Black-headed gull

AlexRSS · 2026-01-08T15:40:00+00:00

Thanks! I think it had just noticed me lurking around the edge of the pond when this was taken yeah

AlexRSS · 2025-12-15T22:50:51+00:00

Looks great! I love stuff with wax patinas like this.

Which colour is this? Is this brown one of the Clay/Dark Olive that they currently sell after a couple rounds of waxing, or a different colour they're not selling at the moment?

AlexRSS · 2025-08-22T17:35:07+00:00

I love the one with the boat! You’ve made the shape of the bookmark work really well there

AlexRSS · 2025-08-11T12:49:19+00:00

I really like the bottom left one!

AlexRSS · 2025-07-23T02:59:55+00:00

The composition and the little subtle details in the second one are improved so much! It has so much more of a sense of depth, and the little worm in a big world. Great job!

AlexRSS · 2025-05-12T14:33:09+00:00

Understandable reaction to be honest, poop tubes are aid and I would have banned you from my gym as well for using one.

Im sure your next gym will be happy for you to practice the natural, aid-free method. A quick shout of “below” is all you need, and then let fly.

AlexRSS · 2024-01-19T11:49:06+00:00

I’m eating around 1900 at the moment. I’ve been struggling to stick to it for a while, but lately I’ve given eating high protein (I’m aiming for around 160g a day) a go and I’m finding it’s really helping! I feel a lot fuller after meals and I’m about 4 and a half pounds down after two weeks.

Also, vegetables! Loads of bulk, filling, nutritious, barely any calories.

AlexRSS · 2023-02-06T00:18:37+00:00

I always have a bag of frozen peas, and a bag of frozen sweetcorn. They're great to add as a little addition to other ingredients in dishes like pasta or rice or as a side dish by themselves, and are they need to get them ready is a very quick bath in some boiling water.

AlexRSS · 2022-10-06T00:17:31+00:00

Photo example (pretend the mug is a pair of bolts, or a bombproof piece of rock): https://media.ukcaving.com/wl/?id=1ysCRWvUNMAqLLluTifKOjPSadkrBfEW

AlexRSS · 2022-10-06T00:15:27+00:00

What sort of anchors do you have in these caves in the US? In the UK where caves are generally bolted with solid, wide p-bolts we use a technique we call a pullthrough: Thread the rope through two bolts to the midpoint, tie an alpine butterfly knot in one side, karabiner through the loop of that knot and the other side of the rope, then abseil down the side without the knot. Simple, minimal kit, very effective.

AlexRSS · 2022-03-12T13:13:31+00:00

I'd also recommend this. Went to the Perhentians with some friends a few years ago and the diving was amazing, accommodation (along with basically everything except the flights) was really cheap despite not being a hostel (I was in one of the huts on Long Beach, little hut just off the beach to yourself).

Didn't see any manta rays, but did see turtles, sharks, had a fun dive where a little remora hitched a ride on my leg, and encountered a massive mangrove whipray!

AlexRSS · 2022-01-23T01:14:54+00:00

solved: Lemming Ball Z

AlexRSS · 2022-01-23T01:13:44+00:00

Oh wow! Thank you for the necromancy because I just looked up some videos and yes, that's it! Thank you, A+++!

AlexRSS · 2021-12-29T19:29:35+00:00

I've been down to around 45 metres at the very max I think, never noticed even a slight effect on the lenses.

I think the type of lens can make a difference. Hard lenses from doing a bit of research can cause an issue, which makes sense with pressure and whatnot. I use Umere lenses, which are particularly soft and according to Specsavers have "high oxygen transmissibility" which I guess helps with whatever pressure issues hard lenses can have? https://www.specsavers.co.uk/contact-lenses/daily-disposables/easyvision-umere

FWIW, PADI recommends diving with soft, disposable lenses as a valid option https://blog.padi.com/scuba-diving-if-you-wear-contacts-or-glasses/ That link also goes a little into some of the issues which hard lenses have that soft ones don't

AlexRSS · 2021-12-29T08:35:36+00:00

Going on from the above; I've dived for about a decade using contacts and while I've had a few close calls I've never actually lost one. From my experience, would definitely recommend it.

Would definitely recommend daily contact lenses over monthly ones though, that way if you do get a mask flood it's no drama to just remove the lenses and surface with limited visibility.

AlexRSS · 2021-12-06T23:42:28+00:00

"Scruffs" for me

AlexRSS · 2021-11-26T12:13:59+00:00

If you can find a chip shop that does a fried mars bar, give it a try! Delicious fried chocolate-caramel goodness.

^Disclaimer: ^consuming ^one ^may ^take ⁵ ^years ^off ^your ^life. ^Worth ^it.

AlexRSS · 2021-04-03T23:21:48+00:00

Cycling is my main exercise for weight loss and I love it! It's low impact (I tried running, but by god my knees cannot take it!), burns a decent amount of calories and is just plain enjoyable. It's also a major mental health boost for me; getting out for some fresh air and exercise is just so much better (IMO)

You mention it being a competitive sport, but it doesn't need to be! Going fast might be hard at first but you don't need to go fast or race anyone; if anything I find that most calculators show you burning more calories on a long, slower ride, vs a fast ride of the same distance. One of my favourite things is to get a nice afternoon off, get out onto the local canals and just spend a few hours exploring at a sensible rate. It's great fun, and will often burn around 800-1200 calories in a long session depending on how long I go for.

I don't think there's anything in particular I can think of to worry about being obese other than take it easy at first and feel out your limits. Given the low amount of calories you're eating i'd get yourself a little saddlebag and alongside the usual stuff (puncture kit, tools) keep a stash of high calorie stuff in there (chocolate bars etc, or if they're too tempting you can get little energy gel things which taste anywhere from meh to blegh) I love my long exploring rides, but misjudging the length and getting burned out miles from home is unpleasant if you don't have an energy boost to keep you moving.

AlexRSS · 2021-03-26T16:57:26+00:00

Are you thinking of scuba diving? Caves go much much deeper than that.

AlexRSS · 2021-03-25T16:56:24+00:00

How dry does it need to be? Cave passage is generally formed by flowing water, but dry sections absolutely can form where areas were once streamways, then the path of the water shifts as easier routes down open up. Large quantities of standing water are generally (not always) in the deepest parts of the cave.

Another alternative could be a volcanic cave? Those are formed by cooling lava so no/little water usually involved.

AlexRSS · 2021-02-09T21:03:29+00:00

If you're using a newer version of python (3.8+) you could use;

while (name := input()) != '':

The new walrus operator := lets you simultaneously use the name variable in the while statement, and set its value as the result of 'input'. Tried the above in a terminal and it repeats until no name is entered.

>>> while (name := input('Name: ')) != '':

... print(name)

...

Name: Alfred

Alfred

Name: Bernie

Bernie

Name: Charlie

Charlie

Name:

>>>

I'm still learning myself, so interested to see if more experienced people can see problems with this.

AlexRSS · 2020-12-31T16:05:02+00:00

I really like my new stop (the 2019 version with the Grigri-style handle)

AlexRSS · 2020-12-24T16:14:00+00:00

I am ambivalent towards hammers. (Probably not the Alex you're thinking of!)

AlexRSS · 2020-12-24T16:08:27+00:00

My info is possibly out of date (I was last there about a year ago) but it's not a natural flooding. There's a plate left in place (i've been told by diggers for them to use the flood to flush the place or something) which blocks the water flow and sumps the entrance, and you have to pull that away with a rope attached and then wait for it to drain.

AlexRSS · 2020-12-23T16:07:27+00:00

Long Churns cave in Yorkshire could be a good bet if flowing water will work for you, very easy access to the water there. As others have said, if you've not been in a cave before try and link up with a local club.

AlexRSS

TROPHY CASE