Recent content by Pattree

Anyone used a solar cooker? I saw them in Ethiopia. Cardboard boxes lined with foil at the top and painted black on the inside. Not quick but a long lunch is a good idea in the mid day heat. There are lots of YouTubes but I saw simple vertical boxes, black on the inside reflective on the...

It’s been a while since I’ve been out on the trail - day or overnighting but even I am finding changes to my kit in response to the current weather. We used to be all about keeping cool or warm in waterproofed gear. Is our climate becoming any more (usefully) predictable? I’d be interested in...

Apparently astronomers have been explaining that you don’t put it on your head. (It interferes with your foil lined hat.) A grandson has made this. Pin hole points over the viewers shoulder. Image projected onto back of box. Eclipse viewed through the big hole while back is to the sun. If...

Non of the new build around here have chimneys. Not sure how you’d fit a log burner even if there were enough logs to go round.

Can someone remind me of the name of that incredible man who taught us lock picking at the recent summer Moot. He is a professional social hacker and said, in conversation: There are two kinds of business in the world: those that have been hacked by the Chinese and those who don’t know that...

As always, spectacular. Thank you. How did you get all that fuel through the Gulf?

Been there, Done that fifty years ago. We didn’t have any way of recalling TV that we missed then either. :lmao: Rolling blackouts won’t be as black as in 1978/9 It’s a bloody nuisance but it’s manageable. Invest in thermal flasks and pots for working homecoming. Folk here know that you can...

I was delighted to meet you there. Welcome back.

My childhood world? No thank you! To start with I’d be dead. I (and all of us dinner or later) need medication that took huge efforts to develop and an industry which employs millions. I need diagnostic machinery that takes the guessing out of prognosis. I need access to information about...

One of the educational changes of the times might be that Socratean Irony is no longer taught in English lessons. That, @Woody girl, is a beautiful example! Like you, Socrates would respond to a proposition saying:”I know nothing about this but …….. And then go on to ask penetrating questions...

I was quite concerned about this John. Either it was a supposed joke that went on far too long or it was some sort of superstitious fear (of what, I don’t know) In the first instance someone needs to own up. In the second someone needs help. I don’t know how many Christians were at the...

One of my daughters works for the Shropshire Wildlife Trust in the Landscape Recovery Department. Part of their work is on natural flood management. Beavers are part of the team. https://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/beaver-project-FAQs

I think I understand you @Woody girl . That world no longer exists for the same reason that your grandparents world no longer exists We need to step outside of our own value set when assessing the merit or otherwise of scenarios to which they no longer apply. I’ve quoted Socrates elsewhere...

I wrote this a year ago. I can do no better than to say it again: Also: Thanks to the people who were willing to take a look at new learning. Inquiring minds met willing teachers. (On my workshops that was about three times the number that I expected.) ……. and above all - it was fun...

Any chance of a cloud link? I don’t use Tic Tock (or any other social platform.) Sorry.