>>608

A complete 8' x 10' shed came up on Freecycle yesterday (West Yorks). Have a look where you are.

OP here, I'm planning on building the shed my self, I'm very good at building, but not so good at the whole gardening side of it, anything that is a must know before I rip out the dead tree and make some flower beds?

>>634
If you can build a shed you probably have the wherewithall to garden. It's really easy. You just have to have a go at growing shit. Some things will grow, some things will die. The more you do it, the better you get.

>>635

Agreed, although growing certain things will be more complicated than others. If in doubt you could always post a thread here or do some research yourself, like Simon did.

It's a matter of patience; the patience to pull out all the shitty little remnants of bind weed, the patience to let the plant grow, the patience to nurture a crop for the duration of its nonproductiveness. Of course I'm being a touch simplistic; you'll need to get good at pruning, deadheading, etc., but there are plenty of resources to the effect and it'll become second nature with practice.

>>603

Or maybe it's the people who don't want an entire hive of bees sitting next to their plants and risk the possibility of causing a swarm uprising if they step on one by accident.

>>611
Bees aren't wasps. They're not predisposed to attacking people.

>>618

This is true, but the people who would worry about it and potentially kick up a fuss are the same sort of people who are more worried about are maddie/pedos/islams and other stuff than real issues.

>>618
>>620

Think of the children. What if are maddie disturbed the nest and was stung and killed? Bees should be banned. They are dangerous animals that no one should own.

>>632

Yes our boys would have to bomb them.

>>627
http://www.quickcompost.co.uk/pdf/Conwy_Centre.pdf

http://www.quickcompost.co.uk/food-waste-macerator-de-waterer-rocket-composter-accelerated-compost.shtml

http://www.quickcompost.co.uk/pdf/Rocket_Composters/A500_Rocket.pdf

http://www.quickcompost.co.uk/pdf/Rocket_Composters/A1200_Rocket.pdf

Threads like this, and the relative lack of cuntishness, is why I love this site.

>>630

That's all very well but you really ought to take more care with your subject-verb agreement.

>>607
Yes I remember that excellent post. I have since considered adding some kind of solar heater to the base of my compost heap. I think it should accelerate things.

I fancy moving to a tumbler / rotating drum system though, they're supposed to be fastest of all.

Here is the base of one of my heaps. Pretty good. I usually sieve it at this stage to get rid of the big bits. For potting I usually add about a third as much sharp sand and mix it in well to break it down.

This layer was made before I got the mulcher, I'm hoping that when I harvest the mulched stuff it is a bit finer and more broken down (and less sieving).

>>617
>>I fancy moving to a tumbler / rotating drum system though, they're supposed to be fastest of all.

I currently don't even own a compost heap, but will try this system in the future, even if only for the fun of building it.

One of my best ever compost heaps of all time was one where I used sticks and twigs to construct a weave type enclosure which over time rotted into the compost itself. This worked well by allowing more air to circulate than it would with most solid wood set ups. I think part of the reason it worked so well was that it was mostly grass cuttings being added rather than anything biodegradeable which has been my modus operandi over the last few years.

>>621
I always understood one had to be careful putting lots and lots of grass clippings on the heap because you end up with too much nitrogen. I always lob mine on though.

>>622

Yes that can happen, which is partly why my approach changed.

>>596

>I'd tip my hat to anyone smashing starbucks windows

Why?

Seems like a bit of a dick thing to do, really, and you're only hurting your cause by doing such.

>>597

>doing such.

Your truncated sentence offends me far more than your jejeune dismissal of smashing up Starbucks.

>>598
There is nothing wrong with his sentence construction at all.

>>599

Agreed, however I feel 598 was more concerned with starbucks than English.

I am philosophically against the bourgeois pigs but I do like a good espresso too.

Anyway, OP, you have given me a lot of reading to do, it all seems very worthwhile.

The Global Warmists are in exactly the same sitation and following the same behaviour as Tony Blair and co. claiming that their 45 minute claim and dodgy dossier is "no big deal" or only "a few mistakes".

>>574 Again. Just look at the language you use. If I remove all the insults and comments about politics, religion and general ranting, there is nothing left. I am open minded. I am interested in what you think but not when you spam this board with this verbal diarrhoea. And, yes you are calling it a conspiracy. You said that scientics, the media and governments across the world are working together to lie to us. That is by definition a conspiracy. Nothing wrong with that.

Firstly, are you denying that the Earth is warming ? Or are you denying that it's because of human activity ?

>>574 Also, please try and keep it civil or leave the board.

>>574

This is a very nasty attack which says nothing about science.

You haven't really provided an answer but a page-long philippic.

>>574
You raise no relevant points whatsoever. Quite impressive for such a long post.

>>567
Ha. You're probably right.

The carbon emissions argument is idiotic and weak. They should talk about the welfare of the cattle instead (as obviously cows still fart and breathe if you space them out instead of putting them together).

Is anyone still actually believing or caring about carbon credits and footprint crap any more? Even after all the hilarious debunking and failures linked here and all over the net and media?

>>572
> Even after all the hilarious debunking and failures linked here and all over the net and media?

I'm not quite sure what you've been reading, but the general gist of it seemed to be: "Maybe not as bad as we thought, pumping huge amounts of crap into the atmosphere still not a good idea".

Anyway, the article is hilarious.
> But groups led by Viva, the Vegetarians International Voice for Animals,
Why couldn't they be called the Vegetarian Union's Loving Voice for Animals?

For example:
> The consortium of dairy farmers [...] says [...] the unit will [...] set new standards in animal welfare.

Fantastic double speak.

> The firm says that when in milk the animals would be kept indoors, "free to roam in open-sided, airy, sheds", but when dry would be allowed outside to pasture.

Message too long. Click here to view the full text.

>>572 Not this again. Someone was challenged to prove this in another thread and they couldn't even attempt it. Spamming this message doesn't make it seem any truer. One more time; prove your case. Please. There are many people who would like to hear it, me included.

Also, I never understood the cows farting argument. Surely, any emissions from cows were taken from the plants they eat, which were in turn taken from the air to start with, as with rotting leaves releasing CO2. Am I wrong ? Are they creating new methane ?

>>572 Oh, I see you did respond (badly). I'll take it back there.

I'd love to read your message, but there's a sunflower in the way.

>>563
Switch to luddite mode you luddite, purple has yet to add logos to it for unexplained reasons.

>>561

Kind of obvious that the most popular and widely bought products will be found often. Bid deal.

Just wait, after the economy finally touches bottom in the giant gaping recession vagina and blows its hellish load there will be a profit in scrounging up some of that rubbish and mining the landfills.

>>559
Nice, thanks.

The comments are hilariously spammy:
>Bacterial Vaginosis: It is time to sharpen my ax. I want to try some of his techniques.

I, too, would like to see a technique that combats bacterial vaginosis using an axe.

>>546

Well, I liked your new word but not your argument. I do know what goes on in the National Curriculum, I know how it is developed and steered and by whom, and I know how it came about as an idea and then a policy. I am a member of two related professional bodies and am involved in two policy groups. I still haven't had any effect whatsoever on the education system. Children (and adults alike) are drilled to pass tests, getting little time to develop either their thinking or their sense of self.

I think it naive to suggest that a knowledge of decision making structures and of officials will change anything. Outrage may help.

>I do know what goes on in the National Curriculum, I know how it is developed and steered and by whom, and I know.

You may very well know. Yes. But people like you aren't those to whom I referred. People such as you make up less of a percentage than that required to necessitate active participation and progressive change within the area of the British NC.

Point I made still stands: most do not know. Whether you, I, or a few hundred people scattered across Britain "know", makes no overall difference if most of the often generalised public are statistically vapid and incognisant of such.

>>548

I don't think you understand how these things work. People are generally aware of foreign wars, the road fund and VAT but this insight does not enable them to alter their implementation. I'm not convinced that you know much about how the curriculum is developed and implemented, either. 'Point' does not stand, as you might say, as it is clear that the process in this and many other cases is not one admitting of universal participation. If you are not a True Believer, prepare for the wilderness. This is your democratic choice in public policy matters howsoever informed and connected you may be. Your idea of information leading to engagement and change is a fantasy.

>Your idea of information leading to engagement and change is a fantasy.

Strawman. Never said awareness led to change, I implied that change is impossible without public awareness. It's similar to a group of waiters at a restaurant being aware that the chef is pissing in the food. They could be aware and do nothing, but they cannot do something until they aware. If they are unaware, then in their minds, there is nothing to change.

I didn't even disagree with person before me. All I said was that the majority of people (read: the great British public) do not know who dictates and steers the course of the bulk of the British National Curriculum, besides "schooz" or "guvverment, innit" which is correct. That was my point; and as it is true, until that changes, it stands.

All the other things you said are irrelevant to the point. You're beginning to talk about people who are directly involved with the curriculum. Of course many of them know who does what, but, again, they're not the bulk of Britain, they're a minority. And the majority -- just like those waiters unaware of the piss in the soup -- are unwitting, and therefore unable, regardless of what they think they're voting for.

>>557

You don't have much of an argument without the implication that awareness leads to results.

I will come if it builds up some momentum.

I've been camping alone a few times in the past, mainly quite relaxing trips. A good book, some ot stew and a lovely view.

I would love a more rough time of it, a bit of survival thrown in. I have some varied camping stuff, but I'll need to resupply with some new boots and perhaps a smaller tent. A good ol' hike would be great, as long as you are not all dicks.

>>535
>>as long as you are not all dicks.

OP here. I know at least one person who has posted ITT who is not a dick. I'm generally not one either.

In my experience most people who are into this sort of thing are not dicks and I for one welcome anyone irrespective of background or past online antics. I'm happy for both Search and Simon to come on the proviso they do not argue the whole time. Same goes for lolitastic and the shadow.

Where are we having it again?

>>542

In a field.

I've been off the tubes having recently moved house. If I knew about the where, when and a little more of the what I might bring my banjo along.

Yes that really is awesome.

http://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/surveytelescopes/index.html

Found this today, it's very nice. A new image of Orion taken by VISTA.

VISTA has a main mirror 4.1 metres across and is by far the largest telescope in the world dedicated to surveying the sky at near-infrared wavelengths. It was conceived and developed by the United Kingdom and became an in-kind contribution to ESO as part of the UK's accession agreement, with the subscription paid by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The main mirror is the most highly curved mirror of its size ever made and its construction is a formidable accomplishment. At the heart of VISTA is a 3-tonne camera containing 16 special detectors sensitive to infrared light with a combined total of 67 megapixels. It will have widest coverage of any astronomical near-infrared camera.

>>522
Sorry to (perhaps) disappoint, but my tried and trusted backpack is a no-name (tell a lie, it says "Wilderness 85" on it) thing I bought because the guy in the outdoor store recommended it. I used it, so far, to for two alpine tours, a short local tour and for moving country once (don't ask). It's comfortable to wear, can carry more than plenty for supply-station oriented tours like alpine walks (I had a 2 days emergency rations, a change of clothes, 2l of water (it has a small well designed flap to allow a water straw to extend out of the pack), a first aid kit, my sleeping bag, sun tan lotion and a few bits and bobs the less prepared members of the tour needed to lug about in it with room to spare), it's waterproof enough for about 4 hours or so with it's built-in "hood" (didn't test it beyond that) for delicate electronics to survive in it and, overall, served me well. Might've been just a lucky buy.

What came in extremely handy were the loops on it (which you can sort of see on the front) for hanging stuff of it. A top pack, bottom pack and two side packs were useful for separating the "to be washed" and "just washed" bits, as well as keeping first aid and blister packs handy.

In all: It didn't cause any back-sweat in its use, which was a major plus. The compartments were, although basic, sufficient. The sturdy loops came in very handy. The rain-proof hood that's integrated was a life saver. Sorry I can't be more specific.

I go through bags rather quickly - not because they break on me, mostly because I end up leaving them somewhere or swapping them for a smaller bag at the end of a long trip or lending them out (read: never collecting them from people's sheds after they've used them). Any bag will do me now as long as it's at least 40 litres, 60 is better, has metal rods to keep the shape on your back, has a waist strap, and has side pockets for water. I have never experienced an expensive Karrimor to last any longer than a one I got in Aldis for twenty quid, as they all seem to be made of the same lovely heavy duty canvas stuff.

I have a simple ex-militarty 20 litre backpack, made of canvas and leather. The label looks German. It's pretty comfortable and has a waist strap. Is it worth getting a larger one do you think? I plan on travelling as light as possible at deliverance.

>>533

Probably not. Travelling light but prepared is a skill though, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/v/4U_xmfSwYSw

>>498
Deviant.

>>498
I love how he turned his back to the camera to retain his dignity only for the cameraman to shuffle about in a bid to keep his penis in shot.

http://www.youtube.com/v/R25Eflr0oJ8

Ray Mears wouldn't be stuck on a raft but a luxary yaught made of sand with a crew made from coconuts.
But seriously you have to be an idiot to get stuck on a raft in the first place, Ray would make a ocean going canoe if out rigger and sail.

>>498
In a survival sitation drinking urine is as bad as drinking seawater, it shouldn't be done even if your desperate. if your pissing clear it might be ok but if your dehydrated it'll probly be dark and be almost all salt, urea and all the other bad stuff your body pisses out for a reason.

>>507
>Ray would make a ocean going canoe
I think you're underestimating Ray's abilities...