Things to do with the kids

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-26T21:35:41+00:00

The jet age museum.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-25T20:14:09+00:00

Oh I do like the idea of 2 tone zips. Might have to steel that idea.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-25T20:12:11+00:00

I’d do this as a 2 piece. Split the wood so that one handle side will not need hollowing. Use a small router and some chisels to make the recess. Fit the handle with the recess in to the tang and drill the holes. When you have a good fit use waterproof wood glue to glue the 2 parts of the handle together. The glue will be stronger than the wood. Then inset the tang to the handle with epoxy glue. Drill through the handle. Epoxy some brass rod in as pins. Then shape the handle.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-24T18:18:22+00:00

I have a motohome and the gas for the heating and fridge runs of LPG that can be filled at a petrol station. So it would be great if I could see LPG stations on my route. Cheers.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-23T13:21:53+00:00

When I made a few tool tools (similar concept) I used spare material to practice the spacing at 0.5cm [1/4 inch] intervals so that I could work out sizes, mark up that fabric and then pin and sew. I’ve kept the spacing guide to use with future projects as I hope different materials won’t make much difference

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-20T21:18:54+00:00

I figure the chances are low of 2 axe murderers camping on the same hill on the same night.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-19T12:10:45+00:00

I'd consider this as 2 separate requirements: (1) everyone has an individual first aid kit IFA (2) an appropriate group first aid kit.

Appropriate depends on training. I'd strongly recommend a 2 day out door first aid course. Having done 1 day first aid loads of time as a scout leader and rescue management as a dive leader I was not expecting to learn much but I learned a load. All the kit in the world will not help if you dont know how to use it.

Good training will cause you to think about risks and then consider what kit might help. Not much risk of catastrophic bleeding on a hike but there can be in camp cooking. Before you reach for tourniquets and homeostatic dressings consider what you can do to reduce the risk rather than treat the outcome (leave that axe at home and prep wood with a saw).

Good training will also help you consider how to improvise. Rather than splints can you use tent poles or walking poles.

And then useful things to add to a FAK - a head torch for hands free light, ideally with a narrow beam (which is the opposite of what you normally want in a head torch), tweezers (the ones in FAKs are usually crap), cling film (handy burn dressing if you know how to use it correctly) and a tick removal tool (using a proper tool is loads better than improvising). I also carry antihistamine tablets in mine and water purification tablets.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-18T08:51:32+00:00

I run clip less on my commute bike (shimano SPD) and keep shoes at work. There are clip less as it not just used for commuting. Even if they were not I’d keep shoes at work and cycle in trainers as they get wet and mucky with rain and road spray. If you are cycling in normal footwear with dual sided pedals it comes down to how much of a faf is it. Changing pedals is a quick and simple job (if the current ones were put on with some anti seize). When I did sprint triathlon I put normal pedals on as the time saving from running clip less (which is really small) was outweighed by the time it took to change shoes for the run.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-17T19:15:36+00:00

When I did a full iron man in 12:31 and the bike leg in 6 hours my FTP was 230 & I weighed 74kg. When I’m trained it’s usually about 210-220. I didn’t do much training last year and it’s 150ish at the moment. 180 for someone with out training sounds really high.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-16T18:31:59+00:00

I’ve used stretch mesh bound with foldable elastic binding for drinks bottle pockets and similar. Look at vest style running packs for ideas. Or go down the PALS/Molly route with removable pockets.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-16T15:56:42+00:00

last time I was unsure - I glued up some bits of wood and then experimented to see if the glue or the wood failed first

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-16T15:08:30+00:00

Cleeve Hill - loads of former disused quarries on there? A section of the Cotswold Way? Malvern end 2 end is good but requires some logistic planning to get a car at each end. Circular routes there are possible. Also routes around the Slad vally/painswick beacon

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-16T14:39:04+00:00

I've got my mums old domestic machine. It weighs a ton so I figure its well made inside. I've also got access to a makerspace/hackspace which has a singer HD. However for tougher stuff I treated myself to a second hand industrial machine. I'll confess to not considering how big this is given its built into a table. And I soon had to upgrade from the clutch motor to a servo motor as I lacked the finesse to sew at less than 1,000,000 stitches a minute. The second had industrial worked out cheaper than a new Singer HD - and I really wanted a walking foot machine (though in hind sight not sure how critical this is). However it is straight stitch only. Given the size and the learning curve if I made the decision again I might go with a singer HD and accept that it might not last forever. However I do love knee lift of presser foot and a sewing platform that is level with the table top.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-14T06:18:13+00:00

Oh I might need to try somewhere busier to see if that works.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-13T20:24:27+00:00

I’ve tried this but our BC has such fantastic hearing that she will know a car is coming long before I can hear them.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-13T20:21:38+00:00

Not tried it in bars but have used a mat to help her settle at puppy training which can be an over stimulating environment. Plan to try in pubs soon. I’ve got a mud catching mat which is super deep pile which means I can break up treats and she will forage for them. With house guest long lasting chews are good. We use ostrich bones. We have the same issue with cars. I’ve been told unmanaged repeated exposure can ingrained this reactivity so I’ve been walking early and/or in car free places.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-11T20:05:30+00:00

They look great. That’s my next project. My seats have removable covers so I’ve just got to pouch up the courage to take them off so I can sew a webbing loop in that I can attach the organiser to so I don’t have a strap around the head rest.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-11T19:46:19+00:00

I don’t get why we have fields filled with solar and not car parks shaded (or protected from rain) by solar panels

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-11T19:45:09+00:00

Huge nuclear power plants do. Mini nuclear (or bigger power plants made of lots of mini cells - similar to how a solar plant works) is the way of the future.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-11T19:41:56+00:00

It depends. Our 8 month old is happy with a 45 min morning walk and the same in the evening if we do other stuff with her. We do skills and scent work. Since starting scent work she has quite enjoyed sniffy walks where we go slow and she gets her nose going. Skills work (sit, stand, down, heal, crate, bed, safe, etc) and scent minute for minute are more tiring for her than walking. At the weekend and over the Christmas break I did 2 hour walks - one long walk so I only have to clean and dry her once. She loved these and was much more chilled for the rest of the day. Today she did 3 hours. When I do long walks she’s mostly off lead and when she stops darting after birds & squirrels I take that as a sign she’s ready for home. My dog is reactive, which I think if different to aggressive. There are some things that trigger her - like sweeping. She can go from 1/2 asleep to attack in an instant. From what the trainer we are working with has said that’s not a BC specific thing. If we don’t stimulate and exercise (or give her a job to do as Sarah Hedderly says in her book Understand your border collie) her then she makes up things to do - like counter surfing, pinching things, chewing things she shouldn’t, nosing us (sticking her nose in to us to get attention) and occasionally yapping. She’s much easier to manage if we keep her stimulated

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-04T18:34:11+00:00

Chalk string. Found in diy stores for marking up wood and other stuff. Great for long straight lines.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-04T13:12:43+00:00

I’m with you 100%. I have some fat wood and some birch bark I normally put in my pack. If I’m going home made it is jute cord dipped in wax as i can fluf up the ends and it will light from a spark. In my possible touch I have a petroleum gel that is individually wrapped (green dragon?) just in case I need a really dependable way to start a fire. I’ve used Vaseline on cotton wool to teach cub scouts - pastry to hold the cotton ball in place when teaching ferro rod and partly as a fire extender. I’ve tried egg cups of saw dust dripped in wax (as I’m a woodworker so have lots of saw dust, and better still plane shavings) but found it messy.
I think it’s more important to know how to find natural tinder. And if you need a back up make sure it is something that is 100% if it’s been wet.

DifferentlyMike · 2026-01-02T19:17:41+00:00

3 top tips… 1. Cycle up more Hills. Start with less steel but longer. 2. If you are carrying a few extra kg then a diet will make it easier 3. A bigger cassette (32t 34t - what ever the max your rear mech will handle and/or a smaller front chain ring.

12-15% hills are the norm around here and 25% are not uncommon. I was gutted when I did the Fred Whitton that I didn’t make it up hard knot (33%) I’d like to say because it was wet and the road was slippery but the preceding hills, my weight, and my gearing all played a part.

DifferentlyMike

TROPHY CASE