Mathoms In Your Pack: We are all always trying to lighten our load, searching for those unnecessary items which would best be left at home, but it would be unwise to jeopardise safety for lightness. A case in point: for over twenty years I carried an elastic bandage and a cotton sling in my pack, […]
In Australia this motorcycle is best known colloquially as the ‘Postie Bike’ (for obvious reasons). It is the most common motorcycle in Australia. Elsewhere known as the ‘Cub’ it is the most produced vehicle in history with over 60 MILLION having been made by 2008. A brief history here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Super_Cub I picked up my ‘latest’
Insects can ruin a camping trip. You need a Repellent which works. These guys are the solution. There has been a move by the touchy-feely crowd to bombard us with ‘natural’ ones which will see you eaten alive. Be warned. The product must have Deet (not so much it melts your raincoat, but lots). And
Gun Law Reform gone wrong: What explains the drastic decline in violent crime, specifically between 1500 and 1900? And its increase SINCE 1900? ‘That’s a 17,544% increase in England’s assault crime over the past 100 years.’ The decline in gun ownership by law abiding citizens would have to be ONE explanation. (Another might be the
Bunnings have these wonderful brackets which attach to standard ‘star’ posts/pickets which enable wooden fence rails to be joined to them (there are also corner ones): http://www.bunnings.com.au/post-accessory-post-bracket-flat-12215_p3040743 Also see: http://whitesgroup.com.au/Products/WhitesSpecialistRuralcatalogue/tabid/126/ProdID/174/categoryId/39/Post-Caps.aspx?sid=[PARENTID] & http://www.waratahfencing.com.au/Product/Tools-and-Accessories/Fencing-Accessories/GalStar-Post-Caps.aspx There also exists a plate to prevent star posts from sinking: http://www.waratahfencing.com.au/Product/Tools-and-Accessories/Fencing-Accessories/Anti-sink-Plates.aspx available elsewhere.
River Crossings: This is one of the most fraught parts of hiking. I have seen so many people come to grief doing this (and have had to arrange emergency air rescue for a number who foolishly injured themselves). For example, many folks will spend lots of time trying to find a log to cross on.
I must say that when our kids were tiny they ate lashings of PB (Peanut Buttter)with no thought (from us) that it might be bad for them. Indeed I was astonished to learn there WAS such a thing as PB allergy (Is there?) AND that Statists insisted that PB be banned from kids’ lunches etc.
.308s: I own two of these beauties. Both are Browning (‘Lightning’) Lever Action models (BLRs). My wife bought me the first as a silver wedding anniversary present back in 1998 (and I should have shot a MOOSE with it in the Hilda Burn, Fiordland NZ in 2000…Oh Well!) The second (a take-down model) she bought for my
The importance of that piece of string: in this case it is for making ultralight thongs/sandals from shoe inserts (these are ‘Redbacks’): 58 grams the pair in Size 8. Great for camp shoes, river crossings, etc. Also: the Gossamer Gear Sitlight Pad @ 30 grams (apart from keeping your bum dry for trail lunches on
ROPE: Sam Gamgee was right, ‘What about a bit of rope? You’ll want it, if you haven’t got it,’ he opined, and you would be foolish if you didn’t agree. Some cordage is an essential on the trail: You need thread and needle for those torn trousers or wounds. I always have dental floss
