Passionforangling

£80 for a mini skip in North Warwickshire

That's a great bag and as you say, nice to get amongst them for a change!

I still remember JDog's infamous work surface at his previous house! It seems clear to me that Lady JDog is the brains in that partnership judging by her influence on the new property so thanks for the advice PC but I'll pass on your suggestion this time

Oh PC, if only the kitchen was finished! It's in the early stages...jobs to do are: 1) Remove existing ceiling 2) Remove a wall that is damp, put in new DPC, and rebuild 3) Chemically damp proof another wall, tank it and re plaster 4) Chisel up existing quarry tiled floor 5) re route most plumbing 6) complete re-wire ........after that little lot I might be able to start thinking about putting the new kitchen in. By the time I get it done you will be back from your holls, posting of 100+ bags on the stubbles!

After a very lean time recently due to work commitments, preparing for the installation of a new kitchen and trying to train a five month old Labrador it was nice to get out yesterday afternoon for a go on some peas locally. Earlier in the week I had popped out in the mornings for an hour but not seen many birds and shot only a 1 and a 2 on consecutive mornings but on Friday evening I went to the fields for a reconasance visit and found about a 100 or so feeding in one of the four fields so decided that late afternoon might be better. Yesterday I arrived at about 4.00pm and there were a few birds flying in the strong winds so it looked hopeful. I set up in a hedge with an oak about 10 yards to my right with the strong wind blowing left to right. I popped 6 dead birds from the freezer on cradles that were so old I can't even remember when I shot them straight out in front of me and the three from earlier in the week went on floaters about 30 yards to my right. Almost straight away birds started to come in singles from the right against the strong wind over the floaters but my poor hide positioning meant that the oak tree canopy was preventing me from getting a clear shot at them. Moving the hide 10 yards to the other side of the oak seemed to work much better and I ended up with 18. Not a huge bag by any means, and it should really have been 30+, but as I say, nice to get double figures and at least a few meals in the freezer now which can be pan fried on the little portable gas stove pending the kitchen installation!

After a very lean time recently due to work commitments, preparing for the installation of a new kitchen and trying to train a five month old Labrador it was nice to get out yesterday afternoon for a go on some peas locally. Earlier in the week I had popped out in the mornings for an hour but not seen many birds and shot only a 1 and a 2 on consecutive mornings but on Friday evening I went to the fields for a reconasance visit and found about a 100 or so feeding in one of the four fields so decided that late afternoon might be better. Yesterday I arrived at about 4.00pm and there were a few birds flying in the strong winds so it looked hopeful. I set up in a hedge with an oak about 10 yards to my right with the strong wind blowing left to right. I popped 6 dead birds from the freezer on cradles that were so old I can't even remember when I shot them straight out in front of me and the three from earlier in the week went on floaters about 30 yards to my right. Almost straight away birds started to come in singles from the right against the strong wind over the floaters but my poor hide positioning meant that the oak tree canopy was preventing me from getting a clear shot at them. Moving the hide 10 yards to the other side of the oak seemed to work much better and I ended up with 18. Not a huge bag by any means, and it should really have been 30+, but as I say, nice to get double figures and at least a few meals in the freezer now which can be pan fried on the little portable gas stove pending the kitchen installation!

I had a new laptop this time last year and it came with Windows 8. I hated it. Although I know you should move with the times I just couldn't cope with it. My solution, on the advice of a pal was to download a programme called Classic Shell which makes the laptop operate in the same way as Windows 7. I'm absolutely no expert on computers so Google Classic She'll and have a look for yourself before deciding if it's for you. It was easy to install and I'm a much happier bunny now!

Yes, and it has good reviews on their website. And there's a Screwfix 3 miles from here so I can easily pop in and pick one up, thanks Fenboy.Maybe JDog will go halves with me, he's into DIY now it seems!

Just to revive this thread from a few weeks ago I'm not happy to report that my nearly 5 month old has resorted to waking up when the birds start! I'm going to try taking him out for a bit of excersise later at night. As I write this at 10.15pm he is snoring like a good 'un!

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-con1500rhd-professional-6-function-sds Thanks for all the advice fellas, the above seems to be a tool that would make the job easier than hand held chisel and lump hammer. And RedRobin, at the moment I'm planning to do the tiling!

They are the more modern quarry tiles, half inch thick laid on a cement type mortar bed it seems with a cement grout between. Ideally I need to get them up and leave a fairly flat surface underneath to take the new tiles. The new floor cannot be any higher than the existing floor. Paddy, I googled HD floor scraper but couldn't quite see how they would remove tiles that are firmly stuck down, maybe I looked at the wrong thing?

I have succumbed and agreed to replace our kitchen. I might as well because there don't seem to be too many pigeons about around here at the moment! I spent today removing the old kitchen which was actually rather a nice hand made pine kitchen which I thought was fine but the other half saw it in a different light! As an aside to my question which will follow, I had advertised the kitchen on a well known auction site and was VERY PLEASED with the figure it has sold for and was amazed that it had over 1000 views and had 102 watchers by the time it ended last week! Anyway, I digress. The kitchen isn't huge, it's about 4m by 3m and currently has quarry tiles laid. Again, I quite like them but the boss doesn't so they have to come up. I had to remove a few today while getting the kitchen out and it was quite hard work so I want to try and get some mechanical device to help. A full size Kango would be overkill but I could do with something to help. Is there a tool I can buy or hire that might at least leave me with arm capable of lifting a gun next month? Any advice gratefully received ......

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited to a tour of the Defender production line at Solihull. the morning started with a couple of videos showing the history of the development of the Landrover followed by the tour which showed just how labour intensive the Defender production is compared to RangeRover which I had seen on a visit a couple of years ago. They have recreated a replica of the original Series production line within the factory which is really interesting. The morning finished with a lovely lunch so all in all a great morning out and highly recommended to any Defender enthusiasts out there. Especially if you can get a complimentary invite like I did! With production coming to an end this year I am thinking of buying one of the last new Defenders to be manufactured in the hope that the last ones will hold their value. Trouble is, the wife wants a new kitchen, but you can't go shooting in a kitchen!

I was lucky enough to see the aforementioned worktop, certainly this refurbishment puts that bit of DIY to shame. I think I spy Molten Brown hand wash and cream by the sink, what happened to good old carbolic?

Have a great time away. No need to rush back, we'll let you know when the combines have been out and the stubbles are producing ...... Or we might not!

I may be being a bit thick but I don't understand the guidelines on the food I'm feeding my 4 month old lab. I'm feeding him on Skinners Field and Trial. For his weight range ( between 10-15 Kg), at 3- 4 months it suggests between 410g-525g per day. Between 5 -6months it suggests between 375g-450g per day, and less between months 7-9. What I don't get is that as he is growing over the next few months doesn't he need at least the same as he is having now? I know the guide is a generalisation but the concept of feeding less in the second sixth months of his life confuses me. I thought about contacting Skinners for the rationale but would be interested to hear the views of the PW experts first. Thanks

I don't know your circumstances but have you thought about buying a jet washer (Karcher?) and doing it yourself? It's pretty straightforward and a useful tool to have I've found. Soon pays for itself if you end up hiring someone every time.

Sounds like everything went right today. Good idea about cutting off the feet of the birds no good for cooking, saves a bit of time when collecting up at the end of the session. Congrats also on what sounds like a well behaved dog.

A good day out for both of you by the sound of things. It might be worth getting a pattern plate out for the semi......mine did exactly the same when I first used it (mine is an SX3). I'm not saying I'm great with it now but a shim removed seemed to make all the difference. Bet your dad is well chuffed with his ratio!

I am surprised you restrained for so long. You will probably always remember that first one, the first of many no doubt!

It's not far for me to travel to so I'm thinking of going along next weekend. For £8 advance entry it seems a good day out judging by the list of exhibitors. I looked on Events and Meets and couldn't find any reference to it.......is that a good or bad thing? Be interested to hear what anyone thinks who has attended in the past

Oh dear. The move has obviously affected you. Simple really......just fill your cartridge bag the night before you go shooting. I put 100 in mine a few weeks ago........and still have 80 odd left in there! ( but, as an optimist, I will top it up in the morning before I get a few hours out tomorrow)

Sounds like a perfect day, good company with a good number of birds decoying well.

An excellent outing with a photo to match that of the "master". You obviously prefer to see your birds on their backs, PC prefers them on their fronts. Good shooting and going back to the same field paid dividends.

Very sad news. DB will no doubt be very upset about this, such a shame that such a young and apparently healthy dog should pass away at such a young age.