What preps are you doing this week? Part 3.

[Yorkshire Andy]

Joined a local gym & swim & classes. Bargain at £22 per month. Now to make use of them
Next is to join an inclusive (for people with disabilites) cycling class in York to get me back on my bike. I'm told they'll probably start me on a trike

Look on the CTC website they assist disabled riders.

Also ask about SPD pedals and shoes the shoes have a cleat that snaps into the pedal binding allowing you to pull up the pedal as well as push down with one leg

[Hedgie]

Planning to half the garage space as its only being used for 'junk' (or tools and equipment which may be needed according to other half).
False wall put up and storage/utility space for me - Man Cave in the rest of the space for himself.
(I will have access to the roof space as well - so loads of plans for that).
Going to have a major clear out of old summer clothes that I have been meaning to 'get back into' for the last 5 years and deluding myself. That should free up half the wardrobe and most of the drawers so I can put stuff away that's been sitting on top of the dresser for months.
Hedgerow walk this weekend and see what I can collect to preserve (have been away for two weeks so a bit behind in collecting). Blackberries look good at the moment.
Last weekend chore is to try and 'find' the allotment - having been away on hols its like a jungle so major weeding project to find the veggies!!
Not too Busy Then !!

[ukpreppergrrl]

The Japanese water stones have arrived! I figured I needed to keep my new axe and knives sharp, so it's about time I learned how to do this properly. Have tried sharpening a few knives (culinary and bushcraft), think they might be blunter than when I started This is going to take practice!

[junmist]

The Japanese water stones have arrived! I figured I needed to keep my new axe and knives sharp, so it's about time I learned how to do this properly. Have tried sharpening a few knives (culinary and bushcraft), think they might be blunter than when I started This is going to take practice!

Once you get the hang of it you will find it very therapeutic. I love sharping tools

[Jan Smits]

...
Once you get the hang of it you will find it very therapeutic. I love sharping tools

I hope so. I've had a go at a few knives but have never convinced myself they were sharper afterwards. Just treated myself to a Morakniv, not one of the expensive ones, but I want to keep it in good nick all the same. May practise a bit before I do anything with that one.

Other new toys this week: Mini-sawyer, Trangia stove, and a wind-up radio. The filter goes without saying, the stove I thought about for a while as I wanted something off-grid for home. I already have a mini I use when out and about, and it seems a sensible choice as now I have two burners and a choice of pan size.

I'm particularly pleased with the radio as it charges a phone too. I'll be off in the wilds next week, for longer than my phone usually keeps its charge, and though the hand crank is a bit tedious, it does up the charge fairly quickly, which I find ok for occasional use.

[Yorkshire Andy]

...
Once you get the hang of it you will find it very therapeutic. I love sharping tools

I hope so. I've had a go at a few knives but have never convinced myself they were sharper afterwards. Just treated myself to a Morakniv, not one of the expensive ones, but I want to keep it in good nick all the same. May practise a bit before I do anything with that one.

Other new toys this week: Mini-sawyer, Trangia stove, and a wind-up radio. The filter goes without saying, the stove I thought about for a while as I wanted something off-grid for home. I already have a mini I use when out and about, and it seems a sensible choice as now I have two burners and a choice of pan size.

I'm particularly pleased with the radio as it charges a phone too. I'll be off in the wilds next week, for longer than my phone usually keeps its charge, and though the hand crank is a bit tedious, it does up the charge fairly quickly, which I find ok for occasional use.

http://www.alloutdoor.co.uk/equipment/k ... Ak5u8P8HAQ

I like this had it a few years it works well


As for powering your phone look into a power bank

[Jan Smits]

Not too worried about the phone, I usually take the battery out while I'm wandering around, just need to be able to send a text message once I'm headed back to civilisation.

I'm kind of old school about knives so want to master sharpening on a stone. Getting the angle right is a worry, so a gizmo that can return the blade to a usable state is probably a wise investment. Recommendations always appreciated - thanks!

[Yorkshire Andy]

I do have a Whitby steel but for a quick hassle free resharpen the gatco takes a few seconds to touch a blade up

[Deeps]

Not too worried about the phone, I usually take the battery out while I'm wandering around, just need to be able to send a text message once I'm headed back to civilisation.

I'm kind of old school about knives so want to master sharpening on a stone. Getting the angle right is a worry, so a gizmo that can return the blade to a usable state is probably a wise investment. Recommendations always appreciated - thanks!

I don't know about you but my phone is also my music etc too so even if I'm out of range of a mobile signal I like to have it powered up. You can also play games etc if you're bored, I always have at least one power bank (and usually more), both phones and a lot of power banks also double up as torches. Whatever works for you, you maybe want to escape mobile phones when you're off in the wilds.

[Jan Smits]

I do have a Whitby steel but for a quick hassle free resharpen the gatco takes a few seconds to touch a blade up

Cheers Yorkshire Andy

I don't know about you but my phone is also my music etc too so even if I'm out of range of a mobile signal I like to have it powered up. You can also play games etc if you're bored, I always have at least one power bank (and usually more), both phones and a lot of power banks also double up as torches. Whatever works for you, you maybe want to escape mobile phones when you're off in the wilds.

No maybe about it. Detaching from electronic devices is a major part of the whole thing. Bored in the wilds? No danger. If I got away more often I might want more distractions and contact. This is my escape from city life, so peace, quiet and seeing water or green as far as as the horizon are what I'm after.

I've got the radio which will get me a weather report. Yeah I could be looking up online reports which would be more informative, but I'm prepared for bad weather anyway. There's a built-in torch which is pretty blinding, but I'll have other torches as I'll be going into some caves and stuff later on.