Recent content by Paul_B

Natural world does better without humans present. True wilderness is special but the UK doesn't really have any. The issue is how should humans use the land. With care and consideration is my answer but there's so many views on what that is. A licence breeds entitlement if my experience of...

Storyyland: A New Mythology of Britain by Amy Jeff's is a secondhand book I've just bought to read. Over the years I've read a lot of ancient Greek mythology, a bit of roman, a bit of Norse, very little old English basically beowulf, a bit of Aztec but very little from our own lands. I've even...

Call first though, it might be a wasted journey. They're into domestic and industrial sector, also deal in used. Family run from the beginning. I think they run courses too. I'm not linked to them just ordered stuff from them for past jobs and they're reliable. Like all things they're...

Try Hobkirks in Blackburn. Very knowledgeable people and the company was probably around when this sewing machine company was still producing! I think they even have a sewing machine museum at one site.

Yes which is why when a load on the down that prevents that loft which traps air happens it will negatively affect insulation performance. What you're doing is turning 900fp down to 600fp or less down in terms of performance. There's another point to make. Sleeping bags are usually the most...

It doesn't just add up though. There's something to take away due to compressed down in your sleeping bag. For example you might have a good 900 plus fill power bag and you put a fleece jacket or a 600fp jacket or a primaloft jacket over the top. You could lose insulation in the down greater...

Agree that it could be useful. We've already started thinking of signs for the family. Also, decent sized branch cut into discs. Then write to each family member non one side and from us on the other. Drill a small hole at the top then coat with a clear varnish and string up for gift tags at...

I got the tool from aldi and what was called wood carving kit is actually a pyrography kit. Not what I wanted but I guess I didn't pay attention prior to buying. Unless the one I picked up to wasn't the same as the original one I saw then it's a wasted item for what I want to try. So now I'm...

It seems to me that there's names for clothing types that have two different meanings. I guess this is about where you come from. For example the classic smock. As a civilian who doesn't but military surplus it a smock is a word for an upper body coat that you put on by pulling over your head...

I stayed in a static caravan end of October once having left my sleeping bag behind. A kayaking trip so we got cold during the day, and it was a very cold October with bad overnight frosts. I had my clothes on and a few coats over the top with one being a down so smock that kept sliding off...

My great aunt lived in a sprawling cottage which got hot water from a raeburn back boiler. This meant the kitchen was very warm all year round and the living / dining room was warm from a fire and central heating radiators from hot water generated by the raeburn back boiler. All other rooms were...

My stick whittling looks just like a barkless pointed stick, not sharp just pointed as i tend to blunted it every knife shave. You should see my knife sharpened pencils, they're awful! If you are aimlessly whittling and still get something recognisable representation of something then I...

At the end of the day if a copper wants to pay you attention and wants to confiscate he/ she will and you'll lose your knife. That's not what the law says but it's possibly what a copper nay choose to do. However that's all dependent on whether a police officer has a reason to notice you and to...

When you're tucked up ready for sleep eat plain, unsalted peanuts. They're high in protein and fats, not necessarily bad ones, that your body uses as energy rich but slow burn fuel. As you're digesting them you gain from a very natural process called thermogenesis. This is where the digestion...

Well said! I think there is a quote from a well known bushcrafter that applies. I can't really remember it but it's something about not carrying so much but having the knowledge instead. Knowledge is the lightest thing to have with you and the best too. Problem solving even common sense too I...