91Èȱ¬

• Always have a positive attitude and respect for theÌýenvironment you're in. Look after the forest, it will look after you.

• Learn what's around you by looking for animal tracks.ÌýLook carefully for signs of disturbance in the undergrowth and animal droppings. Deer may strip the bark off small trees.

• There's all you need in the forest to build a natural shelter. Branches provide the framework, and foliage and brash the roofing, offering a snug den that keeps you dry and warm. Rope can be fashioned from nettles by stripping the stalk, twisting and plaiting .

• If you plan on five star dining, simple utensils like spoons can be made of birch bark, and forks made from sharp sticks

• There's no need to get lost in the wood, whatever the time of day or night.ÌýMoss on trees likes the shade, so it's always thicker on the north side of the plant.ÌýAt night, the stars shine bright above the forest because there's little light pollution.ÌýFind the North Star by drawing an imaginary line from the vertical two stars in the bowl of the Plough, called the pointers.ÌýIt hardly moves through the night, offering a sure-fire way of telling your direction of travel.

• If you know what you are doing, there's plenty to eat in the forest.ÌýNettle soup tastes surprisingly good.ÌýTea can be made from the flowers of bell heather.ÌýIt has a lovely honey taste.ÌýSoaking pine needles in hot water also provides a refreshing drink.ÌýHealthy eaters can even rustle up a salad of wood sorrel, dandelion leaves and wild raspberries!

Good luck!