welder

!6th-23rd June. Rushes Lake, Vire en Champgne, Sarthe. 13 days and counting...……... Ian

My Thought of the Day? Why, after at least 10 years of ownership, have I finally decided to re-tension the elastics on my Nash Indulgence bedchair? The improvement is astonishing! Last weekend, sleeping in the awning of our caravan on the bedchair, I realised that it wasn't as supportive as I'd always taken for granted. Got home from work this afternoon and decided to do the deed. Half an hour later the Indulgence was just like it was when new. Off to Rushes Lake in France on the 16th of June for a week, Looking forward to it even more eagerly now. If only the rest of life was so easy! Ian

The boys are obviously good Karma, Phil. Added bonus is the bonding between Dad and lads, you can't buy it, it has to be earned. Enjoy! Ian

Where has summer gone is a good question. My wife, gorgeous granddaughter and I spent 4 nights at a campsite in the Clent Hills nearish to Birmingham, having towed our touring caravan there last Friday. Granddaughter always claims my berth in the van so I sleep on my Nash Indulgence in the awning, space shared with Daft Dexter, our elderly chocolate Labrador. All was well until around midnight when Thor decided to show off with a spectacular thunder and lighting display with added deluge. Wife and granddaughter slept through most of it...….meanwhile the awning was fully lit by the lightning so the only sleep attained was by Dexter who really doesn't give a monkey's about anything much..... Next day the sun shone, I got a bit of a tan, granddaughter made loads of friends and Birmingham, our home town, was under water.... Moral? Get a caravan and take the high ground. Ian

Spelling is fine....... Ian

Tell me about it! I spent a week at Napoleon Lakes in France last year and got smashed up by huge catfish all week as did my son who was in the next swim. Hooks snapped at the bend, entire hooklinks taken....you get the picture. Not impressed! Ian

I've got the extended wrap, too. As I only really use the bivvy on my own there is no shortage of space. As you say, everything can be put under cover. Ian

I remember that social very well. Nige was into his fourth or fifth fish before I'd go my bivvy up! Ian

Glad to be of help. I suspect that the manufacturers employ elves with tiny hands to pack their products.......... Ian

Timberlands in whichever style or colour you prefer. Just make sure they're Timberlands. Trust me. Ian

I still have the STi 2 man and having used it for the first time came to pack it away into the bag it came in. Not possible! I bought a much larger zipped bivvy bag, best money I've spent! Ian

I'd second this and agree with cyborx that policing the difference between lines is virtually impossible unless, of course, the bailiffs are equipped with digital Vernier calipers.......and are blessed with 20/20 vision. Ian

Greys. Ian

Can't argue with that. Family first. I was forced to take the day off today. The Shogun got me to work but steel supplier's trucks were snowed into their yard and couldn't deliver to me. Been reading a cracking book beside the fire, instead. Ian

You need a Mitsubishi Shogun, Nige. You know it makes sense......... Ian

If it's rated at 10,000 HH it's not going to leak! I'm looking for a 2-man bivvy myself, better have a look at these. Ian

Nothing on this Earth could persuade me to fish beneath high-voltage power lines like those, particularly at the lowest point of sag. Carbon fibre conducts electricity almost as well as a lump of copper does and a 12ft length of it in the hands, along with damp/wet conditions is a recipe for death. To each his own, of course. Ian

And night, presumably.......... Ian

I agree with big Phil about the eradication of condensation when using an over wrap. Another advantage is that the "porch" area is usually increased giving useful extra dry storage area. I use an old JRC STi Twinskin which has to have a wrap by design but I bought the extended JRC wrap and useful space is dramatically increased. Ian

Thanks Dayvid. I've been looking at the Fox Retreat 2-man. It looks a likely candidate. Ian

Gentlemen, your help please. In my dotage I need a taller bivvy than my elderly JRC Twinskin 2-man. I've been looking at the JRC Quad 2G XXL which is tall enough to accommodate a 6ft angler standing up. Has any of you experience of this bivvy? Failing that, have you any suggestions for an alternative to this one? I'm around 5'10" so the 6ft thing isn't too important, I just don't want to be stooping when in there. Price is less important than height and overall space. Ian

Another bad back here. I use a Nash Indulgence Daddy Long Legs chair and it's the business. As the name suggests, the legs are longer than on most chairs which results in a higher than usual sitting position. This suits me well and I can get up from it without suffering. The fact that it's also comfortable and supportive is a bonus. Well made, too. Ian

Highy, you might want to consider bringing pod and full setup back from the edge until only your rod tips are over the water. Cast shadows and sight of the outhang by fish cruising the edge may result in spooking potential catches. Just an observation. Ian

Bars versus Pods? No versus required. Carry both and deploy as you see fit. Ian

Best baitboat is a broad spectrum question, every owner/user will have a different opinion from the next. I have the Angling Technics Procat which suits my needs. A pal of mine has a boat, name forgotten, that resembles a cross channel ferry......It suits his needs. Enough said? Ian