Narrowboats
I've been building and living on narrowboats for five years. If narrowboats interest you, perhaps some of my ideas (and mistakes) will be of help.
Easy Tiger
My current home
Iron Maiden
My first boat and a major restoration project
- Lots of information on the process of choosing and refitting a knackered boat.
Green woodwork
My latest interest, the timeless skill of green wood craft and carpentry is facinating, fulfilling and eco-friendly.
- Greenwood course at CAT, 2009
- Homemade pole lathe design, construction and thoughts.
Climbing
I've been lucky enough to enjoy rock climbing, mountaineering and skiing all over the place. Here are some random nuggets of information that may be useful to you:
Expeditions
- Greenland 2004 Ski-mountaineering trip
- Cordillera Blanca Expedition Peru 2000
- Rolwaling Expedition Nepal 1998
The Fogies
Online club for ex-members of Imperial College S&G / Outdoor Club.
Offwidth the good old stuff
This website started out as a resource for climbers, and though it's not been updated for a good while all the info is still here:
- Guide to outdoor cooking
- Caffs and chippies for climbers
- Classic climbers' literature reviewed
- List of UK campsites*
- List of UK climbers' huts*
- List of UK climbing clubs*
* I no longer make any attempt to keep these up to date
Motorbikes
Being a bit of a bike nut, but also skint, I have learned a lot about restoring old and damaged bikes. Here you will find info on the bikes I have owned and loved (or hated), and how to repair and service them.
Yamaha Thundercat
Still my favourite, what a fantastic machine!
- Guide to buying a second-hand Cat
- Engine removal and installation guide
- How to service your brakes
- How to replace your fork oil
- How to replace your chain and sprockets
- Owner's Manual (PDF 1.5M)
Yamaha Thundercat II
Bought, fixed up, sold for modest profit
Honda CRM250 mark II
Bought in complete state, fixed up eventually, sold for modest loss.
- Engine removal and rebuild guide
- Workshop manual (PDF 3.5M)
Kawasaki Z500
First foray into 'vintage' bikes. Cost: £180. Not worth the money.
Kawasaki ZZR1100
The one I wish I had kept. Despite having to spend £££s on having the frame straightened!
Bits and bobs
Computers
Hate 'em or hate 'em, computers are a good way to earn a little cash. Here are a few feeble IT offerings of mine.
- Form maker If you need to code HTML forms, this gadget makes life a lot easier.
- Sudoku solver Created in an attempt to win a DAB radio. Solves most 9x9 Sudoku puzzles, which only serves to highlight their utter pointlessness.
