Doh....

Darren G said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

John Spencer-Mallory said:

The guy wearing a name tag (so he didn't forget who he
was I think) 'Rob' and 'Manager'

Were the words "Rob" and "Manager" written upside down so that he
could read them?

If I do buy a down sleeping bag in the near future (as it is on my
wish-list) I shall get it from a shop in Chester. I can't remember
what the shop is called but I'm sure I'll remember if necessary.
I went in there a few weeks ago and spent ages chatting with one of
the blokes who works there. I didn't spend any money at all but he
seemed to enjoy talking about the kit and seemed to have experience of
using some of it. He made me think that he knew what he was talking
about. I bet he leaves soon.

That's what you want - a good local shop staffed by enthusiasts that are
happy to spend the time discussing products, even if it means talking
themselves out of a sale. I've been using escape2 in Warwick for a
couple of years now and (excuse the plug for them) wouldn't go anywhere
else. Especially as they will price match other shops :-)

I think I'e bought most of my kit from them and Lockwoods. The discount on
climbing gear from them if you are a memeber is most welcome!

The message <[email hidden]>
from "John Spencer-Mallory" <[email hidden]> contains
these words:

Quoted message said:

Having experienced Dixons, Currys, and Halfords I reckon they are all part
of the PC World empire which must be wholey owned by Blacks.

I doubt if Blacks is the master. Blacks of Greenock went bust. Sometime
in the 70s or 80s I think. Someone must have bought up the wreckage and
relaunched the name.

--
Roger Chapman so far this year 69 summits
New - 47 (Marilyns 13, Sweats 5, Outlying Fells 35)
Repeats - 22( Marilyns 7, Sweats 16, Wainwrights 16)

Judith said:

If I do buy a down sleeping bag in the near future (as it is on my
wish-list) I shall get it from a shop in Chester. I can't remember
what the shop is called but I'm sure I'll remember if necessary.
I went in there a few weeks ago and spent ages chatting with one of
the blokes who works there. I didn't spend any money at all but he
seemed to enjoy talking about the kit and seemed to have experience of
using some of it.

I know exactly what you mean! Hardly anyone I meet in walking shops
seem to have used a rucksack, mattress, boots or whatever it is I'm
looking for.

I've been looking at rucksacks recently too (tut, tut...) and I went
to a couple of shops today to have a look for some of the sacks
mentioned in the November TGO as best 40-50L sacks. Although I spoke
to 3 members of staff in the 2 shops, none of them knew what I was
talking about when I mentioned the review in TGO magazine (I spelled
it out too, just in case it was the initials causing confusion).

In one shop (a branch of Ellis Brigham) I found one of the sacks I'd
been looking for, but had to argue back and forwards for a minute or
so with the assistant to be allowed to put a real tent into the sack
(to try to get an idea of how it might pack) rather than just weights
bags. He then told me that I'd need to split up my tent to pack it
anyway, and when I told him I didn't he looked at me as though I'd
landed from Venus. I asked him what tent he was using, and he said a
Quasar! (It's lovely, but at about 4kg it's a bit heavy for solo
backpacking.) I told him my Akto goes up/comes down inner/outer
together, but he'd not heard of an Akto. When I told him it was a
single hoop he told me the Quasar was much stronger. Sometimes I
wonder whether I'm just getting old and bad tempered, but I get v.
frustrated when the assistants don't appear to know anything about the
stuff they're selling, or to have taken part in the activity I want to
buy it for.

Grrr....

Quoted message said:

He made me think that he knew what he was talking
about. I bet he leaves soon.

I'll bet! Sigh....

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've been looking at rucksacks recently too (tut, tut...) and I went
to a couple of shops today to have a look for some of the sacks
mentioned in the November TGO as best 40-50L sacks.

I find the LA walkabout 45 very comfortable and it's survived several trips
being chucked in and out of the luggage compartment of National Express
coaches so it must be pretty tough. Think that one was recommended in the
test.

AndyP said:

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've been looking at rucksacks recently too (tut, tut...) and I went
to a couple of shops today to have a look for some of the sacks
mentioned in the November TGO as best 40-50L sacks.

I find the LA walkabout 45 very comfortable and it's survived several trips
being chucked in and out of the luggage compartment of National Express
coaches so it must be pretty tough. Think that one was recommended in the
test.

It was, thanks. I hoped to try it, but wasn't able to find one. I'll
look elsewhere now, though.

Thanks again 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 22:16:49 +0100, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I find the LA walkabout 45 very comfortable and it's survived several trips
being chucked in and out of the luggage compartment of National Express
coaches so it must be pretty tough. Think that one was recommended in the
test.

It was, thanks. I hoped to try it, but wasn't able to find one. I'll
look elsewhere now, though.

Ah, well. I've tried all the local shops, but I can't find one.
Manufacturers have told me no local shops seem to have taken it up.
Closest they could suggest was Sheffield.

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Darren G said:

That's what you want - a good local shop staffed by enthusiasts that are
happy to spend the time discussing products, even if it means talking
themselves out of a sale. I've been using escape2 in Warwick for a
couple of years now and (excuse the plug for them) wouldn't go anywhere
else. Especially as they will price match other shops :-)

I think I'e bought most of my kit from them and Lockwoods. The discount on
climbing gear from them if you are a memeber is most welcome!

Didn't realise you were from these 'ere flatlands. There are few of us
from around here that make the occasional foray, so if you ever fancy a
change of company, give a holler.

I've always found Lockwoods to be expensive. Didn't realise they had
membership (or discounts!). Their staff, and especially their boot
fitting, always seem pretty good though.

--
Darren

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

"Peewiglet" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've been looking at rucksacks recently too (tut, tut...) and I went
to a couple of shops today to have a look for some of the sacks
mentioned in the November TGO as best 40-50L sacks.

I find the LA walkabout 45 very comfortable and it's survived several trips
being chucked in and out of the luggage compartment of National Express
coaches so it must be pretty tough. Think that one was recommended in the
test.

seeing as you're the only person I know mad enough to have ever followed
my recommendation before, I'll try again ...

I'm a big fan of my ME 45l Solitude. Nowt fancy, just a good, solid
alpine-style pack. To me the big plus points are

- a real belt that really takes the wright and is v comfortable
- great fit
- a tight-in centre of gravity
- pretty waterproof
- big, extendable top snowlock and lid, which means that it can be
overfilled to make a good 4-season weekend pack or to carry specialist
gear (photo/climbing/etc.)

It is typical alpine though, so if you want pockets (other than top) it
probably isn't the one.

Having tried mine, 2 friends have also bought it. Which is fine, apart
from that when we are all out together we look like a bunch of t*ssers.

--
Darren

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 23:36:47 +0100, Darren G <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm a big fan of my ME 45l Solitude. Nowt fancy, just a good, solid
alpine-style pack. To me the big plus points are

- a real belt that really takes the wright and is v comfortable
- great fit
- a tight-in centre of gravity
- pretty waterproof
- big, extendable top snowlock and lid, which means that it can be
overfilled to make a good 4-season weekend pack or to carry specialist
gear (photo/climbing/etc.)

It is typical alpine though, so if you want pockets (other than top) it
probably isn't the one.

It sounds v. good, but the lack of pockets is a problem for me. I need
pockets of some description for my flask and water. Thanks for the
suggestion, though 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 23:36:47 +0100, Darren G <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm a big fan of my ME 45l Solitude. Nowt fancy, just a good, solid
alpine-style pack. To me the big plus points are

- a real belt that really takes the wright and is v comfortable
- great fit
- a tight-in centre of gravity
- pretty waterproof
- big, extendable top snowlock and lid, which means that it can be
overfilled to make a good 4-season weekend pack or to carry specialist
gear (photo/climbing/etc.)

It is typical alpine though, so if you want pockets (other than top) it
probably isn't the one.

It sounds v. good, but the lack of pockets is a problem for me. I need
pockets of some description for my flask and water. Thanks for the
suggestion, though 🙂

Best wishes,

It's got hydration kit support if you use a platy, and I just stick my
flask inside the main bag and outside my liner. But each to their own
- hope you find a good'un.

--
Darren

In article <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Assistant: "That's fabric - it's Nubuck."
Me: "Nubuck is leather..."
Assistant: "Oh.... well it isn't brown. Most people mean brown boots
when they ask for leather."
Me: "....!?"

The assistant should see my Nubuck leather boots that had lost their
Nubucky look - they've been since waxed several times and can (with not
much effort) shine like glass - or should I say leather!
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

In article <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

After the exchange described above I asked whether they had anyone
trained to help fit boots carefully. The assistant told me she could
measure my foot, if I thought that would help. At that stage I left...
:-)

Assistant (after measuring) ......."It's er....a foot"
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

In article <[email hidden]>, Roy <roy@?.?.invalid> writes

Quoted message said:

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Roy said:

I tend to find assistants in cycle shops know their stuff.

It depends on the cycle shop, just like other outdoor stores. If I buy
a jacket in Braemar Mountain I expect I'll get a more clued in assistant
than if I buy in Blacks. Similarly, if I buy a dynamo in Kinetics I
expect more clueful information than Halfords.

Hmm, thinks. Are Halfords, Blacks and Currys all one chain?

maybe - a bicycle chain!
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

In article <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I went in there a few weeks ago and spent ages chatting with one of
the blokes who works there. I didn't spend any money at all but he
seemed to enjoy talking about the kit and seemed to have experience of
using some of it. He made me think that he knew what he was talking
about. I bet he leaves soon.

Cummon Judith - what red blooded bloke could resist talking with you
for hours ;-)
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hmm, thinks. Are Halfords, Blacks and Currys all one chain?

maybe - a bicycle chain!

Groan...
--
I try to be a good example to my children, but they just see me
as a dire warning.

W. D. Grey said:

what red blooded bloke could resist talking with you
for hours ;-)

One who isn't interested in tents, socks, sandals, sleeping bags or
stoves. Surprisingly, that's quite a large proportion!

Judith

Judith <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

W. D. Grey said:

what red blooded bloke could resist talking with you
for hours ;-)

One who isn't interested in tents, socks, sandals, sleeping bags or
stoves. Surprisingly, that's quite a large proportion!

Judith

Wow! I've found a woman I can resist! ;-)
--
Gordon

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]>
from Judith contained the following:

Quoted message said:

One who isn't interested in tents, socks, sandals, sleeping bags or
stoves. Surprisingly, that's quite a large proportion!

Am I strange? I think women look great in outdoor gear.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

In article <[email hidden]>, Judith
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

One who isn't interested in tents, socks, sandals, sleeping bags or
stoves. Surprisingly, that's quite a large proportion!

You forgot the 4X4 boys :-)
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]>
from Judith contained the following:

Quoted message said:

One who isn't interested in tents, socks, sandals, sleeping bags or
stoves. Surprisingly, that's quite a large proportion!

Am I strange?

Probably, since I'm sure I've seen you pop up in a certain garden
outhouse... ;-)

Quoted message said:

I think women look great in outdoor gear.

OIC, *that* sort of strange!
--
I try to be a good example to my children, but they just see me
as a dire warning.