I found a flint and, I believe, a suitable stone to make sparks. I get sparks when I hit the flint with the stone but sparks are not big and burn out quickly, I would say before they leave the surface of the flint. I guess I cannot make hotter longer burning sparks using only my flint and my stone therefore I believe I need to find a proper natural easy to burn tinder.
What should I use? Preferably it should be something easy to find in nature (I live in the UK), but for the beginning I guess anything will do. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find Cramp Balls / King Alfred's Cakes in the area I live so it becomes a bit difficult to find a tinder.
And any suggestions on the technique of catching sparks - as I said previously, they burn out before they leave the surface of the flint. How can I hold the tinder closer to the flint's striking area and avoid messing with the striking stone?
Thanks,