adzyvilla

My dad has run Subaru's (firstly a legacy, then 3 foresters) since the early 90s and they have all been excellent, always bought second hand and kept until 10 years old. He finally splashed out on a new forester last year and loves it. I run a 2000 RAV4 5 door petrol, which I have as a shoot truck and which the wife uses during the week. Spacious with removable rear seats, excellent reliability. With good tyres it has never got stuck and still returns 30mpg. Your budget would get a nice MK3. I would recommend either make.

I like the pl32 I use them a lot, really good cartridge. I think they are good value for money.

My farmer friend is in the same position as you at the moment. He needs 3+tn towing capacity and is not a fan of pickups, and has a similar budget to you. Options are limited if you want another commercial vehicle, really only the shogun or a Nissan terrano (if you can find one). However, 2.5 ton towing opens up your options. Mitsubishi make a commercial version of the outlander that may be in your price range or you could look at an Isuzu trooper. I guess you realise you won't be getting a low mileage minter for your budget.... Away from commercials, there are loads of options. I particularly like the 2006 onwards Hyundai santa Fe, but pretty much any turbo diesel 4x4 will tow your caravan.

I prefer my 28" for game shooting, but it's horses for courses. Tried using 32" on pheasants a few times but couldn't get on with them. But obviously lots of people do like them or miroku and CG wouldn't be selling them.

True, 30" probably would be the best compromise for all round pheasant shooting, I was thinking more of the dedicated 32" high pheasants mirokus you seem to see a lot of these days. There really is so much choice for the op, it's getting harder and harder to make decisions.

Another vote for mk60 grade 5, although unless you are tackling only high birds, you might want to go for something with shorter barrels

I have an old stihl 024 with a 15" bar for cutting firewood, I love that old saw, still as smooth and tight as the day it was made and only ever needed a light service every now and then and new chains. I also have a stihl ms390 with a 20" bar for felling and logging, a good strong saw, but not so heavy that it tires you out.

I used to love the Winchester GBs, what a lovely cartridge they were. Hope they start selling them again.

Winnie, short for Winchester after my 101.

Another vote for fiocchi. I have used quite a few different carts in the last year - eley special pigeon, gamebore super game and clear pigeon, hull super fast. But the pigeon 32 and pl30 (both 6s) I am currently working my way through are my favourites. They are a bit dirty though. Cheap too, I paid £180 for 1000 pl30s.

Hardly surprising given he makes about £1000000 a year from cap and solar subsidies. Doesn't want his nice little earner to disappear. Mind you, he's always been a europhile.

Rust rust and more rust. Sills, wheel arches, and anywhere else the salty winter spray can get in. I looked at several last year and gave up in the end because I couldn't find a non rotten one. I think the later engines are good and parts are cheap, off road they hold their own. Ended up getting terrano instead and I think it was a much better choice.

Similar to old farriers suggestion, my old boss had a pair of 12b Beretta so5s that he used to let me 'borrow' when I was between guns. He was a lovely bloke, but not as nice as his guns.....

I forgot about the gladiators.... Jet, vogue and lightning..... Mmmmmm.

Erin grey - Colonel Deering from buck rogers

Another vote for White Town and Your Woman. Interesting song mostly performed by the one artist and recorded in his bedroom.

10 days of no work for just 3 days holiday this year, always a winner! Get to spend some quality time with the family, sister always hosts now as she has the biggest house. Got my pup to start training, do a little bit of beating, and for Christmas this year I'm buying myself a new gun. Good times.

I had my browning stock squared off and extended with a 3/4" Ebonite pad earlier this year by my local gunsmith. He did an excellent job and it cost me £72 including parts and labour.

My previous gun a miroku mk38 sporterised trap with 32" multichoke barrels. The only gun I've had that felt like an extension of my body. Sold it to help raise money for a deposit on my first house. Never had that feeling since and my shooting has never been the same.

Classics for Halloween would have to include monster mash, thriller, the ghostbusters theme, and for the ravers out there, nightmare by brainbug.

I'm at a similar stage with my lab, she is 22 weeks on Saturday. She is generally good on the lead and sits, recall is coming on. However she is very easily distracted (by literally anything) and keeping her focused even for a few minutes is a struggle. She is also entering a rebellious phase, testing the boundaries (and my patience). My advice is keep at it, there are plenty of how to guides on the Internet that helped me. Keep a short leash with a bit of slack, get her to understand what you want from her by teaching her you want her where you want her I.e. walking at heel, so she has an idea of how to please you and get a reward. lots of praise and positive rewards (treats if you are training that way) and practice in a quiet area. If she pulls in one direction, stop, make the dog sit and then continue on your way. If she persists, walk in the opposite direction. Slowly build to longer walks, with more distractions and the dog will get it in no time. You are not alone, it's my first go at training too, it's a lot of trial and error. Good luck

I am looking at getting an f16 after a few recommendations from pals and a good experience trying out an f3 on a round of clays a few years ago. There is an awful lot to choose from in that price bracket though so will also be interested to hear what others make of them.

In that case I expect to see a camo paint job and a couple of decoys on it when it's finished then.

Plenty of knowledge on the farming forum (anoraks) about these old tractors, might be worth signing up there? Good banter too although obviously not as good as pigeonwatch....

Subcontracting currently only Mercedes, but have worked for Jordan, Toyota, Caterham, Red bull and Williams. Also making current Tommi makinen rally car.