Bush Tucker Man (TV, 1988-1990)

Before Ray Mears started doing his bush-craft on British TV, there was Major Les Hiddins of the Australian Army. From 1988 to 1990 Les took British viewers on trips across the wild and ranging outback of Australia, camping in deserts and jungles, eating bugs and berries and making canoes out of bark.

As a young man, Les joined the army and served two tours of duty in Vietnam between 1966 and 1968. Having always had an interest in Australian Aboriginal culture as well as survival techniques used by indigenous peoples around the world he went on to help develop the Australian Army's survival manual printed in 1987 as well as his world famous Snack Maps, maps of the outback with pictures of edible plants and animals printed on the back. In 1988 ABC made the series Bush Tucker Man and brought Les' skills, as well as his natural charisma, to the rest of the world. As an 8 year old child I watched amazed as Lez, in his trademark hat, dug up and ate Witchetty grubs, fat white pupa that he told me tasted of scrambled eggs. I was transfixed as this rough but friendly man drove his Land Rover through rivers, pointing out crocodiles and telling stories of survival against all odds. It made me feel that if there was a plane crash, if my ship sank and all was lost I would make it, I could survive with the knowledge he had imparted! Of course these things don't often come up for a boy living in the heart of one of England's biggest cities but what did that matter... I know I could do it.

This was, and is, a great show. Les' passion for what he does is truly infectious and the exotic nature of the people and places he visits, for anyone outside Australia that is, are a thrill. Much more than just Kangaroos and Didgeridoos.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461719/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_3