The Unbearable Kindness of Strangers

I picked up a Markill Peak Ignition Ti stove today from the Post Office. It belongs to Matt Swaine, Editor of Trail. It's his personal stove. I have a handwritten note to prove it. He's given it to me to keep. He's also sending me some other stuff. He didn't have to but he did.

Mad steam-punk ray-gun?

I think that's awfy kind. All he's asked in return is that I maybe send in a photie of it getting used.

I can do that.

I'm taking that piezo ignition off first tho'.

Silver Lining

One of the things I've meaning to do since me & The Boy's trip to the 'gorms was to put together a One Pot Kitchen for him. The stove he used was a wee bit too big to fit in the Alpkit MyTi Mug along with a gas canister, Buff and Spork.

Trail failed to deliver on their promise of a free Markill Hot Shot way back in April when I subscribed (more on that later) and I've been keeping a weather-eye open ever since. I was quite chuffed with myself when I bid on, and won, a Hot Shot that had been listed on Ebay. But that has come to nought, the seller coughing up nothing but excuses and lining herself up for my very first helping of negative feedback.

Last weekend, I found myself in Sterling Village, Tillicoutry (nr Stirling), accompanying The Future Mrs D on a mission of great importance. Luckily for me, there's a Mountain Warehouse there, formerly a Karrimor clearance outlet but now full of generic own-brand "stuff". Not the kind of place I'm known to frequent but I can usually kill 5 or 10 minutes mooching about inside. While wandering the aisles, a box caught my eye; a wee Coleman F1 stove. The price sticker looked wrong, way too cheap for what it was. I checked with the lassie on the till and it was indeed correct. "I'll take it", says I.

A result then. The F1 is lighter than the Markill by a long way. It's simple, cheap and folk seem to like it. I'm happy now :o)

Bulk Buyer

If something's worth buying, it's worth buying a lot of it. That's my philosophy.

At my current rate of consumption, this little lot should last me 'til at least 2010.

Easily Led

It's true, I am. I read things and ideas take root in my head. Money gets spent and small packages arrive. Usually I frown at whatever it is I've bought and think "Why did I get this, again?"

The latest offering is a case in point. I can only imagine that it seemed like a good idea at the time. I mean, the guylines on my Laserlite are a bit pish and the linelocks are indeed rubbish but really, I don't own a set of scales and I can't tie a bowline.

Aw hell. Now I'm thinking I really need a book on knots.

Somebody shoot me. Please.

Badge of Honour

It just dawned on me that I've been openly displaying my lightweight credentials, at work at least, for the last 3 years. Folk have asked me what it means and I've tried my best to explain. Very few people get it.

The sticker came from the label of my Golite Coal Parka. Why I then stuck it on my work laptop is anybody's guess. Either way, my memory has been jogged and I'm going back over the many adventures me & the Coal and have had. Winter's coming and I'm enthused.

Mental Bubblegum

It's been a hectic couple of weeks, what with changes at work, one bairn getting married and another going off to Uni', we've been driven to distraction. A walk would be good to clear the mind but, when time is short and the hour late, firing up an Xbox is the next best thing. (I'm talking as a non-drinker here btw).

A couple of the boys at work had been raving about Battlefield: Bad Company and so, when it finally hit the shelves, I picked up a copy.

They were right; it's a hoot. The multiplayer mode is a pure joy, if you like that kind of thing. We spent a few hours running around as a wee squad and had a brilliant time. The first of many missions together, I'm sure. Let's hear it for team bonding.

Me (centre) and the boys, playing to the camera