For winter I use Grubs neoprene lined ones, but for the rest of the year I have these Aigle short wellies. Used for dogs walks for a good few years now and still going strong.

https://www.wellywarehouse.co.uk/aigle-parcours-2-bottillon-kaki?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rMx8toO4hOke-R5PV_i_0s6bJV2n0CVytk_2kV_zt4Fpo7zqcehMDhoC7XAQAvD_BwE

Edit: Just noticed the wellies comment.

Nope thankfully as I spend a lot of time on semi submersible drilling rigs. Currently decommissioning lots of subsea infrastructure and pulling it back to surface.

I’ve never really been onboard with the leather isn’t for water thing, it’s not like it’s not used in other products which are designed for harsh treatment in wet conditions – walking boots etc.

It looks a bit weird but only because it’s not the norm and the only reason it’s not the norm is because… reasons?

I really don’t like Divers on leather because it isn’t the best product for the job on a tool watch. Using the leather boots analogy, they generally need a lot of work to keep them fit for purpose. Synthetic not so much.

A tropic on a diver always looks good.

That said, it’s a free world and I don’t get hung up on whatever others happen to like.

Gravel ride from Dunkeld and it didn’t rain.

If he is outdoorsy, Muddy Matches is good. Tinder/PoF etc are a bombscare.

I went through similar when my dad died. I’m sure that as I was executor, it was easy enough. It was one of the few dealings I’ve had with Dvla which was positive.

As pointed out numerous times, Uniqlo Japanese selvedge denim jeans for £35/pair are as good, if not better than jeans costing well north of £100, if not more.

Kaihara denim is decent, but the last time I looked, they were produced in Bangladesh and Uniqlo has questionable history of forced labour practices.

Good denim (selvedge).

Good wellies (Aigle and Grubs, La Chemaux didn’t last me particularly well).

Good walking boots that are worth a re-sole.

Good shoes/boots. Redwing or Fracap that can be re-soled. Like a Loake dress boot.

Watches.

@catfood I’ve never used Yobokies but he is well thought of. Namoki has always been good quality for me, but I have always stuck to crystaltimes for er, crystals.

Hope it goes well.

I’ve done about eight watches from scratch, mostly divers. A decent crystal press and tools will help no end.

The process of putting the watch together isn’t overly difficult. It’s more the sourcing of decent parts as tolerances can be quite small.

Take your time and if you feel like you are rushing, step away and go back to it later.

I hope you bought a spare, spare second hand 😁

steam rooms tend not to have a vapour that contain tens of chemicals that are marked poisonous when ingested!

You sure about that? This is from Steam Room Eucalyptus:

Hazard Statements

H226 Flammable liquid and vapour

H303 May be harmful if swallowed

H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways

H315 Causes skin irritation

H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction

H401 Toxic to aquatic life

H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary Statements

P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.

P273 Avoid release to the environment.

P280 Wear protective gloves and eye protection

P301+P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTRE.

P331 Do NOT induce vomiting.

P391 Collect spillage.

2.3 Other Hazards

Contains Limonene which may produce an allergic reaction

Have you heard of popcorn lung?

Yes, I have. See below which is from gov.uk and NHS websites.

MYTH 1 –  E-cigarettes give you ‘popcorn lung’
One of the most commonly held concerns is that e-cigarettes might cause ‘popcorn lung’. This came about because some flavourings used in e-liquids to provide a buttery flavour contain the chemical diacetyl, which at very high levels of exposure has been associated with the serious lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans.

The condition gained its popular name because it was initially observed among workers in a popcorn factory.

However, diacetyl is banned as an ingredient from e-cigarettes and e-liquids in the UK. It had been detected in some e-liquid flavourings in the past, but at levels hundreds of times lower than in cigarette smoke. Even at these levels, smoking is not a major risk factor for this rare disease.

They aren’t for me. I enjoy having to work for the enjoyment of cycling. 

I do like seeing older people who wouldn’t otherwise get the enjoyment out of cycling using them however. 

40km gravel bike ride on the coast. Blue sky for the most and not a drop of wind.

Don’t be fooled by the first few weeks as they are often in shut down mode and their true character only emerges later on

Very much this. I have fostered (no issues at all – it wasn’t a problem dog) and have rehomed the current two.

It’s not a hard and fast thing, but the 3:3:3 rule is a good yardstick. 3 days to get over the travel, 3 weeks to learn your routine and 3 months to truly feel at home. Worth considering if the foster will be short term. 

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A from the door gravel pootle which I enjoyed despite the wind!

I’ve been in a similar situation. I was offered and accepted a more senior role within the same organisation in September. I finally start new role on Monday. Current boss did not want me to leave his dept. It took me getting HR involved as there was a financial implication for me the longer it dragged on. Finally, we agreed the list of tasks I had to complete and once done, I move.

I asked my Vet and the manufacturer of the dog food this very question. The concensus from both was once opened, around six weeks is the longest storeage time.

I buy 10k bags but with four hounds that’s done way before six weeks. 

I have four dogs (three spaniels and a terrier). They all get along just fine, but i also don’t think any of them would mind being a solo dog.

I love having multiple dogs, but life these days is pretty much geared around the dogs.

As mentioned earlier, getting someone to pet sit a solo dog is much easier than someone being willing to sit multiple dogs.

Firstly they don’t use ptfe any more

I read an article about this recently. AFAIR, Patagonia and ME are using the new EPE in some items with Gore’s expectation that other licencees move over by next year.

I’ll generally wear Paramo gear for your average day in the Scottish hills, but if the forecast is for consistent rain i will wear my Gore Pro shell and salopettes (or Jottnar Skjoldr). The only time i’ve ever had dampness inside the shell has been through my own sweat. That would include 10+ hours in stinking rain and wind.

But Gore does stop manufacturers from using non Gore membranes in their flagship, most expensive products. If they do, the licence to use Gore is pulled.

Do North Face not market Futurelight as the flagship and still use Gore Tex?

are you forced to take drug tests under threat of disciplinary and gross misconduct if you refuse? No

I am (oil and gas industry). In fact the nurse conducted a random 10 point substance test on all office staff a few weeks ago. Failure to take the test would be seen as gross misconduct. I’m also subject to a three yearly test as part of medical.

Can anyone recommend a good independent Omega watchmaker?

Calibre Watch Repair. Have done some work for me and others on here.

I have put a watch to Omega for servicing and on top of cost, it was with them for a very long time.

Edit: beaten to it!

I really like the Rudy on my gravel bike but it’s very different to a SID. The Rudy just quietly gets on with soaking up a bit of trail chatter/vibration. I was getting sore wrists after long days on a rigid gravel bike and the Rudy alleviated that. They are not particularly noticeable when climbing either.

If bike packing is a consideration, I have mounted cages on the Rudy.

I’ve never had an issue with Garmin straps. Suunto straps are comfier though.

Would love an Animal strap from BITD.

Otherwise say goodbye to it; you’ll never get the down to separate by air drying it imo.

I haven’t bothered with tumble drying for years. As long as it’s laid flat and agitated plenty as it drys, the loft returns as good as new. Keeping the down clean and free from oils is more important IMO. I’m wearing an £800 down jacket today that I thought nothing about putting through the machine a couple of weeks ago. It’s loftier than a lofty thing.

Just wash with a down specific cleaner. I washed two of mine last night on a down cycle in the machine. Lay it flat to dry and give it a few shakes to let the down loft as it drys.

One for those living with spaniels – do you clip or trim their ears, and if so, how?

Groomer takes the ears in relatively short twice a year then regular brushing and a rake with a Mars Coat King once a week for maintenance.

Dogs are ace indeed!

My squad:

I’ve never worked anywhere (private sector) which had a specific redundancy “policy”. Details of redundancy information is either in contract T&C’s (where they may differ by role) or in an employee handbook (if it’s blanket across the board).

I don’t think there has been a crane collapse in over ten years in the UK.

Not tower cranes, but I have personal experience of three uncontrolled boom collapses in the past three or so years and know of more (all in the public domain).

I operated offshore cranes a long time ago. Quite the experience when you are pitching and rolling and the deck you are landing/lifting loads on is too!

I have a C17 carved on a gravel bike. I never think about my saddle, so I think that means it’s a good saddle.

Yesterday was gotcha day for me and this handsome fella. All going well so far with the other spaniels and the Cairn Terrier 😁

What if you don’t own a tumble dryer ?

A blast with a hair dryer.

I have a few bits and it’s decent, but I’d echo the comments about sizing down.

I use Storm Care wash and proofer. It’s recommended by lots of brands and is not so environmentally nasty. Unless my clothes are filthy, I tend to hand wash them.

I posted earlier on about my wee Terrier, but I do get the spaniel love. The other half’s spaniels are cracking dogs. Needier than a terrier, but very loving.

I’ve got a Cairn Terrier and she’s an ace dog. Will happily settle for a quick spin round the block and is also happy spending a weekend up the hills. Never fusses with other dogs and was successfully introduced to my partner’s cats at seven years old.