Wednesday 12 April 2017

Magura Cave, Bulgaria



Some video clips from the Magura Cave. Its pretty big one with 2.5km (1.6 mi) total length. It is in the form of a passage and when somebody enters from one end exits through the other. It is interesting because contains human remains from about 40 000 years ago and was home for some of the last Neanderthals. Also it has inside prehistoric wall paintings made of guano and carbon dated from 11 000 to 8 000 years ago. And particularly interesting for me are some of the depictions of Ostrich and Giraffe-like animals made about 11 000 years ago. I made some research and couldn't find anything like that living at the time in the area or even Europe in general. Strangely enough this issue was not researched and very few people even paid attention. I guess these that know that giant birds haven't lived among the early Europeans are different people from these that analyse ancient paintings or with other words Palaeontologists don't mix with Archaeologists. Also there are depictions of mushrooms, so the use of the magic ones is not out of question. The Sun-like paintings have corresponding number of rays and lines and suggest early attempts for creating calendars.

All that was amazing, but there were a vandalised paintings and rocks from the time when the cave was freely open for anybody. Nowadays one can enter alone after paying small fee, but generally the halls with the paintings are visited with guides.

TLDR Big cave with prehistoric wall paintings. If you visit Bulgaria one of the top 10 things to see.

Entrance of the Magura cave
Stairs in the Magura cave
First hall in the Magura cave. Tribe of 300 prehistoric people lived here. Remains of Cave Bear, Cave Hyena aand other prehistoric animals were found. Scientist say that Neanderthals lived in the cave, too.
Stalagmites in the Magura cave
Vandals defacing and destroying cultural heritage of the humanity in the Magura cave
The walks are well lit and marked in the Magura cave
Interesting formation in the Magura cave, looks like stalagmite
View from the walk in Magura
Stalagmite in Magura
Cool passages in the Magura cave
Nearly vertical drop in the middle of the cave after the paintings hall section
Entrance of the "Art Gallery" in the Magura cave
One of the most interesting prehistoric paintings in the Magura cave. Dated 10-11 000 years old, depicts hunting scene and Ostrich- or "big bird"- like animal, which shouldn't have existed at that time and place.
The animal depicted in this prehistoric scene even without the "bird" are interesting and strange enough
Prehistoric symbols and paintings in the Magura cave
Motive depicting two figures, probably man and woman, repeated often on the walls of the Magura cave
Possible depiction of prehistoric calendar in the Magura cave
Prehistoric symbols in the Magura cave
More prehistoric symbols and paintings in the Magura cave
Paintings and symbols in Magura cave
More paintings in Magura cave
View of the passage to the hall with the wall paintings in Magura
The exit of the Magura cave
View of the Lake Rabisha from the exit of the Magura cave
Panorama of the Lake Rabisha

Sunday 9 April 2017

Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe



I recorded a bit of the work of a Moroccan woodturner. It's interesting because they work with hand-turned bow lathes and use very curious technique which relies on the foot nimbleness. Seems their craft was preserved nearly unchanged since the ancient times, probably as far as the antique period, when these artisans were probably common sight across the Mediterranean countries.

People doing this can be found across the medinas (old towns) of Morocco, but predominantly in Marrakesh, were nowadays their trade is mostly tourist attraction and they earn their living selling souvenirs. Nonetheless it's an interesting craft and technique which should be preserved as part of the cultural heritage of the humanity.

Also I observed other non-touristic places, crafts and activities in the country, which I think should be brought to the public attention, too.

Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Note how the chisel is supported with the toes. 

Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Drilling hole for neck string.

Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe  
Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Polishing the souvenir with a handful of wood flakes. 

Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe

Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe

Woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe. Polishing the souvenir with a handful of wood flakes.

The final product of the woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe

The final product of the woodturning with Moroccan bow lathe

Wednesday 5 April 2017

Bulgarian fish trap (blind basket)



While walking around in Bulgaria, I spotted this typical for the country fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош). They look like the eel traps and are made in similar manner but are not so elongated and are flattened. Many years ago I've been thought how to wove them as part of my family tradition and in some of the next videos I'll show how it is done. In general I am fascinated with the this type of traditional crafts and primitive technologies and I'd like to see everyone of us sharing the knowledge.

The reason to visit again Bulgaria is, because the NHS traumatology didn't have free slot until the end of October and because my injured foot was not deemed life-threatening I couldn't get emergency treatment. So after 3 months waiting, the situation started getting worse and I was barely able to walk and I went in Bulgaria, where I got something called "free check", which basically means paid service for people who doesn't live in the country and are not insured in any way. The whole thing lasted less then an hour, and cost me the grand total of £20, which includes x-ray, couple of control checks and scheduled up to 5 shock-wave or whatever are called procedures and after 3 days I could walk again and the pain in greatly diminished. So if anybody has issues with the health, don't wait and run to some other country, I can confirm that the quality of the health care in East Europe and the Mediterranean countries like Spain is much higher.

Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош) 
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош) 
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош) 
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош) 
Bulgarian fish trap, called locally "blind basket" (сляп кош, слеп кош) 

Tuesday 21 March 2017

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London



These small birds called European Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) are very common across whole Europe, but nonetheless very beautiful and often overlooked. They start building their nests in the branches of the trees during spring time. The nest itself is hemispherical and very neatly woven and lined with fine fluff. Another interesting thing about the goldfinches is that they have typical sweet high pitched warble and are often hybridised with canaries which produces vigorous offspring with pleasant song.

I'll try this year to find singing goldfinch with nest, but for now that is all I could get.

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London 

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London

European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis carduelis) in London

Thursday 16 March 2017

Emergency shelter, fully enclosed tent with floor in less then 2 min, from square tarp



This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single square sheet (6'x6' tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 2 min and costs about £2. The weight with the pegs and the pole (can be used walking stick, too) is half kilogram (1lbs). Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.

It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do.

The advantages compared to the other set up (2x3 tarp/sheet) are that this one is a bit taller, so it is easier to sit inside and eat or have a cup, it uses only one pole, it is better closed and has smaller foot print.

Disadvantages are that being taller is easier to be seen, it is not so stable in wind, it is smaller and not so comfortable, there is need for a longer piece of string.

I used to do this more then 20 years ago in the army with my plasht (or as the Russians call it "plash-palatka"), which has the same size as standart tarp 1.8x1.8m (6'x6'). I think it was alright size 70 years ago, when most of the soldiers were 1.7m (5'7"), but today it is on the shorter side as I am 1.82m (about 6') and 7'x7' tarp (or other type of material) would be the right size for me.

This is only to show the idea how a square sheet can be folded in a pyramid and by no means a final and perfect shelter solution. There are many improvements that can be done, according each taste. If you have ideas for improvements or bettering the set up please write them in the comment section. Thanks.

Below photos and paper model showing how exactly is folded:

Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter
Fully enclosed tent with floor from square tarp, emergency shelter

Square sheet of some water/windproof fabric
Folding it, so we can find the middle of each side
Mark/fold the line between corner and middle of the corresponding side
Mark/fold the line between corner and middle of the corresponding side
Same for the other side
Another view to show better how it looks
Folding the line of the front flap
Sheet folded in the shape of the tent
For simulating pitching up, I used 2 pins to show where are the pegs, which will stretch and fix the sheet to the ground
For the pole which supports the tent I used toothpick. In reality it is a stick 1.4m long, from which 0.4m are nailed into the ground and is fixed with string/buttons/wire to the front flap. Also there can be used piece of string to pull the pole in the opposite of the pegs direction.
Another view

Thursday 9 March 2017

Emergency shelter, fully enclosed tent with floor in less then 3 min, from 2x3 tarp



This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single 2x3 sheet (tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 3 min and costs about £2. The weight with the poles (can be used walking stick, too) is half to one kilogram. Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.

It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do. This is updated video of how to make an emergency shelter from single 2x3 sheet (tarp). If done properly it can replace brand tent/bivvi, its done in less then 3 min and costs about £2. The weight with the poles (can be used walking sticks instead) is half to one kilogram. Also the tarp can be used as hammock, rain-cape, etc.

It is one of the things that everybody interested in surviving and travelling through the wilderness must know how to do.

Also, another set up with a square tarp and one pole.

Below you can see the correct proportions, so if anybody wants to do it in higher quality version.

Sizes
Folds
A fold to give sense of shape and proportion
Folded paper model, "d" is where one of the supporting stick will be fixed and the other one will be on the opposite  side
Folded model, side view

Friday 24 February 2017

Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England



I spotted this nice tropical duck in the St James's Park somewhere around Christmas. It is called Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) and is normally seen in Africa, South America or India and I guess it felt a bit cold in the chilly England winter.

To make sure it is not its cousin the Lesser whistling duck take note of the black strip on the back of its neck and the light creamy feather above the tail (the Lesser one has them in reddish chestnut colour)

Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England from the front
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England frontal view
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England. From the back, note black strip on the neck
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England. From side, note light creamy feathers above tail.
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England
Fulvous whistling duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) at St James's Park, England with a Coot for size comparasion

Thursday 9 February 2017

Travel gear - Swiss army knife - short overview


The Swiss army knife is one of the most important pieces of gear I carry with myself when I travel in the wild. However, while the main blade and the wood saw are vital I rarely need the rest of the tools and when I have to find replacement, for example after flying, I usually buy whatever pocket knife I can find as long as it has a wood saw.