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I do not think we should discuss catching animals - this site is viewed by many folk and the information could be used in ways we would not like.

Find the star constellation called the southern cross and draw an imaginary line through the "tip and bottom of the cross" stars. Then find the two pointer stars nearby. Draw an imaginary line perpendicular to the line joining the two pointers. At the point where this line intersects with the first imaginary line drop a line down to the horizon. This is South. Turn 180 degress and you are facing north.

Phew, that was harder to explain then first thought

Rangerboy_Mkuze

Sorry. Got delayed.

Yeah using the Southern Cross and turning around could work, provided you turn round 180, if you turn only 160 - problem.

But there is a way to double check with the belt and sword hilt of Orion, make an arrow. Using the sowrd hilt as the base of the arrow extend a line through the centre star on the bottom of the belt and continue it down to a horizontal horizon, where it touches is true north.

EcoJ - Agree, there can be some really stupid/ mean/ nasty people out there, I'll have to keep my powers for good and not let them be used for evil.

Thanks RM, forgot about that one!

Let's get back to plants a bit again.

You're out walking in the bush. Just a casual walk, no medicines, emergency case, nothing close by, and you're a ways from the car (where there's nothing either), and quite a distance from a doctor or anybody who can help.

Suddenly, brushing past some bushes to get a closer look at a special bird ( no-no, the feathery flying kind...), you start itching like mad. Looking around you realise that you've brushed right through a whole bunch of stinging nettle, and you're now experiencing first-hand where they get their name from.

You start looking around for a specific plant, as you know that will help you get rid of this itch!

What are you looking for, and why?

Caveat. I know of one remedy, and I would really assume people like EJ and RM, who's done field training and such, will know more. And I really like them to share it with us. I grew up in the bushveld and knew, without ever getting stung, to stay away from stinging nettle. Sometimes I learn from others' mistakes.

Late last year we were out for a weekend bush camp with some kids and they didn't know and we, not realising that there were any around, didn't warn them either. About four or five of them came in, all red, itching and swelling all over. One of the other adults, a qualified PH, immediately knew what to look for and how to use it.

I can't remember the name but I know what it looks like. And when you on the coast ou can find a simalar thing on the dunes.

I also think I know. Cant think of the name right now, something like "Devil's Thorn"?? It grows like a creeper, but horizontally along the ground. If you pick the leaves and squash them in your hands, and add a little water (or if you dont have water, maybe your saliva will work), and this makes like a soapy substance to rub on the areas that are itching and swelling.

If this is the wrong thing for the nettle, its still makes a great soap to wash with!!!

hello??

The one I have is the plain common aloe. Take a leaf and cut it crosswise in thinnish slices. Use that to smear over the affected area. The little thorns come out, and the sap also helps with the irritation and swelling and in no time everything is fine again, and the lessons learned.

@Anthony, I don't know about the devil's thorn (Emex australis, Tribulus spp. - Afrikaans = dubbeltjie/duwweltjie) being used for this, but I have read about it being handy as soap. I'm not going to walk into some nettle to see if this soap will also work for that - won't don't you experiment and tell us?

Alternatively you could stung by nettles on a regular basis and your body builds up an immunity to it.

Just watch out for Albetia tennax (not sure on speling) cause blisters.

I also came upwith Aloe ferox but I am sure that most Aloes would prove usefull. I have seen my staff wee in a cut and then coat the cut with aloe sap to close it.

RM

I'll pass on the immunity thing!

I don't find "Albetia tennax" on Google - so as you say maybe misspelled. What is it? One of the aloe species?

When I said "the common aloe" I basically just meant the aloe, any one of them, not a specific species. Are you saying I'm wrong and there's one, or more, that one needs to stay away from?

Interesting, using the aloe sap to close a cut. The wee'ing in it I can understand, to clean it of impurities. I've also heard that superglue works quite nicely to close a cut when you're out in the veldt - and have it available of course.

I think il give the experiment a skip...

Obetia tenax www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/obe-ten-sub.asp

You can also use certain lady products to plug gun shot wounds.

still can't remember the plant The bugger is, out of all the books I own, I never bought one on smaller plants or flowers.

While we wait...
...what tree can you make coffee from? BUT you must also be able to make poridge from it to go with your coffee? (Umphafa)

I have left a hint on the page but you guys shouldn't need it.

Oh, you mean the nettle itself. Yes, can be a nasty thing.

On the coffee/porridge. Not sure of the English name, will have to look in the books. Is it the Witgat you're speaking about? No idea HOW to do it though

Don't know about the Witgat, maybe it is another one, let me kno when you can track down anthoer name for it.

But alas it is not the one I was looking for.