Odd hobbies?

[sewer rat]

Since the arrival of the kids, my hobbies have fallen by the wayside - except the occasional half day shooting.
I used to do a lot of hillwalking and ice-climbing (never really got into rock climbing) and laterally got into doing long distance walks with a twist - no tent just sleeping rough. The last one I did was from Glasgow to Cape Wrath (the north west tip of Scotland)- 310 miles, 28 days, 32 munros, slept in caves, under bridges, ruined crofts, half way up a mountain on a ledge, in a sheep shelter (had to evict the sheep to get enough room though), in a byre, on a beach (above the high tide mark!)and in a steel shipping container. I raised £1300 for Samaritans in Northern Ireland for that one.

[Johnny Appleseed]

Snap...

I was out yesterday taking pinholes on my DSLR through a f64 pinhole - got some great moving water shots.

I'm looking next at making a scanner camera - using an old flatbed scanner and lots of black foam board. and a magnifying glass for a lens...but got to find an old flat bed scanner from freecycle first.

Sounds fantastic zazen999 - please update us on the scanner camera - Good luck

[Comfreyfan]

I share EVERY hobby with my OH...(read in to that as you wish also!!!!) . I have been quite interested in the possibility of fishing since watching a programme on the 'extreme fishers' channel about women fishing at the seaside...it looked great. We're seriously considering having a go, but goodness knows how we're going to start up - don't really want to buy everything until I know for sure whether I can a) do it b) enjoy it!
freecycle maybe! What would one need to start at a VERY basic level??

In England the Rivers Authority/Environment Agency hold 'try fishing' days - usually in the summer of course! - so you can use their gear and give it a try before you decide if you want to pursue it. I'm sure Scotland must have something similar. There's loads of information on the net, just google whatever type you want to try - we go coarse fishing, sounds like you'd like to try beach casting. And if you see a fisherperson, just ask, they'll be more than happy to talk about it!!

[Bephlam]

Ok, so now I'm going to have to spend the rest of the night looking up the BARF/RAW diet...and fishing!! lol. I've a busy night ahead...good job my OH wants to watch Midsummer Murders! (Phew!...that'll keep her entertained for a couple of hours!! )

[BrideXIII]

fishing is cool hun, come vist i'll take you sea fishing , dark, cold , wet but well worth it

[Glutton4...]

got to find an old flat bed scanner from freecycle first.

I think I've got one sitting around that my sister gave me when she moved to Spain. I've never used it coz it's got no leads, but it's free to whoever pays the postage - PM me if ur interested.

As for hobbies - the bloody computer seems to take up an inordinate amount of my time

OH currently watching Midsomer Murders, but too loud!

I ride, but not often enough - spend most of my time mucking out/poo-picking field/grooming/feeding and making sure they're all happy - owner not interested.

Used to compete locally jumping/xcountry as a kid/teenager, but it hurts now when you fall off! (COWARD!!)

Land Rovering, but not on the scale that HayleyB does (wait till the trialler's finished!)

Caravanning - UK is a fab place to visit, and there's loads I haven't seen yet....

[Comfreyfan]

I'm with you on that Glutton - UK is brilliant place to holiday. We camp and then really go over an area and visit everything we want to see. We never seem to run out of places to visit!

[Bephlam]

fishing is cool hun, come vist i'll take you sea fishing , dark, cold , wet but well worth it

I might take you up on that - you're easier to get to than Devon!!

I sooo want to try it - knowing my luck I'd catch NOTHING though!!!

[Glutton4...]

I'm with you on that Glutton - UK is brilliant place to holiday. We camp and then really go over an area and visit everything we want to see. We never seem to run out of places to visit!

So far we've visited Devon/Cornwall (without caravan) - Eden Project is great, untill you go to Helligan which is the best place in the world Even my OH who's not in the least bit interested in plants or gardening wanted to stay there and learn to grow veg!

North and mid Wales - now I know why the Welsh are so patriotic - their country is so beautiful.

Derbyshire - Wet and snowy last Easter, but the people were warm and friendly - can't wait to go back.

Suffolk/Norfolk - Great for weekends away with OH. I go on the Friday afternoon, and he meets me there after work - it's like being on holiday, but without the hassle (like Center Parks - my previous addiction - but without the cost)

As for birds of prey - I would just love to but got too many hobbies already

[burnie]

Fishing in Scotland is diffferent to England/Wales,no rod licences for a start(except border esk).Try a local tackle shop for any local clubs you could watch/join.Is it sea or troot you want to try?Rivers and Lochs are not always accessible as they could be due to silver tourists(salmon),so the preserve of the rich.Sea fishing is free and usually no problem with access either.Good luck.
Falconry,there's lots of display people and quite a few "have a go " falconry days out you can find all over the uk.It really is not something you go into lightly,if you are going to fly the bird and in my opinion you must for the birds well being,then the time it takes out of your life ,is far above any other animal around.If you don't do it properly,the bird will just dissapear,having said that the rewards are very exciting,even if your bird doesn't hunt.

[Bephlam]

I have no idea burnie...I was seduced by sea fishing, but would like 'troot' too!! LOL

I wouldn't have the first idea where a tackle shop was, let alone a club. I'll google it though - rest assured!

As for Falconry - I'll stick to my chooks - lol.

[Alice]

I raised £1300 for Samaritans in Northern Ireland for that one.[/QUOTE]

Well done Rat. That's a lot of money and every penny helps. Great big effort on your part. Couldn't do it on my best day.

[burnie]

I have no idea burnie...I was seduced by sea fishing, but would like 'troot' too!! LOL

I wouldn't have the first idea where a tackle shop was, let alone a club. I'll google it though - rest assured!

As for Falconry - I'll stick to my chooks - lol.

I have no personal experience,but on a sea fishing forum I use,they are not too keen on the glasgow angling centre.I'm on the east side so can't really help.Try World Sea Fishing forum,some one may be closer to you,they are a friendly enough bunch,this site has forums for the whole of the uk,so might help any other would be sea anglers get started.

[Comfreyfan]

North and mid Wales - now I know why the Welsh are so patriotic - their country is so beautiful.

We were in North Wales last weekend and took the last train of the season up Snowdon - only 3/4 way up because of the snow - but it was absolutely beautiful, sun was shining, -6 degrees, but wonderful. The roads are a nightmare! but the area is gorgeous.

[BrideXIII]

I might take you up on that - you're easier to get to than Devon!!

I sooo want to try it - knowing my luck I'd catch NOTHING though!!!

well if you up for beachcasting into ice floes off dungeoness go for it, bring an ice pick