Blackpowder

I presume that the temperatures forecast are equal to those frequently experienced in countries further south. Do these countries post daily warnings about the dangers of high temperatures? Blackpowder

Vango are mountaineering based I have found their tents excellent. Blackpowder

Nice one. Blackpowder

A1 through north Northumberland and Berwickshire was was as busy as I have ever seen it on Saturday. Blackpowder

Exactly when I started shooting in the late 1950s 28 inch barrels were the most sought after, now its anything from 30 inch upwards seems to be the trend. Whatever suits but I do not think many 6 foot plus shooters would want 25 inch barrels. Blackpowder

All the best for a successful op and speedy recovery. Blackpowder

Others on this thread have compared the price of guns against earnings. In my Forrest and Sons catalogue with hand written date 1921 the price of a 10ft 6in greenheart trout rod was £4 : 18s , the 10ft 6in rod in 1957 was a straight £5 : 00. 19foot salmon fly rods in greenheart were at that time £8 : 15s or with cork grip and rubber button £9 : 16s

I can say it is exciting, especially if you are 15 years old and this is your first ever salmon on the first ever outing with a new rod. I do it think that greenheart rod was made by Forrest, in fact it did not carry a makers name. Drew once told me that Forrest greenheart rod's blanks were split off the log with wedges ensuring that the grain was followed all the way, whereas this would not be the case if the blank was sawn off. Blackpowder

Forrests was like an Alladins Cave when still at school I visited to make my modest purchases of worm hooks , a dozen flies and a few yards of nylon. Then it was owned by Andrew (Drew) Porteous a nephew of the Forrest family. Drew came from Coldstream and was assisted by Bill Anderson who had worked alongside him in a previous employment. Even as a boy I was always treated with great courtesy in the shop even although my purchases were modest, later as a wage earner all my tackle would be from Forrest. After Drew's untimely death I think Bill Anderson ran the shop for a while prior to Dickson ownership. Greenheart was still a rod making material in the 1950s. In April 1957 Drew dropped of a 10ft 6in greenheart road at my house. Straight to the river where the first fish on it was a illicit 7pound salmon. Blackpowder

Thats what we wished for Packham Blackpowder

Totally agree

Well you certainly need to keep your wits about you when putting that lot together. Top job. Blackpowder

Its a job a did for a farmer for around 10 years, but I think no longer allowed in Scotland.

Winter is past with one ingredient for soups and broth missing for the duration. Essential in Scotch broth I have not seen dried peas in either local Coop or Aldi where I shop. Picking up on various facebook adverts for artificial meat id this composed partially of pea products is this the reason my soup has been lacking for months? Blackpowder

Sounds good, will do the same next time I am in a shop which stocks them. Blackpowder

Well tried phoning the tackle shop 30 miles away where my last Opinel came from to be to be told they no longer sell knives. On line many firms wont post, lots of ,'sold outs' in number 7 size. Managed to order one in the end Bob with a bright fluro green handle, times they are a changing. The average plastic handled knife is a poor specimen to me when compared with the Opinel blade on a number 7 which seem ideal for breasting pheasants and pigeon and filleting a modest cod or two. Blackpowder

Yes thought about that but the travel costs would buy more than one knife, its a good idea thank you. Blackpowder.

Thanks to all for the replies I am looking at some of the more brightly coloured Opinels. It was about 200m yards from where I last used it to when it was discovered missing, steps were retraced and only one person met, not easy to spot as herbage is now well grown beside the paths. Blackpowder

Fishing today managed to loose yet another Opinel knife very annoying as the blade was just getting in fine fettle for filleting fish and game. Absolutely cannot remember what number it was can anyone please tell me which number is legal to carry in UK. Blackpowder.

I use minced pigeon breast on straight forward mince, shepherds pie and spagbol. Blackpowder

There are many more pheasant feed rides and feeders in our country now and pigeons soon find them. Blackpowder

This year I have not set up on any new drillings, usually an anticipated spring event. The few times I went out to spy on newly sown fields , some on good flight lines failed to see any pigeon working them. This morning walked dog 200 yards along the verge of a newly sown pea field right to the corner turning point to find 1 that is one pea on the surface. Modern farm machinery is just too efficient for pigeon shooters. Blackpowder

Craftsman ship at its best Blackpowder

There is more money floating around the UK than any of us can fully comprehend. For example an estate not to far from me is offering wild partridge shooting at £600 a brace, one individual is said to have taken all the days on offer. Blackpowder

Never have that problem with the washing up bowl and scrubber, having said that only lack of space stops me having a washer. Blackpowder