It was winter so there was plenty of snow about - I was half joking; quite honestly we would have had a job to set anything other than our bit of wood alight - - but it fanned the flames so fast it was just fascinating to see it. None of this down on your knees and blow gently lark.

So....are you a pyro, by any chance?

I mean I love making fires, we wouldn't hike every weekend with family as kids if folks wouldn't promise making a fire each time (and roasted potatoes and wursts), but is it legal here? To hike and make open fire in nature, or nature park?

The books that we got were some kind of US army, or something SAS survival, with a loads of photos. I don't know why but it only counted on guys reading it.

I'd say on the whole, if it is forbidden it says so. Nature reserves and Tessin (because the risk of fire is so high there unless it's raining and then most people won't be making one anyway). Summer 2001 it was forbidden nearly everywhere as there hadn't been any rain - but in these exceptional circumstances it is usually mentioned on the news after the weather forecast. Around here there are lots of places where wood is actually provided and a ring of stones in place. too. We used to cook pasta or rice as well as 'burning sausages' but usually far from the crowds so we gathered our own wood!

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Longbyt

Cooking on fire is so nice...I still have the pots, probably somewhere.

Anyone up for a survival EF boot camp in the summer?

It takes plenty of initial practice to understand what to look for and not to freak out like a girl when you do eventually feel a tail brushing your wrist. Hunting like this is deeply satisfying; no tools, no money, no rush.

Finding the right sort of river / pool is important. Anywhere with overhanging banks, rocky pool areas, shallows and fast moving areas are ideal. Fish like to rest after dealing with fast flowing water, and will often look for a rock or shadowy bank to catch their breath.

Expect to get wet. Get a feeling for which way the fish are facing. This requires patience. Don't make the noob mistake of stalking when the sun's overhead; cloudy days or morning / evening are best. Before full moon you'll catch males, during and after you'll catch females. Weird, but oddly true.

Either wade in shallow water or lie on a bank, minimising your overhanging shadow. Beware that banks can have all manner of things you don't want to be fiddling: old fishing hooks, glass, river rats, gunk. Keeping still, cupped fingers, slide your hand slowly behind where you feel the fish may be. You won't catch anything but dirt under your nails for the first fifty times you try this, but you may get lucky and the win is worth the wait.

Chances are they sense you and are off, but there are happy times if they don't. Tiny, tickley vibrations from your fingertips along the underbelly of the fish will curiously not cause it to swim away, although you need to be determined and get your other hand on it pronto to grasp, 'bend' the fish into a crescent shape so it can't bolt off and immediately get it out of the water and away onto terra firma. A brisk, heavy strike on its head and you're done. In a good river you can catch quite a few, but beware it's considered poaching.

You'll notice I use terms like 'feel' and 'sense'. Hunting can't be rushed and calls on sensory 'intelligence' as much as a sharp eye and patience.

Fish ought to be longer than the span of your hand. If anyone in the Zurich area fancies their chances, downstream from the Werdinsel is a good place to start. It's also a nudist gay cruising area; more than fish are 'hunted' there...

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Wave ¦ Synthpop ¦ 80's ¦ Alternative ¦ Party ¦ Sat 24.03 Provitreff Zurich

It is in English and I know a few boys who attend. They all seem to really enjoy it.

I developed my love of outdoors life from an early start in the scouts. Eventually, the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold. If I'd paid attention to the background and ideals of each respective movement I may not have done what I did; In the day we were more interested in having a weekend away from home and the chance to smoke a few ciggies on the sly. Learned how to be resourceful at the same time. The volunteer leaders left a great impression. If this is your bag, I'm sure they'd appreciate extra hands.

@billhardie ur a qld'er? hey! glad to meet one of my mob!!! anyway has taken me the better part of many hikes in switzeraland to realise this is not the outback and you don't need to panic if you don't know where you are cos b4 too long there will be a sign post or even better a tavern that serves beer... wine .... etc... so while i am in europe really don't think i will need my fire making .... water finding skills!

Hiya! Pls dnt wrt w/txtspk, kkthx bye!

So, no octopus, crab, lobster or prawns for you?