Slithers of freedom [275]

Greetings from my shed...

I’ve been away! In a hotel. [See above photo] First one since January 2020.

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#TheAction

It’s been quite a week. I suddenly find myself with a bunch of stuff to talk about but little time in which to do it as I’ve been… Well… doing stuff.

From my first SOTA activation (more below) to an assignment for Devereux & Huskie and the @GlassArtSociety in Trowbridge.

I was invited to advise on and assist in the live-streaming of Katie Huskie and James Devereux as they made glass salmon for an ongoing project with The Missing Salmon Alliance. We started the day all taking covid tests and sorting out the tech. Then while Carolyn Jones took the helm at Switcher Studio with a four camera setup, I used a phone to stream the hot merry dance between the flaming pit of molten glass and the bench where James and Katie worked their magic.

It was intense, exciting and very rewarding. So good to be around people at the top of their game. Also good just to be around people.

The rest of the week was spent working in the garden. Sometimes to the point at which I felt broke. One night I treated my body to a soak in a hot bath. As well as shovelling a ton of dirt, I’d been edging the soon-to-be patio with sleepers that had needed sawing and manoeuvring. As I lay there with just my nose sticking out of the hot soup, I had a sudden appreciation for my physical abilities. This wasn’t a vanity thing. I was thankful that at the moment my body seems to work.

On the airwaves round here I mostly chat with people 30 or 40 years older than me. They chat about being in and out of hospital or falling apart, it’s a constant reminder that we are all going to the same place.

Considering it’s downhill after 21, some of them have done phenomenally. Personally I’m going to give thanks to my body while I still can.

With all the cycling I’ve been doing my legs feel stronger than they ever have. I’ve a few niggles I’m reminded of once in a while. But during that moment in the bath I felt pleased and lucky that after all the abuse I have put my body through over the years, hypothermia, Thai boxing, parachuting, cave diving, motorcycle accidents, botanical experimentation, the two beers I had before the bath… It still appears to work when I need it to.

After counting my blessings I got out the bath and had a herbal tea. Like these words, another beer was probably tempting fate.

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#ThePictures

This is what me and my mate Andy got up to over the weekend.

And here is Andy’s blog post should you like some more detail.

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The man behind the mysterious miniature town via Geo.

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It may come as no surprise that I’ve not surfed with a Great White Shark before. As far as I know. I once surfed with a dolphin I thought was a shark though.

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#TheWords

This is a great read… The joys of being an absolute beginner for life.

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Queens of infamy - Boudicca.

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The United Nations of crime - How Marbella became a magnet for gangsters.

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#TheSound

Discovered the Roots and All podcast. This fascinating episode is mushroom focused.

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The sound of a Firenado.

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#TheConsumed

I could put so much in this section. There has been a lot of consumption this week.

Gnocchi in sausage sauce on a bed of spinach was a win with the kids.

I rediscovered my favourite biscuit of all time. M&S all butter pistachio and almond ‘cookies’.

It takes skill to dunk them and have them survive and the training is a constant source of enjoyment.

But the foodie highlight of the week was a night in a Nepalese restaurant with friends.

The food seemed more fragrant with a real home cooked feel to it. It was richer in colour and more flavoursome that many of the Indian meals I’ve had recently. The paneer was amazing but then everything was stand-out delicious. With great service topping off the experience I really hope I can find a similar Nepalese restaurant in my area. I’ll certainly be on the lookout.

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#TheThings

The Insta360 One R looks pretty amazing. Especially its horizon Lock feature.

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I upgraded my gravel bike order with Alpkit as I’ve been waiting since February for a bike. I thought maybe there will be better luck with a better bike. But now this new order has also been delayed. Till November! If I want a decent bike for summer I might have to look elsewhere.

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Yesterday we did the livestream using the new version of the Rode Wireless Go. They were not my mics (I have the older version) but they worked well enough. I didn’t get the chance to test how they back up the audio but am reminded they were not the first to do this. On my return home I took delivery of the new and improved Micme Pocket with the Pro Lavalier upgrade.

I get asked about this pro wireless audio option for smartphones, but have only had a prototype Mikeme Pocket to try in the past. This kit, in the current sale costs £365. Without the Pro Lav it’s £282. That’s more than the Rode Wireless Go 2 so I’ll be interested to see how they compare.

First off the packaging was certainly upmarket and the information printed inside was easy to understand, informal as well as informative. It’s currently charging and I hope to get an audio test done for the subscriber issue of this email.

I spotted this in-house comparison video where the Mikme is shown alongside the Rode Wireless Go. Yes it is made by Mikme but I can attest to the fact there are a few connectors needed to get the Rode up and running.

I will share my observations next week.

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#TheThanks

I made this spot to thank paying subscribers. Those folk that drop the $5/month to get all the content I share into this feed.

I’d love it if like them you would consider upgrading to become a paid subscriber.

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#TheWeb

• Every single Garfield Comic.

• Opt out of having your medical data sold. But act quick.

• We are not spreading like a virus, we are a community.

• Thought screen.

• The inventor of the Post-it note has died.

• Would you pay for Twitter Blue?

• I’m really interested to see how the US will take to electric pickup trucks.

• This might be the battery development we’ve been waiting for.

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#TheEnd

Thanks for reading and apologies if this seems rushed, I have family arriving for a birthday party and have still not tidied the house.

Then first thing tomorrow I’ll be getting my second Covid jab. [Woot!] Here’s hoping that it’s a smoother ride than last time as in the afternoon we have a barbecue planned with me at the grill.

Have a great week!

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“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” ~ George Eliot

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Crave novelty.

See you out there.

Over…