Assuming we are on a bike site, and you have a bike. Would you import your bike with no knowledge of the warranties / guarantee’s and not supporting your LBS or would you buy local or at the very least national. The same goes for your camera.

Comet 451 had a very busy day today. Do you think the crew got dizzy?

Interesting post. Obviously Halfrauds is popular, but what’s best Facom or Wera??? ………I’d go Wera, but I suspect those in the ‘know’ prefer Facom!

Witterings, its the midsize Bonfire. We got it from Tamarack. Sat on a couple of bricks to prevent the heat damaging the flags.
The stove looks just about new, even after a couple of dozen fire ups. The marks on the side are the sole of my approach shoe!!
No smoke!

Christmas Eve:

Yes, we have a Solo stove, we bought it last summer, as our existing fire pit smoked too much.
The Solo does create smoke as it warms up. The drier the wood the hotter it gets and the quicker it heats. Once up to temp (about 10 / 15 mins) then the smoke just seems to disappear.
A lot of heat does go vertically, but it also radiates a considerable amount. We spent many a happy night huddled around it last summer, and enjoyed our Christmas evening enjoying the fire.
The naysayers point out the similarities to a washing machine drum. That may be so, but I’ve never lit a fire in a washing machine!
Yes, they’re expensive, but they work well and look great. Would I buy another? Most certainly!

I need sleep.

The Hawker Hunter was regularly flying loops around Spadeadam a couple of weeks ago. It regularly deviated a little so I could just about see and hear it from home. No other fast jets in the area. Would love to know what it was doing.

My Attelier Slash kite.
Not been able to go to the beach during this latest lockdown, but the nearby football field is OK.
Nice addition to the rest of my kite fleet!

For decades I wore some form of approach shoe, I’ve tried loads of different brands, some better than others. None of them have ever been truly waterproof and none have ever been so comfortable I could have said they ‘fit me like a glove’
Then towards the end of last year I saw pages on this site where Blundstone ‘Blunnies’ got mentioned. I bought a pair, what an absolute revelation!
So comfy they ‘fit me like a glove’, just about waterproof, provide plenty of grip (more than most approach shoes) and with a bit of polish look smart enough for most lock down occasions.
I’m converted!

I’m 61, and just got back after 18 months off due to a cartilage op. I think I’m not too far from where I used to be, maybe a bit slower, and certainly slower than when I was 31 or 41 but my attitude now is ‘who cares”!!……..I run for me not anyone else and I probably run further and faster than 95% of the UK population. I’ve never won a race and never will. If I knock a couple of seconds off yesterdays 10K then happy days. If I don’t then I might tomorrow!…………Its pouring with rain here at the moment and I’m off out now for my run!

Thanks guys.

Just don’t believe any of the Garmin metrics. On checking my Fenix 6 I often find it showing that I went to sleep and entered ‘deep sleep’ whilst sat in the evening watching the TV. It then shows I ‘wake up’ when I get up to go to bed then immediately shows sleep again whilst reading. Its all nonsense.
Likewise my average Pulse Ox is 93%. I was worried at this (though not really). It often shows me at 89%. Coincidently I was in hospital last week having checkups re an unrelated matter. They checked my Pulse Ox at 100%. My watch at the same time was sat at 91%.
Garmin is good for GPS and a stop watch, but to be honest I don’t believe anything else.
I’m not replacing it!!

The bastard who has driven out to the lane near our house and dumped his old sofa, cushions and other assorted debris into the verge, hedge and dyke. Scum.

Gillian, Beaver Lady is wearing a brilliant orange OTH waterproof. Mrs YP is rather taken by it. I just can’t make out the brand logo. Anyone any ideas?

There’s as many opinions on which tools to buy as there are opinions on which bike to buy. That said a good browse of the Axminstertools.com website should give you a few comparison options.
To be honest, there are a couple of good antique / junk shops around here that sell loads of used, secondhand tools. I’ve bought loads from them, planes, chisels, drivers, drill bits. They all look old, but when properly sharpened they are quality bits of kit and sell for next to nothing prices.

http://www.corporatespec.com We decided last Sunday, that we were both fed up with the hard dining chairs we were using in our home office. research led me to CorporateSpec, I mailed a query and at 6.00pm on Sunday night they responded within minutes, answered my questions. We ordered 2 refurbished / used chairs at more than half retail price.
They arrived perfectly packaged on Tuesday morning via DHL.
Absolutely no problem with them, the chairs are mark and scratch free, the only way you can tell they’ve been used is the yellow casters have a bit of dirt but no wear on them. I suspect looking at them they’ve been used on grey carpet tiles!!
So, no issues for us. Two good looking chairs and a load of unused cash, what’s there not to like!!

@hooli – no problem with warping, I used recycled boards, so I guess they were fairly dry. After joining them I put offcuts at either end doweled to each board for their full width. It’s been made a couple of years now. A bit agricultural, (which suits our house) but does a great job.

Scaffolding planks here. Edges cut straight and joined, sanded smooth then Osmo. I left the metal end pieces on, and the stamped in name of the manufacturer gives it character.
Sat atop 2 Ikea trestles. It’s about 3ft deep and 7ft long, so there’s plenty of space.
Not much effort to make, looks good and cheap.

Fantastic episode, up there with one of the very best. Good luck and best wishes to both of them.
My only question was over the ‘dead’ oak tree, that went onto make the table, and stairs.
Does a felled tree not require a process of drying over a considerable period before being used in what is in effect ‘fine furniture’. Correct me please but won’t it split and crack as it dries in the warm house environment?

Try Silvermans…….. They appear to have a lot of stock, I was about to get a Special 6 from them until I saw that Needlesport, had few left, including just what I needed. So I ordered from them as they’re local to me.

https://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/products/rucksacks-bags/

Made up in Staveley, Cumbria. A small enterprise making quality gear locally. I have one of their 35l sacks and its superb.
They’re more than happy to adapt their models to your requirements.

Local Primary Schools are closing in North Cumbria, not just because of the Unions, but because the data is showing the dangers of meeting in large groups and the vast increase in cases.

The County Council and the Local Director of Public Health wrote to the DfE requesting that permission be granted for school closures. The DfE refused this request; with figures rapidly heading towards the 1000 mark, they considered schools were a safe place to be for children and staff.

Heads and Governors have made their own decision, backed by the County Executive, Leader of the County Council and the Director of PH. Schools will be closed so to give a bit of a ‘fire break’ and perhaps try and get numbers down.

The Guardian phone app. Its the most clunky non user friendly piece of software I’ve ever had the displeasure to use. Eventually when you navigate to a News screen then you get yesterday’s news.
Much as though I support their journalism, and have every expectation that you should pay for what you use, I have no intention of renewing my subscription.

http://www.mcnairshirts.com Certainly not cheap but it is superb clothing, and they’re brilliant to deal with. Based in Slaithwaite nr Huddersfield.

I’ve had RAB, it’s okay, but as everyone else says Arc’teryx is better.
I also have a Jottnar jacket (not the Fenrir).
As you notice the difference between Arc’teryx and RAB, then you are going another step up with Jottnar.
I suspect my jacket will outlast me!
The seams, general quality and fit are all great.
Though I think they are assembled in China, the company is British.
If I needed another insulated jacket, then I’d save up a few extra quid and buy another Jottnar.

Flew right over me whilst driving home this afternoon, had no idea what it was, I had to pull in and check. Too high and by the time I’d stopped too far away for a phone photo.

Built earlier in the year, and before anything started growing. 3×2 with three coats of Sadolin.

Does a shed need windows? Does your bike or lawnmower need to see anything??? No windows equal higher security!
Having bought a new shed last year it was suggested I spend more on the roof. Felt starts to deteriorate the moment its laid down. I got what is known locally as a Steadmans roof (after Steadmans the local manufacturer). Basically it is what agricultural building are roofed and clad in. Its sturdy and consequently makes the shed more sturdy. Looks good too.

Yes, did it a couple of years ago whilst in goal at kids 5 a side. Initially after examination at the local hospital they strapped it up, but the pain was incessant, and made worse by knocking it. I went to a minor injuries unit at a major hospital, where after an x ray confirmed a strain rather than a break I was put in plaster.
Though the cast was a PITA, actually it made life a lot easier.
It came off after about a month.
It took about another 6 months for the aches and full movement began to return.
Good luck!!

I have absolutely no idea what you guys are talking about?!?!?………….
Couple of questions:
I assume you’re not making a nuclear weapon, so what are you trying to make in layman’s terms?
Could you not just super glue the two pieces together?

Three tankers also coming into Mildenhall having been into the Atlantic in the same location as the 747 E-4!!

Is Trump starting his pre election shitstorm?? The three tankers are over the French coast near Marsailles followed not too far behind by a 747 E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, all on the same bearing. God help us!!!

I got an Excel GR and Mrs YP an Etape earlier in the year. (My big birthday and no big holiday so we bought bikes instead!).
We got them from Prologue in Harrogate who were superb.
My Excel is awesome, I ride primarily on roads rather than gravel or trails and I find it is so much fun to ride.
I’ve had steel, aluminium and lately carbon fibre road bikes, all have been ok and I’ve enjoyed them but nothing has even matched the comfort, pleasure and speed of the Excel has given me.
Since I got the bike in July I’m 1800 miles in (a greater distance in 3 months than any other bike I’ve had). During those miles it has been absolutely faultless.
Not that I’ve ridden it, but the Etape produces a similar endorphin rush for my wife.
I can’t speak for dealings with Enigma themselves, but wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the team at Prologue who after much discussion specced mine and Mrs Yp’s to perfection.
I doubt I’ll ever need another bike (I’m 60) but I’d certainly look at Enigma again.

My Lab used to do it too, sheep poo, cow poo, any sort of poo. I mentioned it to the vet when he was there for his jabs. The response was: “You eat brie cheese, it the same thing”!!

McNair for me too, got two, but not for riding. (perhaps horses but not pedal bikes)

WestWing series 2 finale: Two Cathedrals. My favourite piece of TV drama with a stunning soundtrack.

Seriously, I’d spend it locally, in a small family run business, buying something that was manufactured in the UK.
I seriously doubt that we’ll get the £500, its bait for the Daily Fail readers, but if we did, then I strongly believe we should support the U.K. economy.

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Thank you for the advice. Particularly Palmer 77. I contacted Toby Platts on Friday and had this fantastic Voyager knife delivered today. Am very content.

Thanks for all the info guys. The Caasstrom knifes are on websites but virtually no one has any stock. I think I’ll ditch the Fallkniven idea, there are plenty of good alternatives as available, and I’m actually going to Tamarack tomorrow to pick up a Solo stove, so I’ll chat with them.

Have been watching this live. Yes it looks boring, but what are they doing? Constantly tapping the screens?
Are they just ‘seeing what this one does’? If I change this we’ll go faster? If I switch this we can listen to Popmaster?
If it were me I’d just sit there and let those in Head Office fiddle with the controls!!!!