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'.

Trail and Tribulation

Well, they've lured me back; I've just signed up for a year. The Markill stove offer was what finally won me over. That, and the fact that I'd bought the last few issues and not been that disappointed.

I've been a subscriber before, a long time ago, but gave up when the endless recycling of articles and features became all too apparent. The puerile "look what I'm eating" photies of the staffers in every issue didnae help either.

So, we'll see how it goes.

I may as well sign up for TGO while I'm at it. The April 2008 issue was one of the best I'd seen and trying to buy a copy round here is nigh on impossible.

Both their forums are still rubbish tho'.

The Dark Side

A "weel kent face" on the OM & Trail forums, and now a columnist in Trail Magazine itself, Ptc* has turned his hand to blogging. It's a medium that I think will suit his unique mix of technical knowledge, intelligent wit and flowery banter. I laughed out loud several times. And it looks good too.

He's going to be a busy boy, what with the new arrival so the posts may be a bit sporadic. Or at least at odd times of the night :o)

Go look here.