The Mandalorian Suprise

So under that Helmet, Bobba Fett wasn't that much of a badass after all...

More behind the scenes shots here.

Knots are Awesome

I have been brewing this for a couple of days. Earlier this week ( on a no-news day ) the Scout Association made comments about ditching the teaching of knots ( "But the reality is what's important now is their ability to do youth work – not climb mountains or do knots" from the Telegraph here).

Now I am a knot fan, I love the things, from a bowline to a round turn and two half hitches and back to my personal favourite a sheepshank. The simplicity of being able to secure two ( or more ) things together is simply good for the soul. It is as fundamental to humankind as gathering food and finding water.

And you will be surprised how many times you need a good knot, from tying back curtains to securing a roof rack, they are really useful in everyday life.

So why is the Scout Association giving them up? Well if you believe the reports it is to focus on such delightful things as PR and IT skills.

Seriously.

Dear Scouts, you were born in the woods, don't forget that.

Or is it time for a new association.....

Instawot

 OK, it's taken me a while to get with the whole Instagram thing ( blame Blackberry for that ), but you will be glad to know I am on it now...

So follow me and watch the vignette...

Bulgarian Bags and the Sufferfest my New Winter Training Partners

My gym has recently changed hands so along with better music and instructors who seem to have a better idea of what they are doing, they have some cheeky new kit. Hidden in a corner, near the kettlebells, but destined to be forgotten about were a set of these 'Bulgarian Bags'.

Nope, I had never seen them either!

Bit of a Youtube search and they start looking pretty special...


And so begins a winter of getting very close to these guys. ( though it does get boring with all the gym monkeys watching all the time as I throw them around ).

Next up is something for home. With a summer of biking behind me ( though still some Sportives planned including the Ride for Michael one in Penrith this weekend ), I've sold my soul to lycra and will be spending time sweating it up in the garage on a turbo trainer, following the crazy Sufferfest programe.



Here is to a Winter of feeling the burn...