Learn How To Make A Tent Peg - Video Tutorial

Discover How Easy You Can Learn A New Bushcraft Skill That Will Assist You When Setting Up A Tarp Or Basha.




For me, Bushcraft is all about acquiring new skills, that once mastered will stay with you for evermore and hopefully you will be able to pass on to your kids, students or other people showing an interest in this rewarding activity, we call Bushcraft.

One of the easiest and most rewarding skills to learn is a simple whittling project, that involves making your own tent peg.

For this, any decent pocket knife, such as a Victorinox Trailmaster (Trekker) or a more substantial knife like a Mora Clipper, is all you need to create your peg (Along with a suitable stick of course). So to begin with, we need to find a suitable stick and I tend to go for one about the tickness of my thumb. This is of course personal preference, but I find this is a decent size to whittle, whilst being strong enough to serve its purpose as a peg (Holding your tarp up).

At the end of this post I will submit a video tutorial, which demonstrates me creating a tent peg. But I just wanted to give a brief written explanation first.

1. Ideally your finished peg needs to be approx 20cm in length (Approx 1 Hand Span, if you don't have a tape measure in your rucksack), so chose a suitable stick with this in mind. A peg that is too short will not hold any reasonable load. 2. Starting approx 1.5" down from the top end of the peg, we make a "X" cut, reasonably deep. Make a kind of rolling action with your blade around the stick as you press down. Don't worry if the "X" cut seems too shallow, we can come back to this as we progress.

3. We then use a push cut, which involves holding the knife with your right hand, but pushing the blade with your left thumb, into each axis of the "X", forming the notch. Try to create a curved cut in to the notch (See diagram below) 4. After each couple of push cuts, perform another downward cross cut, cleaning out the notch.

5. Continue with these 2 cuts (Downward Cross Cut & Push Cut) until you are happy with the depth and look of the notch. 6. Complete the peg by adding a good point, then rounding off the other end to remove any sharp bits that may be uncomfortable, when pushing the peg into the ground with your hand. You can of course use the back of an axe or hatchet to knock the peg into the ground.

Once you have practiced this a few times, you should be able to knock a peg up in under a minute (But Hey...whats the rush...enjoy your whittling)

Homemade Bushcraft Hobo Stove & Pop Can Stove

Learn How Easy You Can Put Together A Cheap Homemade Cookset With A Bean Tin And A Pop (Soda) Can.

A Popular Piece Of Kit With Bushcrafters Is The Hobo Stove, Which Is Cheap To Make And Coupled With A Homemade Pop Can Stove, Provides A Great Cookset When Out On  The Trail.

Having all the best gear is great if you can afford it, but not everybody has a disposable income to throw at bushcraft kit (Me included), so why not use what you already have around the house and create your own homemade cookset. When you are out on the trail, you always need to be able to heat up some water for a brew or cook some noodles etc. And for this you are going to need some form of stove. Having a few fuel options for your stove is also an advantage and being able to use either meths/alcohol or simply sticks and twigs means you can always get the kettle on.

There are many stoves out there that do a great job, but we are not going to discuss these today. We are going to learn how you can create a versatile, cheap and compact cookset using old bean tins and pop (soda) cans.

I don'y know about you, but there is something satisfying about making something yourself, then going out into the woodland and testing it out for the first time. And its even better when the thing you have created, works great and does everything you wanted it to.

The Hobo Stove

We will start with something we call a Hobo Stove. And as the name suggests, these were (And probably still are) made by hobo's (tramps), out of old tin cans etc. so they could create a contained fire to keep warm, cook food or heat water.

It is, just a tin can, with some holes cut into it. You then load your tin can stove with fuel, such as tinder, kindling, sticks, twigs etc. Ignite the tinder with your firesteel or matches etc. and away you go. You have yourself a small contained heat source, which you can keep going by adding more sticks or twigs. This is great when you want to make a brew or heat up some food. You just have a quick search round for your fuel, chuck it all in your bushcraft hobo stove and in a few minutes you have heat, which is both a means of heating your water/food etc. and a huge moral booster.

As a wood burner, the hobo stove is excellent and you know you are always going to have a source of fuel around you (most of the time).

Pop Can Stove

Now as a backup or alternative to the wood burner, you can make yourself a "Trangia" style alcohol (meths) burner out of an old pop (soda) can. These are very easy to make (There are endless videos on youtube on how to do this) and work really well.

Homemade alcohol stoves weigh next to nothing and if you damage it, just make another one. The only downside to the pop can stove is that it will not keep excess fuel (meths/alcohol) in it, once you have finished heating your water and extinguished the flame. You have to work out (By experience) how much fuel you are likely to need for the job in hand. Then once you are done, just let the excess burn away until dry.

The pop can stove can be used in conjunction with the hob stove, by simply dropping it in the bottom of the hobo stove, which then acts as a windshield. Your billy can of choice can then sit on top of the hobo stove to heat your water or warm your meal.

Hobo stoves can be adapted to take all manner of billy cans, pans and pots etc. Its just limited by your imagination really.

Depending on what size of bean tin you use, your hobo stove design will work in different ways and allow you to do more or less functions.

You may want a larger bean tin to create a more versatile and robust cooking platform. Or you may want to use the smaller tins to create a lightweight backpacking tin can stove setup.

Whichever you chose (maybe both) you can be pleased with what you have created, knowing you have produced a cheap (if not free) and versatile cooking set, giving you the option to use natural fuel (wood) or alcohol/meths.

Bushcraft On A Budget - You Don't Have To Spend A Fortune

Learn How You Can Enjoy Bushcraft On A Budget And Avoid Spending A Fortune On All The Must Have Outdoor Kit




When I was a kid playing in the woods, all you needed was a pocket knife and a bit of string. Which allowed me to whittle pieces of wood, slice apples found on our travels and the string meant we could make a bow to play Robin Hood or build a simple shelter (Or den as we called them). And if you were lucky enough to find a match (yes, just one) we had fire too !

Nowadays, with the invention of the trendy word "Bushcraft", it has opened a whole new stream of must have kit, required when venturing any further than the end of your driveway.

Pocket knife, bushcraft knife, spoon carving knife, saw, folding saw, wire saw, hatchet, axe, tarp, poncho, bivi-bag, meths stove, gas stove, solid fuel stove, survival kit, firesteel, gas firelighter, rucksack, backpack, gps,torch, head torch, hammock...

You get the idea...

Getting out into the outdoors, whether it be to observe the wildlife, learn about fungi or foraging, is a great activity to get involved with. And having the appropriate kit to enhance your experience (i.e...Making sure you are comfortable whilst outdoors) is always a sensible aspect to consider.

But purchasing all this kit, can be expensive if you are buying it all brand new. So what I did was to watch several videos on Youtube related to bushcraft, to learn what kit I thought I might require.

Online Auction Site Bargains

And once I had a short list of things to look for, I then went onto the well known auction site and started searching for the kit. But don't just buy the first thing you see. Do your research and watch how much the items are selling for. Before long you will start to get an idea for what certain things are selling for and what you are comfortable paying for.

If you are clever and see when items are finishing on the auction sites, you may be able to snap up some bargains. Some people who list their items for selling are inexperienced and have their items finishing in the middle of the night. These are the items to keep your eye on, as there will be far few people bidding at this time.

Car Boot And Jumble Sales (Yard Sales)

Another place to search for kit is car boot sales and jumble sales. These are a fantastic place to build up your kit, as you have the benefit of being able to physically pick up the item and have a good look at it, before grabbing yourself a bargain... One mans trash is another mans treasure !

Army Surplus Stores

An alternative source of kit, although not quite as cheap, but still good value are Army Surplus Stores. Here you are more often than not guaranteed to be obtaining quality kit, that you know is going to be up to the job and not fall to bits after your first outing. The prices are not as flexible as you are not actually bartering for items. They are simply sold at affordable prices compared to brand new from the traditional high street shops.

However, Are Exceptions...

This doesn't mean to say totally discount the high street stores, as there can be bargains to be had. Just keep your eye out...

Once you have built up some budget bushcraft kit, there is nothing to stop you replacing it with newer kit further down the line (Should you need to of course). Some people just like having the newest kit on the market and that's fine, its your money at the end of the day. But everyone's budgets are different.

I am a great believer in getting good kit for bargain prices and the majority of my kit has been bought from online auction sites. On occasions I have splashed out (No more than £25.00 though... !) and bought a piece of kit I know is of good quality and perfect for what I need. (Again, doing my research first on Youtube)

I will leave you with this short video, which demonstrates what kit you can build up on a tight budget...

What Is The Best Tarp Setup - Steps To Take When Setting Up A Tarp

In this post we are going to look at different methods of tarp set up and steps to follow when setting up a tarp or basha.

If you have ever watched any of Ray Mears TV programs or DVD's, you will have no doubt seen him putting up a tarp, closely followed by setting up a hammock. Ray always goes through a set procedure, everytime he is tarp camping and there is good reason for this, which we will discuss later on in the post. But to start, lets go through what you need for a successful basha tarp setup plus the different options you may want to consider.

You can spend quite a considerable amount of money on a good camping tarp set up, but when you first start out, you can easily put together a functional and affordable kit.

So what components do we need ?

Tarp or Basha
Ridge Line
Guylines
Pegs
Karabiners
Prusik Loops

These are the typical components required to set up a tarp shelter, to protect you from the elements, brew up and watch the wildlife. You can of course erect a perfectly adeqate shelter using just a few of these items, so we will go through each component in turn and discuss some of the options or considerations regarding each.

Tarp or Basha

A Tarp is basically a piece of sheet material, with various securing points to allow you to create a temporary shelter when outdoors. Tarps are also referred to as a Basha (Its more of a military term for a tarp).

Tarp sizes vary, depending on how much you want to spend or for what purpose you require the tarp.

If you are setting up a semi-permenant shelter when camping with a hammock, you would want a larger canopy size (e.g 3 x 3m or bigger), to ensure your hammock is fully protected and maybe have room for other kit or an area to cook under.

However, if you are just out for the day or a couple of hours and need the tarp, just in case it rains and you need to be setting up a tarp shelter quickly. You would be better carrying a smaller one, that fits easily into a small rucksack etc. An ex-army poncho is suited to this and can be bought quite cheaply.

The majority of tarps you can get hold of, will come with some form of securing points. Whether it be as simple as brass eyeletts in each corner. Or like with the more expensive bashas, you can expect brass eyeletts and webbing loops in each corner, loops along the ridge and also press studs to connect two tarps together to form an even bigger canopy. Obviously the more securing points you have the more versatile your shelter will be, giving you plenty more options when deciding on your tarp configuration.

As you can see from the photo on the right, there are several securing points, which has allowed be to peg out the tarp, not just from the corners, but all the way along the bottom edge, giving it more rigidity.

There are also a good amount of webbing loops to secure a good ridge line, again giving me a more rigid shelter, that wont flap around in the wind as much.

When I first started out in bushcraft, I was on a limited budget and as more and more younger people (Who may not be working yet) are getting involved with bushcrafting, you may need to consider the "Cheap Tarps" option.

This is quite acceptable and can be quite rewarding when you put together your own tarp kit for little or no money. One of my first ever videos I filmed for my Youtube Channel (JesterBushcraft) was for just that "A Cheap Tarp Setup"

Ridge Line

Once you have your tarp, you are going to need to secure to one or two trees, depending on what type of configuration you are going for.

The most common way of doing this is by securing some paracord (Which can come in differing sizes) from one tree and attaching the other end to a second tree, wide enough apart to hang your tarp over. Most people can tie a rope securely to a tree, but the key is to be able to get the knots undone again, when striking camp. You dont want to be wasting time and energy struggling to undo knots in the rain or the cold.

And for this reason, there are a number of knots or hitches that you can quickly learn, that will allow you to secure a good sturdy ridge line. But more importantly, take it all down again with as little fuss as possible.

Here are a couple of methods I have learnt which I now use all the time when setting up a basha or tarp. You will over time, learn different methods and favour certain ones, as I have mentioned in one of my videos.

There are 2 ways in which you can suspend the tarp from the ridge line. First, you can simply drape the tarp over the ridge line. Or second, you can run the ridge line through the loops on the tarp. Either method is fine. It's all down to personal preference really.

Guylines, Pegs & Karabiners

Once your tarp is suspended from your ridge line, you will then need to secure it using guylines. For this you can use some form of chordage, twine or a narrower guage paracord. Your guylines need to be long enough to be able to reach down to the ground and also to other securing points, like a tree etc. I use small karabiners to attach my guylines to the tarp, but you can simply tie them directly onto the webbing loops, if you want to keep them on the tarp permenantly.

I prefer to use karabiners, as it gives me more flexibility when setting up my tarp. I can add and remove guylines where and when I like, without having to mess about undoing any knots.

When pegging out your tarp, you can either carry some normal metal pegs (like from a small tent) or carve some yourself, which is more time consuming. Carving your own pegs, should only be done if you are not pushed for time, but is more rewarding and saves weight in your pack. The hardest thing about carving your own pegs is having to leave them behind (especially when its the first few pegs you have ever made).

Prusik Loops

In the list of components above, we mentioned Prusik Loops. These are a very simple device, but very effective and simple to use. I use Prusik Loops everytime when setting up a tarp as I find it the quickest and most reliable method to secure the tarp to the ridge line. The Prusik Loop is attached onto the ridge line, at either end of the tarp, then secured using a karabiner to one of the end ridge loops, stopping it from sliding up and down the ridge line.

The next video demonstrates each component we have just discussed, including the use of Prusik Loops. And as you will notice in the video, you are learning all the time. the more you get out and test your kit, the more familiar you will get with it.

To conclude, we will go back to the beginning of the post when me mentioned about a set routine. This basically means, get used to setting up your tarp in the same order everytime time you are out. And also when packing your kit away. Even the way you fold your tarp, how you hank your ridge line etc.

Always pack your kit into the same part of your rucksack, so you know exactly where it is, when you have to set up your tarp in a hurry.

Working to this set routine will eventually make the process second nature to you and save you time and effort.

I hope this post was of some use to you (Mainly for newcomers to bushcraft really) and I would like to finish by providing you with a short list of related videos that may also be of added benefit :

Related Videos

1. Desert Basha - A Brief Demo
2. Hanking Guylines (ropes)
3. Tarp & Pole Setup Using A Walking Pole
4. New Tarp Configuration Testing

Basic Bushcraft Kit And How To Get Started

When I first got interested in Bushcraft, my initial questions were... "What should be my basic bushcraft kit and how do I get started ?"

In this post, I hope to give you and bit of an idea, how I got started and what kit you want to consider, to get yourself up and running.

I must point out though, you can have all the kit in the world, but if you don't have the knowledge to back it up, you're not going to get very far. And when I say knowledge, that doesn't mean you have to be an expert before you go out into the wilderness. You just need tutorials or basic instructions, that you can refer to, that will allow you to go out into your local woodland and practice your skills.

You can then build on these skills, improving them as you get more experienced. And over time you will arm yourself with an arsenal of knowledge that will stay with you wherever you may find yourself and whatever situation you are faced with.

Marry this with some reliable equipment and you're good to go, ready for whatever is thrown at you. But the main thing is, have some fun. Enjoy the learning process and be proud of yourself when you learn a new skill.

And when you do start to go into the outdoors, make it an enjoyable experience. Have the appropriate kit for the conditions and terrain. There is nothing worse than trying to light a fire in the rain with a box of cheap matches, just to make a brew. Be prepared (Yes I was a Boy Scout)

Ok, so where should you start...

Well a good place to start is with some reference material. If you have never put up a basha (tarp shelter), made a fire or chopped wood, you need to know how to go about it. So you need some form of reference.

This can be in the form of written instructions from a book, or something I found usefull when I first started, a video tutorial. We're not all the same and some people learn better from books whereas other people, like myself, much prefer to watch a video. So you use whatever reference material suits you best.

Books... And What To Consider...

If you want to chose a suitable book to get started, look no further than Ray Mears Outdoor Survival Handbook.

This is a fantastic book for beginners and more experienced bushcrafters, as it covers all four seasons in seperate sections. This means you are not overloaded with information, you just concentrate on what is around you at that particular time of year. If you are looking to spend just a day, a week or even months in the outdoors, this book guides you, with great illustrations and simple to follow instructions. It takes you through all the basics, such as shelter building, firelighting, woodcraft and first aid. This is a great book to start with and will serve you well, as you increase your bushcraft knowledge.

This is not the smallest of books and if you are struggling for space or just want something you can carry in your pocket, when you're out and about, then consider the SAS Survival Guide by John 'Lofty' Wiseman.

Speak to any bushcrafter or outdoorsman (or woman) and they will no doubt have the pocket version of this book either in their pocket or in their rucksack. John 'Lofty' Wiseman is a legend in the world of survival, so you can rest assured that this little book is full of quality information and great to keep with you when you are on the trail. It covers virtually every aspect of survival you could possibly think of, so if you are ever out in the wilderness (or your local woodland, to be more realistic). And lets say for example you need to know how to filter some stream water to make a safe and drinkable cup of tea, just refer to this fantastic little book and you will no doubt find your answer.

There are many other books on the market, which you should also look at, but to get you started, you can't go wrong with these two books.

Another way of learning new skills is to go on a survival/bushcraft course, where you are actually shown what to do and you can see exactly how things are done. However, these courses, although extremeley good, can be very expensive. So what's the alternative... ?

Video Tutorials...

Video tutorials are a great (and cheap) way to learn new bushcraft skills. You can watch other people trying out the skills that you may want to also learn more about. You can see their mistakes, their methods and listen to advice they may have to offer.

You can see what kit they use, what they recommend or reviews they have done on kit that you may be looking to purchase. All valuable information, just from the click of your mouse.

As you will no doubt be aware, Youtube is a fantastic source of information (It's not just for cats that can juggle or drunk people falling off tables). And I can say from experience that there is a core group of people on Youtube, that regularly submit videos to their respective channels (This is how I first started and eventually began to create my own videos and so evolved my own channel, JesterBushcraft), providing great information, kit reviews, advice and tutorials.

The great thing about these videos, is that if you forget an element of the skill, you can always go back and re-play the video, just to remind yourself. You can save all your favourite videos into a specific folder, depending on what skills you are working on.

And probably one of the most popular uses of Youtube channel videos, is for kit reviews. If you are looking to buy a new piece of kit and you want to know how good it is or what other people think of it, watch a video of somebody who has already purchased it and used it.

Ok,so we've bought a couple of books and we've watched a few videos, just to get us in the mood and possibly find a couple of new skills to start practicing.

One of the next things I would recommend, is to either get yourself a map of your local area or go onto Google Maps and print out a map of where you live.

Get To Know Your Location...

When you are starting out, you don't want to be driving hundreds of miles to a remote location that you know very little about, with possibly the wrong kit for that particular environment.

What I like to do, is simply print out a map of the area that I am going to spend my bushcraft time in and keep it in a plastic map case or simple clear plastic folder type pocket (See photo). Or you can produce your own "Minimal Maps"

Having a visual view of your surrounding area, will show you potential spots to explore. You will be surprised what small areas of woodland are reasonably close by, that you can use to practice your skills. Do make sure that the areas you want to explore are not private land.

I have spent several hours/days visiting different areas of woodland near to where I live, just looking for the perfect place to took myself away and practice my skills. Somehwere that I know I can get to within half an hours walk or a few minutes drive.

So, we know what skills we would like to try first and we have an idea of where we are going to go to try these new skills. Now we need some kit... The exciting bit !

Basic Bushcraft Kit... What Do I Need ?

The kit you take with you is all down to the area you are going into, what you intend to do when you get there and the situation you may find yourself in (intended or not).

And also, personal choice. A lot of people favour certain types or brands of kit and that's fine. It's your kit, so you take what you are comfortable using. None of this information is the law, its just a guide.

Well, no matter how much or how little kit you end up with, you are going to need something to carry it all in. So first on the list is a rucksac or pack of some kind. It doesn't need to be a huge 100 litre pack and it doesn't need to cost a fortune.

Rucksack or Pack

If you are just going out for a few hours a small 10 litre (Grab Bag) pack is fine. If you intend to be out for a full day, you may want to consider a larger pack (approx 20-30 litres) which will give you enough space to pack all your essentials.

At this point, I am going to assume you are wearing the appropriate clothing and footwear for the terrain and conditions you are expected to find in the location you are heading for.

The second thing on my list would be a form of shelter, to protect you from the elements. this can be as cheap or expensive as you like. Basically you just need a tarp (sometimes called a basha) of some kind and a means of support, usually a length of paracord and some guylines.

Shelter

If you want to go down the budget route, simply get a cheap 2m square groundsheet, that will cost you a couple of (£) pound. Try to get one that comes with some form of attachment point in the corners (brass eyelets).

Or you could spend a little bit more (£5 - £20) and treat yourself to an ex-army surplus basha, which is just a sheet of waterproof material, approximately a 2.5m square with brass eyelets and webbing fixing points to enable you to string it up in various configurations, using whatever you may have with you or around you.

Ex-army surplus gear is a great way to build up your kit, as you know it is going to serve you well and be of good quality. And if you search around, you get can some good bargains.

You will also need a length of strong string, cord or even better paracord (about 10m should be plenty) to use as a ridge line to hang your basha from. Add some guylines to each corner and you're good to go.

I have listed a couple of basha configuration examples below, that you could use to setup your own shelter...

• Budget Tarp
• Ex-Army Surplus Basha
• New Basha

Ok, so we've got a rucksack or pack, a form of shelter like a basha or cheap groundsheet, some paracord to form a ridgeline and some guylines to create our shelter.

We're under the shelter, keeping dry from the rain and its time for a drink and something to eat.

Food & Water

You are always going to need water, so we need a means of carrying your water. At first a simple drinks bottle that you recently consumed is sufficient. Just rinse it out and fill it up with water. A litre size bottle is going to be just fine, the more robust the better. Eventually you can get a purpose made water bottle, relatively cheaply, like the ones issued to the army or similar.

If you are getting your water from the tap at home, then you can assume it is safe to drink. But if not you are going to need to make sure it is safe. Now I could ramble on in more detail about making your drinking water safe, but for now we are just going to assume the water is debris free and just needs to be boiled.

And to boil your water, you are of course going to need a means of heating your water up. Not only that, if you want a warm meal, which you will if you're out in slightly cooler conditions, you will need some form of stove or cooking system.

Again, the type of stove you chose is dependant on how long you expect to be out for and how many people you are catering for. But for the purposes of getting started, we are going to assume its for yourself and potentially another person.

There are many forms of heating up your food and water, from meths/alcohol, gas canisters and natural materials. But for sheer simplicity I would recommend a form of meths/alcohol burner style stove.

These are easy to use, relatively light and compact and not much can go wrong with them. I recently purchased a Trangia Triangle, which is basically a form of wind shield, with a wire framework that houses a standard Trangia burner. It packs down very small and is lightweight, which makes it ideal for day trips or just a few hours in the woods.

Twinned with a form of billy can to contain your water, will allow you to get a rolling boil within 5-6 mins, ready for a hot cup of coffee or soup... Mmmmmmmm ! You can of course use the same setup for other meals, like noodles, porridge or beans etc. You will of course need a means of lighting the fuel, so a simple box of matches, disposable lighter or what most bushcrafters carry, a firesteel, which will never let you down (even in wet conditions), snap or run out of fuel. I have prepared a video demonstration of the Trangia Triangle and billy can, So FEEL FREE TO WATCH IT HERE

So we know where we are going, we have a means of shelter should the conditions worsen. we have a means of heating up water for a hot drink and meal. And once we have prepared our meal, we can sit down and learn more about bushcraft and survival from one of our chosen reference books.

In addition to these items, I would suggest also carrying the following :

• A first aid kit
• A good pocket knife
• Camera or notebook

Everybody should carry some form of first aid kit, whether it be for an hours walk or a days hike (or overnight camp). And the kit should be tailored to the type of outing you are embarking on. Always keep your first aid kit in the same pocket or place in your rucksack. This way, you will always know where to go for it in an emergencey. And make sure it is somewhere easily accessible.

When you are starting out in bushcraft, you don't need a huge bladed knife, for hacking your way through the undergrowth. You just need a good, reliable pocket knife that maybe has a reasonable sized main blade, a small saw and possibly a can opener. Thats it, you don't need much more. If the knife also has scissors, tweezers etc. great, you never know when they may be required.

But for now, you just need a knife that will allow you to prepare some guyline pegs, cut some rope or string, carry out small cutting jobs etc.


And although, not an essential piece of kit, I think recording your progress (Maybe on your own Youtube channel) or what you have found when out in the woodland, is a great way to learn your craft and build up your knowledge of the great outdoors.

And so for that I always carry a small camera (Plus a tripod... one of those pocket bendy ones is great) and a notebook and pencil). This way, if I spot a species of fungi I don't recognise, I can simply snap a photo and look it up when I get home.

So there we are, I think you are ready to get out there and start exploring your surroundings. But as I said earlier, it's all about enjoying your time in the woodland.

So be prepared, be safe and enjoy yourself !