Yet this time, a rather astute young girl pointed out the obvious.
'But they're all men!'
An interesting comment in itself given the young and impressionable age of the commentator, however, the accompanying adults responses were possibly more so. Cheers from the men and dismissive excuses from the women as having far more important things to do than play around in the woods.
Chatting in the office afterwards we were discussing what other occupations and roles do we associate males with as being the best? Name a famous male artist or chef or scientist or hairdresser. Now name a famous female one for the same categories. I bet it takes you longer!
This led me to consider my occupation. I'm a youth worker, and yes, I know many youth workers both male and female, but I do this through teaching young people about coppicing, woodland management, bushcraft and survival. Try the above question again - name a male bushcraft / survival expert and now name a female one?
Recently I attended the Bushcraft Show, an informative and fun weekend of bushcraft stalls, talks and workshops, the majority of which, if not all were delivered by men.
I'm definitely not claiming to be an expert at what I do - I still refer to the trees on site as the native ones and the posh ones (I work in an arboretum), and neither love nor money would convince me to spend weeks eating snakes and grubs in the jungle (a. I'm a vegetarian and b. I have a phobia of worms and maggoty things), but I know there are women out there who are experts I their field yet it's the men that receive the recognition.
Why is this I wonder?
As I said, I'm no expert, but I hope, as I learn, I can pass on some of my knowledge to others through this page.
So - please keep reading.
