DrBlox

Hampton Pier: Excellent location as the free car park (courtesy of Canterbury City Council) was a complete surprise. The pub opposite was exceptionally welcoming, their bouillabaisse was as good as what my French mate makes (so good even my kids ate it without whining) and I was completely shocked to be served a pint of something wonderful from "**** and Scream" (Masterbrew on the landlord's recommendation). The Herne Bay side of the pier, judging from the fish the kids caught with their drop nets, is a bass nursery with lots of very young fish and very large shrimps (prawns?). Crabs. Fishing the Essex side every single bait was ripped off in seconds - using French booms to get the bait off the bottom just caused the crabs to climb up the -line and rip it off. The crab numbers were so large that when I, ahem, cocked-up a cast (fingers covered in mackerel oil) and reeled it in to find a crab attacking the bait - it must have been in the water for less than two seconds. I tried squid and mackerel. They even attacked "jellies" (worms and fish). I also tried over the three visits (high tides) float fishing (for the first time) using bait, lures and feathers (this was in the calmer Herne Bay side) and all were ignored - although this might have been because of my "heavy" tackle. This place is possible better at night. Samphire Hoe: Stunning location. The kids didn't want to walk anywhere so I fished at the foot of the stairs (right next to the East - West sign). Parking OK(ish) for Kent (£2). Very strong rip tide on Tuesday. Couple of bites (float fishing with squid) - but my tackle is too heavy (I should have packed a light rod instead of two beachcasters). Having to buy a permit. I was told by all the 'experts' who walked past me that the fishing is better towards Folkstone. But I imagine that's quite a schlep - especially carrying two rods, tripod and box. All of the regulars I spoke to at Hampton said that the coast fishing in Kent had been poor for the past three months - although someone mentioned that they had caught quite a few rays on a boat from Folkstone.

SFA in Kent.

Cheers guys, I'll take your suggestions on board. Does Sandwich fish well?

Force of habit means I use Deal, but that's become so snaggy recently (lower platform) that I'm a little peeved at how much tackle I'm losing. I want to show my kids "how to fish" but, I'm assuming, it will take well over a year for all of the new sea defences to get washed clean and the water quality get up to acceptable levels (especially for Mackerel). I can't make out what the fishing is like from from Herne Bay (but it looks like it offers "...exceptional retail opportunities...") any forumeers with any suggestions, please?

...and, as if by magic, here is the announcement of SACS's new legal fees scheme from the December newsletter. I say magic because it was being used as a bookmark in one of my priceless collection of 70's Grattan catalogues (which magically all seem to fall open at the lingerie section): http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a534/born_3/20140710_SACS-1_zps830151dd.jpg http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a534/born_3/20140710_SACS-2_zps1db0c96e.jpg

Fair enough - but my SACS renewal for myself and 3 kids will be £35 (or 35 Spondulichs/Bawbies come creation of the Scotchlanderish currency). How much David for a 44 year-old, a 14 year-old, a twelve year-old and a 7 year-old to all be BASC members? Ooooh, this looks useful - I was thinking about a trip over la manche so my kids can practice speaking...

Bumpity, bump. I joined SACS for the main reason of "free kids" then legal fees. I had a brainwave, after a lesson with Baker_Boy (and after being given a BASC cap) about what would SACS membership mean for us south of the border if independence arrives for the Scotchlanders. I've just got a very interesting reply from them: I wonder what percentage of SACS membership is "South of Hadrian's Wall"?

As I've got more money than sense and is it's my birthday soon, I thought I might take up kayak fishing. I've seen this (the shop's local to me): http://www.ableisure.com/kayaks1/fishing-package/ As a starter (the rods/reels look pretty **** and I don't really need a pack of 6 lures) - does anyone ITK have an opinion whether this is a good starter?

And I've just received an order from Mandels!!!!!!!!!

I will be taking your advice, but I'm quite fortunate as mine is the "Luxano" and I've got an unused 28" barrel (it was the 24" that had the "accident"). I've got to pick up a new can of cleaner so I'll take the barrel along for the experts to have a look-see. I'm also waiting on delivery of something "nice and shiny" from Mandels.

Dunno oowee, but after 5 years of usage, this is what happened to my "skeet" choke on Sunday: I was very lucky that some bloke had his "fancy" Beretta choke spanner to remove it and very, very lucky that some bloke at one of the stands pointed it out to me.

My Hatsan's skeet choke has just "gone wrong". After searching on PW I found these: http://www.shotgunchokes.co.uk/shop/product-info.php?prodname=Escort-Extended-shotgun-choke-&id=30407 As I'm a plank, could someone tell what the effect of "Ported" and "Multi-Ported" etc. is - aprt from weight loss? NB: Comments such as "...adding a £40 external choke doubles the value of your Hatsan..." will not be tolerated.

Apparently all you need are a saucy looking Chinese girl and a shiny bag of treats (and a plane ticket to Japan).

http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/10978951.Shooting_ground_could_become_graveyard/?ref=la Blimey, is it that much of a non-money maker?

Yes please!. Can I paypal this, please?

Blimey Terry you're fast! I'm (we're) in South Herts (WD6) but travelling anywhere in the county wouldn't be a problem. During the week wouldn't really be a issue (a couple of days notice) for me but I would like my daughter to attend but this is impossible during the school-week. So ideally I would hope for a weekend / school holidays but it wouldn't be the end of the world if she couldn't attend. EDIT: Added location to profile.

I've posted elsewhere, one of my kids has expressed an interest in ferrets. I'm very OK and am begging to see if for "a couple of pints or something" someone in the area would allow us to shadow them / lend a hand / roll fags (I'm an ex-heavy smoker) make tea / the next time they're out to pick up some basics. We're both insured through our SACS membership.

Very interesting post! My daughter's just mentioned that she wants a ferret (we can't have dogs in our development) and I'm very OK with the idea as long as it (they) "earns its keep". The advice given to chase someone up and ask to follow them (and pick their brains) is very good and I've had a look at, the very long list of postings, on the other forum mentioned. Could anyone point me towards to a book such as "The Idiots Guide to Starting with Ferrets"? I'll also post a request eslewhere on this parish to see if any 'ferreter' will allow me (us) to shadow them to pick up some pointers.

Not really: http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/10467972.Parakeet_campaigners___It_is_completely_unnecessary_/ Our flock is 'only' about 30 strong at the moment. They are quite engaging animals (especially watching them nick my cherry tomatoes in my hanging baskets). But I also imagine that our Victorian forebears said exactly the same things about Sciurus carolinensis.

Count me in as well please. EDIT: It's been years since I've done any winter camping.

I did give 'em a call and was told "This'll be the third time I've removed the ad from the site". Oh well it looks like order the thing from the States.

Anyone know if anyone in the UK sells these? http://www.prairiegrassoutfitters.com/Beretta-Sling-Kit-Shotgun-Swiftach.html

Pah, you're all pussies! Want you want is a bolt action Webley & Scott .410. It's my daughter's gun and whenever I said to an interested observer "Would you like a go?" the child-like grin on their faces as they use it is worth the extortionate .410 cartridge prices. I'm thinking about getting my re-blued and re-doing the woodwork myself. This is to try and add some value to it for re-sale but I know it's just going to make me love it even more. It's just another excuse not to approach about a decent 20 gauge.

(Un)fortunately the 'wife' is now, very much, an "ex". She's also, according to google, 1329 miles away. It's still not far enough. Daughter's well into her shooting. She also dresses what we get (from rough shooting together) and as 'payment' to Dad for taking her she cleans the guns. I know I'm onto a very good thing. She also loves her hockey, the facilities are excellent and there's a chance her old man may, one day, meet one of these 'mythical' 'Hockey Mums'. Or any one of the over 35 ladies team. It's a bit of a schlep - it doesn't appear to be much further than Markyate. I may give it a look - I can't seem to find any more details - any chance of the linky-winky? Or some further contact numbers. Thanks. Cheers mate, looks interesting I'll contact them to see what the chances of joining/attending are.

Every Sunday morning I take my daughter to Hockey. I drive up the A1, so I go past the A1SG and one put on by, I think, Barnet SC. To go to AL4 then return to anyone of these, shoot and return to Hockey just isn't really practical. According to google maps that would be just over 50 miles of driving. Anyone suggest anything local to AL4? Thanks.