Smokin Monkey

After serious thought and discussion between @Wade and myself, we have had to make the decision to Cancel this years National BBQ Weekend. The Campsite will not be fully operational, with no Toilet and Washing Facilities, so if you do not have your own facilities you can not attend. The Hotel will not be open so people who booked the Hotel can not attend. No Toilets and Washing Facilities means they will not be opening up their Camping Pods. Sorry for the bad news but, let’s make Woodsmoke 21 bigger and better than any before!

Ok folks, just had this back from the venue, not looking good ☹️ “We are planning the campsite from July 4th. But with toilets and showers closed. We will open in the next stage but d not have a date yet. The hotel is unlikely to be open by then, not confirmed Some parts of the site are open now, we plan to open or increase in the coming weeks. Restriction will be different per activity. I suggest you check the website closer to the time. You can roll over if needed.” So no Toilet Facilities means they will be no Pods, and no amenities for tent uses. @Wade has booked hotel room so has @sotv and so has several others.

@Icefever not sure about losing money, have sent a 3rd email off just. Just been on the website, Don’t know if the last part is readable, but it says, The Outdoor Adventure Zone, Campsite, Hotel and Gym remain closed. ☹️☹️☹️

I have just copied and pasted this from the Caravan & Camping Club website. Contactless check in – this will be facilitated by Auto Balance Collect. The balance of any money due for a camper's stay will be taken automatically from the account on the morning of arrival. Vehicle registration details will be taken when a booking is made. When campers arrive on site, they can remain inside their vehicle and a member of the Club's campsite staff will welcome them and show them to their allocated pitch Sensible social distancing – the Club's pitches have six-metre spacing and the number of people on a site with facility blocks will be reduced to help manage demand There will be signs and floor markings as a reminder to keep two metres from other people Where facility blocks are open there will be guidance on how many people the block can accommodate at one time. Campers will also be able to pitch their own toilet tent on their allocated pitch On campsites where facility blocks are open, the Club is asking that, if people are able to use their own facilities in their motorhome, campervan or caravan, they do so as much as possible Only individual bookings are allowed and large groups will be prevented from assembling Campers will not be able to have any day visitors to their pitches Washing-up areas will remain open, but communal areas such as receptions, shops, laundries and play areas will remain closed. Campers need to ensure they bring all their essentials with them, including gas Service points will be open and campers must follow hand-washing guidance, plus campers are being asked to bring their own supplies of soap and hand sanitiser Its the two lines I have underlined that could be the problem.

OK folks, you would of seen on the news yesterday (23rd June) that as of 4th July campsites will be allowed to open, IF they operate Social Distancing Guide Lines? We are booked on Camping pItches next to each other, this is OK, Social Distancing! But, how the hell do we Cook together and Eat together? Also I think sharing food is not allowed at the moment (not sure, so please don’t shoot me). Still no large number of people allowed to gather. I have emailed my contact for the site this morning, and got an auto reply stating “Out Of Office Until Further Notice” I did give me a second contact email, and that came back with virtually the same statement. So don’t know if the site is open/opening? Just one think to point out, the site is owned and run by Nottinghamshire County Council, so they will be VERY Strict on the Guidelines. So the BIG Question is, how do people feel who have booked to attend? Will you be happy to mingle? Happy to share food? Stay on your own Pitch? Eat your own Food? Is it a case of wait and see? Cancel and either book something later (Mid August) or wait and attend the Northern Tailgate mid September, when hopefully things are near Normal! All thoughts and ideas welcome at this stage. Steve

Thank looks great, love a Curry!

Asia infused Ribs?

I will cook!

If it was me, I would go for one of these, Search Smokeless BBQ or Lotus Grill Smokeless Grill you an get them from the range for around £40.00 I think. They are very light to carry, runs on a handful of Charcoal so no big bags of charcoal to carry. It runs of 4 AA batteries that operate a fan in the centre, speed variable, gets up to cooking temperature in about 5 minutes! I have had one for several years, but not really used it, but now it’s my go to BBQ when I want something quick (Steak) or when I am making my YouTube Videos

Got to get some Dino Ribs from Bookers as Swimbo wants me to do some Sticky Chinese Ribs.

Hi Gaza, I know @Icefever is a nice guy, just pulling your leg! We like a bit of banter. We be great to see some of your cooks!

Welcome Gaza, oh dear your a Friend of @Icefever 🤣 Never mind, we won’t hold that against you!

Try a Chicken

Give it a go and see what type of smoke you get off it. If you think it smells more bonfire than flavour, then season it.

Hardwoods (also known as deciduous trees) include fruit and nut woods. Their cell structures are compact, making them ideal for being a smoking wood. Softwoods (evergreen or coniferous trees) include pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, redwood and cypress. These are airy woods that have more sap, making them pungent and fast burning. They're not recommended for cooking. Do you know the source of your wood, has it been treated, sprayed with pesticides etc? I would remove the bark to start. Chipping it? I would cut it in to 75mm chunks, so it will smolder longer.

Keep away for softwoods with a lot of resin. Always allow wood to season, you would not like to smoke your food over a bonfire!

I have made a tandoor oven out of a Beer Keg. Sorry its not a good photo, but cut the top out, cut a 80mm hole near the bottom, you can just see it to the left of the chimney starter. Then i used Vermiculite mixed with cement to line the inside, works really well!

Welcome to the Forum, we are always gentle on the first post 😂😂😂 Hop you enjoy the forum!

Be like one of our Tailgate Weekends then @Icefever

I have (had not sure if they are reopening) a guy who has a stall in our indoor market who sells all types of spices and blends. He is reasonably priced and will package any amount for you. He also will make a blend/rub up if you ask him to.

Sorry to hear of your Lung Condition. This human Melware has totally devastated my Business for this year, Yet I have stuck rigorously to the Lock Down rules, do not think I left my house/garden for 4 weeks at one point. The wife has to work (NHS) so she’s been doing most of the shopping on the way home. The only good thing to come out of this is Boris has payed me to build my home Pub, The Monkey Arms.

Welcome to the Forum, look forward to seeing your cooks.

Try one of those dish mop

Once it’s seasoned it’s seasoned!

They look really good!