Ken L

It seems that Africa's cacao production is also being devastated by a virus - a virus that could go global and make chocolate prohibitively expensive.

That's pretty much what I was planning for option one - and of course, these days, floating braid mainlines make such tactics so much easier, and circle hooks will make it safer for the fish.

I have the option to fish a large, deep reservoir for pike in the autumn. This is well outside my comfort zone, but I see two possible approaches. 1. I can drift suspended deadbaits - if so, at what depth? 2. I can pop up large deadbaits on a 4oz lead, walk them around a bay, and twitch them back. Any thoughts?

My back is actually a bit better now, but my knees are knackered.

First visit to the reservoir this year on Thursday. It was colder than expected, and I only managed a couple of fish. The first one fell to a foam spider on the point, and the second to a buzzer pattern. It was my first time fishing an indicator, and it worked perfectly, with me striking at both fish before I felt a pull.

Great fish. As a non-Facebook user, I found it here. https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/news/stories/potential-british-record-roach-landed/

The last one I bought was about four years ago and is a Xiaomi. It does what I need, but it's hardly current tech. I tend to treat stuff like this as disposable. Most will let you play videos and access the web without any issues. Edit: Just be sure to decide weather you want to use a SIM, or just wifi before you buy.

Cheap Android tablets work just as well as an i-pad, but I much prefer a PC plugged into the TV and a wireless keyboard.

The sodium nitrite is what stops you getting a whole body botox.

Butter is definitely a healthier option than margarine, with it's hydrogenated (trans) fats. Been watching the seed oil thing gain momentum for a while, although I haven't really done a deep dive. Does the video go into why they are "bad", or does it just do a general waffle about them being "inflammatory"?

Cold, windy and wet. I think I'll put off my tench foray until next week.

They can't catch the kids that are causing havoc on electric scramblers, so I don't think I've got too much to worry about unless I'm doing 40kph up a hill without pedalling, and they come up behind me. Of the two listed, I like that the Shengmilo only has 3" tyres, but I hate those forks, and I don't really like rear suspension. The Burchda has nice forks and is a solidly built hardtail, but those big 4" tyres are going to attract unwanted attention. I'm still looking for the perfect combination.

I'm stuck between the BURCHDA RX50 and the Shengmilo MX03 - leaning towards the former.

I'm seriously thinking about an e-bike, to make the trips a bit easier. But if I do, it'll be a bit more powerful than is strictly legal. Hey, if it's good enough for the ginger fisherman...

I've had a slight improvement with my back recently, but my knee is still wrecked, and my walking ability is a few tens of meters on a good day, so about the only exercise I can manage is cycling. I honestly thought it was three miles to the pool, but in actually, it was almost five, so I was ruined when I got home. It was however nice to get out and catch a few fish. The skateboard backpack that I ordered from China worked great for the chair, the landing net and the rods, but the bag with the reels, kit and bait was a pain. Hopefully, I've solved that by ordering a chest bag, and I'll put together some very limited kit to keep the weight down. If I can get some exercise, get out of the house and catch a few fish this year, I'll be a happy boy.