chrisjpainter

You're right, I think people get a little caught up in the myth of Bismarck, rather than the facts. The expert from the National Maritime put it quite well. He said it was 'comparable to the other battleships of that era - certainly not the best - but definitely comparable,' which is a nice way to put it. The fact that she blew Hood up with her fifth salvo should reflect more on the paucity of Hood rather than the prowess of Bismarck. She was ripe for a plunging shot and Bismarck had the range. It was an inevitable disaster, it just happened that it was Bismarck who was there to do the job.

If you don't like Dan Snow, fair enough. But 12 minutes of doomy music and mock graphics is hardly a 'much better' job than 90 minutes that uses several different experts in their field, original video, original sound recording, original photography and original testimony. That 12 minutes barely scratches the surfaces of the context and sticks to just another description of the battle - albeit a stripped out one because it's trying to fit it all into 12 minutes.

Yeah. The documentary looks at this. She would have sunk eventually and she was essentially dead in the water with all guns out of action, but in keeping with German tradition, she was scuttled, probably hastening her actual sinking by hours and denying the British any potential bid to board and salvage her

Historian Dan Snow's done a feature length (96 mins) programme on the engagement, hunt, chase and ultimate sinking of Bismarck. Not the usual Youtube nonsense of conspiracy theory and ego, this is a really good watch, with eye witness accounts from two of the three who survived Hood and from those who were on other ships during the conflict. Highly worth a watch, even if like me you know the story reasonable well. (you just have to suffer the you tube ads! They're not long; seconds rather than minutes).

Some great tries in that game

The final weekend for the men is here. Just watching the wooden spoon match. Wales look third best of the two right now.

Be warned... there are two Collins guides out there! There's one with photographs, which is the above one made in conjunction with the BTO, and there's one with detailed prints/sketches (below). The vast majority of birders, myself included, go for the latter. It has more detailed images across different ages and both sexes. The maps are easier to read too. I have the BTO Collins one and it's good, but its wheel of sightings probability is rather elaborate and the population maps are not easy to get to grips with quickly. In a way they're more accurate, because they're based on specific data rather than a generalised assessment, but the maps aren't user friendly. Where it EXCELS is the bit that no one bothers to read (save the geeks like me!). The beginning is stuffed full of really useful tips and tricks on how to birdwatch, not just what you're looking at. It teaches you far more about fieldcraft, but is somewhat let down as a field guide. The app @yatesmight be referring to is the same as the below one. Again I have it and it's very good indeed. Hope that helps! Collins Bird Guide: Amazon.co.uk: Svensson, Lars, Mullarney, Killian, Zetterström, Dan: 9780008547462: Books

Yeah it's going to be a shame if Ireland roll Scotland over, because that will make for a dead rubber for the late kick off. It would have been better to have them all at the same time and make all teams play in the 'What If' camp, so they have to turn up and play. Still, always nice to start with a tussle for a wooden spoon* before the real stuff gets under way! *It's also nice that England won't be in that position, I feared we might at half time vs Italy!

Wales well and truly beaten up by the end. Meaty stuff from the French

Been at 'pub. Well that was all very mad. What a brilliant, brilliant game of test rugby. England full value for the win; I don't think Ireland played badly, it's just that England, for once in a blue moon, played very, very well! Earl was absolutely titanic

It's all very crazy. So much fun!

To England, right? Great start! Well, chaotic start anyway!

I've just done my fire training for work. We were told powder's not great because it is a pain to clear up and can ruin things. I'd have thought the fire would have done that anyway... CO2 is a good all round option, but it doesn't work by cooling, so if the fuel's really hot, there's a risk it reignites after you've emptied your extinguisher. And they're not great in enclosed spaces. But I'd still go CO2 downstairs where there's the risk of electrical entanglements. What's the fire risk upstairs? is there a danger of one starting up there - smoking, electric blankets, or what have you? The source of the fire should determine what extinguisher you get.

Non existent - just!

All too often impractical. It's mail order or nowt.

Ridiculous ending! But for the wobble of the ball, it would surely have been Italy's win!

Thnkas for that, @oowee. You don't own the Venatu jacket, by any chance, do you? If so, do you like it?

I must confess I've never really looked at their stuff. I'm not sure I've even heard of it before. Does anyone use it, or know anyone who does? Good opinions and bad appreciated

Thanks @samboy. That's what I've felt with Ridgeline too. I have both in M and the Deerhunter's certainly bigger - but 10 years older. The Pro Gamekeeper doesn't have a game pocket at the back, does it?

I need to replace my Deerhunter winter jacket. I am seeing reviews where people have said their sizing comes up a bit tight and they wish they'd bought a size up, however I found my old one (EU 50) plenty room enough as a Medium. Have they changed their sizing or shape in the decade since I bought one? I'd rather stick to the brand if I can.

Daiwa n'zon s 11ft 60g feeder, 3 piece. Really lovely all round feeder rod in excellent condition. High volume fibre gives great strength to weight ratio. It's as happy on a commercial water as it is larger waters and rivers. Casts up to 60g and comes with 2 carbon tips, 1.5oz and 2oz. Pack down size is only 123cm, but still has a nice crisp curve through the blanks. £55 happy to post for extra

Scotland are seeking an apology f4om World Rugby for the try not given at the end of the match. They won't get one as by a strict interpretation of the rules, I can't say it was a mistake as such. I think the TMO and especially the on field ref should be allowed to make a decision on the balance of probability - cricket umpires have been doing that since the dawn of the structured game, so I think there's scope for it in rugby.

I think the reffing team couldn't bear to let the game drag on longer than was absolutely necessary; it was a dire game. You're right, of course. It was a pen at least and possibly a card. Not the TMO's finest day at either game.

We're spoiling for a drubbing. Our defensive set-up looks so vulnerable to a single missed tackle. We saw it against Italy, we saw it against Wales. At some point, we're going to come up against a side that will take those chances - and create many more besides.