that's why they turned round and went back?
I was 72 yrs oid when i did my first wild solo camp. On haloween night for heavens sake. Never too late to do stuff.
Haha nice one!!! You still getting out there?
Stay safe, especially the way this country is turning out. To be honest, I would have been out of there in a flash. I too am an over thinker and it rules my life.
Good job Archie.
Wonderful night out! That kind of situation is why I have never solo wild camped. I wouldn't have slept a wink and would have been so creeped out. Thank heavens Archie was around, I bet that helped. He is quite a character. lol Great on you for doing it, next time will be easier and looking forward to your next solo trip. :) :)
Thanks, appreciate it!! Yeah Archie was a massive help here. Weirdly my nerves settled within about an hour of that encounter. Strange one.
@@thomaslock97 In the middle of nowhere , one of this group decides to be polite and go and say hello ( that's what normal people do ) .................. then your brain starts racing 😰like they are up to no good. ? be better if you stay home !
Haha you clearly don’t live in a deprived area mate! Yeah, in a place like Walton if someone approaches you at night with no prompting and 2 fellas flanking it’s a perfectly reasonable assumption that they might be up to no good.
Cool trip. Sometimes it's our own mind that gets in the way of us enjoying life. You're doing fine and learning as you go.
Cheers! Yeah, it’s hard to stay grounded. But I guess our brains are specifically developed to fend off predators and so it’s natural to worry.
I'd love to do this but as a lone female, it's difficult. I'd have had to leave after their visit. 😞
Yeah I can’t imagine!! I see women do it on TH-cam and think that’s so brave .
Maybe I'm just anti-social, but I would have just said hi and kept walking if I was them. It does seem possible they were seeing if he had anything they wanted.
If I was camping alone I would definitely let someone know to come to the location if I hadn't reached out by the next day or whenever you are supposed to leave...I think it's important male or especially female as they are more vulnerable
@@johnnykeane9633yes I do this when I solo camp! I’ve a collie with me all the time and she will protect me! lol I carry pepper spray and have a stick but I also do what you suggested with letting my family know my camp is and if they don’t hear back from me before midday the following they call the police! Great advise 👌🏻
Sucks we have to feel this way. I love camping but I couldn’t go alone. Just not safe.
I trust my dog's reactions and my gut. I would have left right away.
Fair enough :)
Hi Thomas, I would say, that you never never know what‘s in somebodies mind?! maybe they saw you when they were on their boat and decided to go for a „walk“ for checking out .....; maybe not...; however ... your dog saved you from a second visit, I think?! I would recommend to be not tooooo friendly and never excuse the barking of your dog. let him bark and protect you while you try to check out the person. don‘t make you „smaller“ than you are! thank you for the wonderful video! greetings from Austria
I've wild camped and bivvied in the dunes in Northumberland and Norfolk. The important thing is to choose as remote as place as possible and pitch your tent away from the path in the dunes, and stay hidden. There are very few good wild camping places in the south-east of England. Dartmoor is great but even there you will meet people camping by the tors. Scotland is your best bet - very few people and it's perfectly legal to wild camp.
Well done for sticking it out. I prefer the woods, I started when I was 9yrs old I just used to take a tarp, roll mat, sleeping bag and some pot noodles plus water a fire steal and para cord. I remember my first time I didn’t get much sleep because every sound I thought was someone out there. By the time I was 10/11yrs I had got used to it and went out as much as I could taught myself how to use snares and catch my own food. 🤣😂🤣😂 I’m now 55 and still going out in the woods as much as I can it’s the best thing for mental health being at one with nature is the best. Keep going and good luck.
Haha sounds amazing!! I prefer the woods too tbh.
Yeah, I think you might’ve been a bit paranoid on this occasion, which is understandable given the times we live in and your dog likely sensed your discomfort, so reacted to it. I enjoyed your vid, thanks for sharing.
I would also have stayed, 4 blokes happen to meet up miles from anywhere, have a quick friendly 'hello' and go their separate ways. Cool.
not in New Zealand unfortunately I would have left
Dogs are the best❤! They can tell in an instant. I have a large mastiff myself, she's very protective. From your dogs' reaction they appeared weird. Good job🙏
Well I have just stumbled across your channel. I am pleased you stayed. It's one of those things that seems to get easier the more you do it. I am a 63 year old Aussie woman who has been camping all my life. Sometimes it's still a little daunting when I stop somewhere but for the most part I end up feeling good after I stick it out.
As for those guys I honestly believe if they were going to cause harm they would have done it then and there as they were far enough away from others I think it was far too far for them to be bothered to come back later. So I would have stayed.
Keep doing what you need to do for yourself. I enjoyed the video and will catch up on the others. 😊
Thanks for the comment! I think you’re right on those guys, I can’t imagine they’d have bothered coming all the way back. It was easily an hour plus.
Your spot on, why would people walk miles to rob someone. I can totally understand you being nervous though. A camping axe is a good idea.
Will look into that, cheers! It’s just about peace of mind innit.
Loves your camping videos. your dog must be so happy being able to go camping with you. Its to bad we cant do anything without having to look over our shoulders and worry someone might hurts us but that is our reality now days and its better to be safe then sorry. Praying for your safety🙏
A dog is the best weapon in the wild...! Dog and Gun is number one.
Agreed. That being said I still would have moved. I don't want to shoot someone if I don't have to.
In England? You get 5 years inside just for carrying a replica over here! But then we don’t get kids murdered in school every week so hey ho
First of all...great video, really enjoyed it! 😊 Secondly, I'm so torn by that situation as I always say to trust your instincts, but I'm also an overthinker and jump to the worst case scenario so I know how easy it can be to talk yourself out of things. They may have been perfectly fine, but something about that situation just felt off to me. Yeah, usually people won't walk for miles to attack someone but some people are also opportunists so you can never be too careful. The way they approached just felt odd to me, as did the way they just turned back after speaking with you and Archie REALLY didn't seem to like them. He was growling! I kinda feel like Archie saved you on this one, maybe they were thinking of doing something but Archie was so protective they decided to leave it? Or it could have been totally innocent...but before you even said anything I got dodgy vibes. 😊
Cheers! Yeah, it’s a tough one. Ruin my trip for what were probably just fellas out on a walk… or risk something bad happening? Glad I stuck it out, also glad I had Archie with me.
New subscriber, loving your adventures with Archie 😊
Always trust your gut feeling ...
Archie is such a good boy...because he has plenty of attention and excercise ❤
Right just me Alan, again order a tent called a Kampa 3 man tent because I'm going to get my miss to go. Anyway you are a very much a over thinker. Not everyone is a monster. And you got your fella with you, great show again, please take care and see you soon Alan 💯👍
Great camp, love the location, well behaved springer😁
Cheers! Yeah he was pretty good on this trip :)
My motto is, you don't have to articulate to anyone why something feels wrong, or not quite right. You just do have to do what feels right to you in that moment. Also, everyone has limitations and it's good to know and accept our own. There really is no way of knowing the outcome of things and honing intuition takes time. You call it confidence, or maybe your mistaking it for confidence. But really, it's intuition, I believe. And although pushing our limits is good for growth, there are times when it's just not necessary. I'm happy you were okay. Personally, I would have likely left and in the morning, I would have been okay with it.
Hi Thomas I was with you on the weird wood even though it was very small. But these guys were not interested in you and you have nothing worth stealing. 😂
I caught your two scary woods videos first, but this was my favourite... Totally agree with your "life lessons" at the end about just doing it. Something I'm really trying to do myself these days.
Keep up with the good work dude.
what a great vid mate. you and archie are a brill team. love you openness and honesty. as someone who suffers from severe anxiety myself i completely understand your concerns and the way your mind works. its so important to challenge yourself by facing your fears but as always this can be done in a measures way with some basic risk assessments. i would highly recommend getting yourself a stout walking stick or staff with a sharp point at the end for personal safety. Stay safe and very best wishes my friend. Des
Enjoyed that video, buddy. Keep them coming 👍
Appreciate it!!
That's an nice statement for life. "How you do one thing is how you do everything." But don't let that override your gut or dog instincts.
Try sloping the tent pegs away from the tent, this will mean they can take more weight in the case of winds straining on the tent
Aaah great shout, will bear that in mind for the future.
Another great video. There is such a great atmosphere which I never grow tired of watching. I don’t know if you know but the roll mat bag doubles in size to make inflating it easier. You just have to pull the fabric out from the inside. Once again keep up the great videos!
Thanks so much! Didn’t know that about the bag, will have to try and future it out. Cheers!
Hi, I’m new to your channel I just thought I’d give you some ideas when camping alone with archi! Get yourself some pepper spray just in case. I camp alone with my collie and carrying it has made me feel a lot more safe! We’re not used to noises of nature if we live amongst tons of people! lol Looking forward to more videos! 😁
Great video pal. I just came back yesterday from my first solo wild camp. I loved it and can’t wait to do it again. I was up in the Yorkshire dales surrounded by cattle and sheep so couldn’t take my 2 crazy cocker spaniels.
The approach from those guys was wierd. If that had happened to me when I was out without my dogs I dare say I’d have packed up and moved at least to another spot so well done for staying. I’ve always said my dogs are good judge of characters and they know if I feel uneasy they automatically want to protect me. That said, even with my dogs there I might have bottled it and moved on or gone home so well done you. Enjoyed the video so I’ve subscribed too, keep the content coming.
Sounds amazing mate!! Cheers for the sub.
I've only done one wild camp, it was with permission next to a river on farm land, it went fine, but realised I preferred small basic camp sites to wild camping, I just didn't enjoy walking miles with a rucksack just for one night, so respect to you mate, it's one under the belt for you, great video too. 👍
My problem with campsites is that they're stuffed with people blasting music from bluetooth speakers. Literally every single one I seem to go to!!! So frustrating, totally ruins the atmosphere. I'd rather hike out and mitigate that risk. That's just me though :D
@@thomaslock97 that's why I review sites first, always under 20 pitches, that state no groups and no loud music etc, and always close to a mere or the sea, got to have that chill time.
I'll have to see if I can refine my search and figure that out. I love wildcamping but I also love campsites -- much less hassle.
Excellent video, such a nice bloke and Archie is fabulous. Easy new sub here. What a fascinating place to kip down for a night too.
Cheers!!
Hello, stumbled upon your profile when you did the tent review as it is the one I am going to get. Since then been loving the uploads and the content, keep it coming and thank you :)
Amazing, thank you so much. Let me know how you get on with the Hyena :)
Yes! Wild camps. Going to watch this whilst eating, can't wait for more bud.
Thank you :)
great honesty and courage, also what is the music at the end of the video please? i really like it!
"Archie, sit! Paw, paw!"
*Proceeds to pour you a glass of fine wine*
New subscriber here, love the channel and look forward seeing it grow, stay safe, Jack
Cheers Jack!
I would have moved my camp after that encounter. Trust your dogs instinctual reactions. Good thing he was there.
Enjoyed that mate. We’ve subbed to catch more 👍
Cheers!!
Really liked the video I'm just wondering what camera are you using because I was thinking of getting into making camping videos
Hey Jack! Cheers for the comment. I use a DJI Action 4 plus the mini extension rod. Can’t recommend it enough. For these videos I typically record 2-3hr footage that I then cut down to sub 1hr and I usually only need to charge the camera once.
Simply enjoyable content solo adventure man! Great film 👏👏
Thank you! ❤️
I like to do a bit of solo hiking/camping, remember when I did my first solo camping and having in the back of my mind: what if something happens to me, the more I did it solo the more comfortable it gets, keep doing what you do and enjoy it 👍
Yeah that's definitely it, like I said in the video "putting in the reps". Just gotta get more comfy and less in my own head.
Well done mate. I can imagine it takes some bottle to get the first one done. Good vid. Subbed 👍
Thanks for the sub!
Where are those men from. Another country. I didn't recognize the accent?
I just subscribed on the last video I watched. You are at a cool
1k! Good job!
I would recommend getting a small drone for filming nice views like it’s normally used for but also in case of situations like that you can send it up and see if they are going in the direction they presented and just for scouting the area quickly in case you hear noises.👍
I think an axe is the single most important item on any outdoor trip. I don’t mean for attacking strangers! But you can wear it visibly on your belt in a situation like this. It will confer a sense of easy confidence upon you. I actually don’t think these guys had any bad intention, but if they did, a visible bushcraft axe on your hip would have made them reconsider. Unless they were armed with machine guns.
Well done Tom conquering your first Solo wild camp , don't doubt your own abilities, and have faith was a great video. If you feel like bailing just bail so what?
See you in the next one,
Ps interested in how you plan for Archie like food, snacks, ticks his sleep system ?
Could he carry his own snacks ?
Additional weight of everything for the pup.
Appreciate it! Tbh it’s a tough one with Archie - if I put a sleep system down for him he’ll ignore it. He’d much rather just be on the tent floor. I gave up on it a while back. As it gets colder I’ll have to give it another try but for now he’s happy as-is. As for food and snacks that’s all fairly lightweight in my bag and he loathes having anything strapped to him… but might be worth it for the bigger trips I’ve got planned. I’ll need to look into it more.
Great vid, very watchable!!!! I’ll be honest I would have probably bottled it and gone home. My anxiety would be through the roof
Haha cheers!! It didn't feel too off tbh! Now if you want a real spooky camp I have a video coming out this evening where I ACTUALLY bailed :D
I love the video! You're stress level started stressing me out LOL.
Haha sorry!! Cheers for watching.
Glad you stayed my guy!
Them people were sketched, coming from America, I'd have a 9 or Smith on me fasho.
But this is the UK, so having a knife on you was the right move fasho!
Enjoyed the video , subscribed , can you tell me the name of the island if indeed it has one please ?👍
Thanks Willy, appreciate it! It’s Stone Point in Walton-on-the-Naze. Not REALLY an island but it is on a technicality :P
It is a good idea to always carry a very powerful torch or lamp with you when on these overnights. It is never a bad idea to blind approaching strangers with something bright enough to see clean along that beach.
And yes, it is hard when the head starts playing tricks to remain focused and for people also to know that at times our furry pals could be acting up down to the owners own body talk.
And i am not pointing fingers.
What the best action camera as I’m thinking of doing this at the moment I’ve a hero pro 10 any advice would be fantastic
Well I grabbed a DJI Action 4 which all my videos are shot on and it’s been great so far! Can handle 2~ hours recording 4k25fps without overheating plus the DJI Mic 2 is great. Really depends on your needs though!!
DJI action 4 but action 5 is coming out soon so wait see what that's like, should drop the price of the 4 anyway.
Congratulations on the success, I've been going 7 months with weekly uploads and only just got 500 subs. You're killing it 👏👏👌
Cheers man! Like I said in the other comment I’ll check out your vids :)
Pretty sure you can carry a bigger knife/ Axe when camping, just done drop into tescos wearing them.
I thought you were brave to stay. The three mens' awkwardness was just because they were a different nationality, I think. We all behave in different ways. As a woman, I'd have been terrified! Even out walking these days, it feels commonplace now to feel unsafe. How sad is that? I'm loving your channel. Well done.
Yup and just imagine literally any time before the 1800s… way worse.
Ha ha, well done Tom, it's a remote coastline in places, looked a great spot & glad U didn't wake up in water...!👍 The Hyena is a great tent, I've got it, but still tend to use my original Eurohike BP2, plus a selection of other tents..!😄 I was loving the sunset, just before U mentioned it, oh & those plastic screw type pegs with the T-top are supposed to be good for sand, but if it's too dry/loose, I always take some food bags to fill with sand or pebbles...👍 I found i need 3-4ltrs of water for me & my dog for a night out, to cook, drink & clean... Pour water into mug, then into stove pot, so haven't gotta guess amount needed or waste any then...✔️ I wouldn't have worried about those blokes, they probably thought U were MI5 & they were just looking for their mates in the boats...!!!🤣👊💯
Yeah I really need to get a lighter tent tbh but I’m loving the Hyena II so far.
Cheers for the comment!!!
Hello new sub here, firstly I just want to say , well done for staying on the beach, also you might be a young man , but being only 26 doesn't diminish your well earned wisdom and that little Archie , wow what a cutie , such a smashing little dog , keep it up , your doing great
Thank you!! 🙏
Great video Tom, enjoyed it, if you don't mind can I ask where you got those pegs from as I'm in desperate need of some longer pegs for beach camping, also subbed.
Atb Mick 👍
Hey Mick! Cheers for the comment. I just grabbed them from Amazon, it was £15 for 6. Worth noting that the one holding the porch did bend as soon as I stepped it down but if you use a mallet or something I’m sure it wouldn’t have bent. It still works too.
TRIWONDER Tent Pegs Metal Heavy... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FKQ9LSL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
(I really ought to set up an affiliate link 😆)
@@thomaslock97 cheers Tom appreciate that, yeh I'm the same with setting up affiliate links, I'd have made a small fortune off amazon and temu by now 😂😂 thanks again 👍
This is why I love the second amendment here in the states! Great video brother!
Makes you unfuckwithable in the US doesn’t it? We have such a nanny state here you don’t ever feel truly safe.
Between my concealed and my 110 lbs. Belgian Malinois, I feel very safe here in the states. My wife doesn't carry but the Belgian keeps her safe when I'm away. The second amendment, scouts, and a few other things have taught me all I need to feel as close to safe as possible in the states.
Always listen to your intuition. I personally would have moved somewhere else because they obviously come to check you out. Maybe as they left, one of them said let's go back in the middle of the night and scare him? 😮
People will like this content more than your old stuff because they are connecting with you as a person and your personality the content is secondary. I don’t think your super edited videos were a waste because they lead you to this in a way. I also don’t think you were overthinking with them 3 guys they did seem a bit dodgy. Stick at it mate
Yeah that's all true! It's just weird editing stuff without retention in mind and having it do so well.
Go for a proper wild camp, lad! On my last bikepacking trip in Wales, I never saw anybody for 2 days. When I did eventually meet people, they were backpackers and a group of cyclists!
Those blokes looked shifty to me, and your dog knew it, and looked after you! Glad you were ok, though!
Safe camping! ✌️
In those circumstances I’d leave my tent up but hide on the side and see if they return
I do the same if I think I’m being followed, I go around a corner and hide somewhere on the side an watch them pass
I have a 100-pound dog I take camping. A person would be a fool to set foot near her teeth. But even with her by my side, I feel I would have left. You just don't know. Rather be safe than sorry.
Dogs will let you know before you someone is lurking about. I’m out all the time with my dog and I’m not one bit scared. And she is a trained guard dog and I’m her commander 😊 one cannot be too careful these days.
Omg! I’d be so frozen! If it reaches 60 degrees here I am cold! Lol. But in south Texas we are use to over 100 degree temps with 100 degree humidity. So, I probably wouldn’t have lasted especially with strange people wandering around.
Small world seeing that Uni of Lincoln hoody - colour suggests you started same year as me Sept 2016? I think you might have benefitted from the theory that a lone man in the wild is scarier than 3 men in the wild
Great vid, the more you do the more relaxed you get
Yeah for sure. I was on edge cos I’m new to it still!!
I would have stayed, but I also always set up cameras to cover all angles of the area, which set off an alarm on my mobile when someone come near the tent. I also sleep with an axe and a couple of knives, so I'm not afraid.
In the future, I'll also get a dog from a shelter; so I can have a companion, and as you say, dogs will go off barking when someone is outside.
Dropped a sub, video was interesting and like the rambling 😂
Haha appreciate it!
You got it right dude: just keep it as a vlog-journal.
Don’t chase the ‘content’ I’ve recently unsubbed from a couple big names because you can tell the’re trying to constantly change, evolve, settle on what keeps the views high and the ‘content’ slowly degrades (my opinion - really it just changes from what I subscribed to) as they try stay ahead of the algorithm.
I’ve spent quite a bit of my working life in the dark hours dealing with public. I didn’t actually get much a bad vibe from those guys. Maybe opportunists, maybe not. I think they were just expecting to do a circular walk and get back before true night fall.
I’d go to say they were probably more worried of you. What we do: solo camping, is weird, and requires a certain amount of bravery and is usually a certain kind of person
Nice polite, well spoken guy, solo camping out there. Smacks of ex-military (even of you’re not). Archie helped too for sure.
Especially as you got up and walked towards them too. Good body language.
Solo camping is a mindset and it requires constant practice.
New sub from me! Cheers.
Cheers for the sub! Not ex-military haha (I’m a programmer by trade lol) but figured I ought to be as assertive as possible and I guess it paid off. Didn’t even think of how they might’ve perceived me lol.
Well done for staying mate.
I’m a guy, relatively for enough to take care of myself in those situations but I would of gone 😂 obviously your gut was right as you were fine but that was really weird how they approached you. Good thing you had the dog and it’s a good thing he barked at them.
They of course could of been totally innocent and just having a walk about but you never know these days.
If you ever go anywhere on your own again, take the dog with you.
Awesome video btw 😊
Yeah it’s a 50/50 whether they had sinister intentions or not but it was okay in the end. Cheers!
You might wanna check out Levington, just off the Marina is a footpath to Trimley marshes and there's some quiet spots round there, could be good for a stealth camp.
Cheers for the suggestion man, will give it a look
Is Archie a springer or Brittany ? Beautiful dog
English Springer :) Pedigree but the person we bought him from "lost the certificate" so likely he's got a bit of something else in him. Apparently he's a 'show dog' not a gun dog because he's significantly taller than other springers.
Screw it, let’s just do it !!! My new life mantra !!!
Nice one!!
I would have stayed. There were 3 of them, if they were going to do something they would have already done it. Plus as you said, they obviously wern't out looking for trouble in the middle of nowhere.
if you are nervous of strangers you should always go camping with a friend. Also take a lot more water with you.
Done that a few times but wanted to strike off on my own… just didn’t expect anyone to approach!! Cheers for the comment.
I'm guessing as you walked from Walton on the Naze towards Harwich, the bench got burnt by the Dover Court Massive!
I'm over the water in Felixstowe and have walked where you camped, but never thought about overnighting.
Haha, that’ll be it!! Should’ve sent some Morse code flashes over to Felixstowe with my channel URL just in case 😆 Cheers for watching and the comment!
That’s why I don’t like tents for wildcamp I would always use a tarp,torch with strobe,and a wood cutting tool ie machete. I generally sleep well.
Torch with a strobe is a great idea!!
Had some freaky experiences around the naze especially around the pill boxes and forest
Would you mind elaborating? I go there often; what kind of freaky experiences?
A man’s best friend is with you in Archie. TH-cam fine 👍
Maybe keep a monkey fist or a heavy mag lite or walking stick.. ?
I think the boat was going to drop something on the shore, I think the 3 guys were going to pick it up.
So you're saying I walked into the opening of a thriller film? 👀
What do U expect from unexpected non-native speaking visitors?!
As expected, your dog was reading your anxiety/tension and then responding to that
Trust your instincts man. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Your dog obviously detected that something was off too.
No the dog behaved totally normally.
Imagine if you had a small, extremely portable, ergonimic, tool that could nearly absolutely ensure your safety against multiple potential attackers. Even dangerous wildlife.
Imagine if they had such tools also. Dumb.
@@no-ko2ls You're right. Equality is retarded.
This was a proper camp, mate! New sub here. Well done! 🥷⛺️🐢
Cheers and thanks for the sub!!
Hi mate i go solo camping all time i was same as you bit nervous scared etc at my first solo ..... In time u get used too it mate u be fine ok trust me
Yeah for sure! Like I said, gotta put in the reps.
Fair play you have Archie with you no worries when you have dog great video
Cheers :)