Ken L

A shopping trolley is cheaper and has other uses.

I like the mushroom compost idea. A quick check shows it's available in bulk at a reasonable price. Irish peat moss is also available, but the only cheap supplier I could find is collection only from Spalding.

Pulped hay would be a prime candidate for grazon. I ordered my compost from Amazon this year and while it's not peat, it has done okay, when mixed with perlite. My tomatoes and a couple of fruit trees went into these, which are a bit bigger than a builder's bucket. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363133840918

Relieved to see that you haven't kicked the bucket, old fruit. You had us worried for a while! Could your compost be contaminated with Grazon? If there is any chance, chuck it out. Do nor chuck it on the compost heap etc, because it's incredibly persistent.

I was wondering the same thing the other day. It's been a couple of weeks since he signed in. Hopefully all is well.

Terrible news. Condolences to John's friends and family.

Just one more reason why the UK needs a DOGE. Plenty more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Non-departmental_public_bodies_of_the_United_Kingdom_government

Silly question. Is it purely pneumatic, like an air gun, or are those nails propelled by an explosive?

Here you go... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006265455745.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.4.248cXJIqXJIqH2&aem_p4p_detail=202505170346275808975788329560001123920&algo_pvid=5f12297a-209f-4005-9a47-8f25a6a4d616&algo_exp_id=5f12297a-209f-4005-9a47-8f25a6a4d616-3&pdp_ext_f={"order"%3A"1969"%2C"eval"%3A"1"}&pdp_npi=4%40dis!GBP!22.87!11.89!!!212.74!110.60!%402140e67317474787874437084e3625!12000036529366912!sea!UK!716147944!X&curPageLogUid=UX15U0xwYiB7&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch|query_from%3A&search_p4p_id=202505170346275808975788329560001123920_1

I think they're more about feeding with real maggots and having a bait that doesn't get smashed up by small fish before something decent finds it. If you don't want to visit a tackle shop, there are plenty of options. Pellets or breadpunch are always good standbys.

Got a couple of palms in the house, and I'm looking for a Kentia palm. Trouble is that they're expensive as hell and seeds aren't available.

The ability to kill spider plants, jade plants and Christmas cactus is a rare skill. Have you tried an aspidistra? I ordered those slow release clusters for my big houseplants like palms, and they seem to be doing okay on them.

I just got some of these for my potted plants: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135089254072

A lot of his other vids are sped up 64x. This one clearly is too, because you can clearly see the background stars process.

I'd have said that most were aircraft, rather than satellites, as there is a clear radiant point in the lower right and satellites don't leave a heat trail behind them. The moon and planets were pretty obvious. No idea what the large slowly rising object on the right was though.

Sorry to hear that Mrs C has been in the wars, Hopefully she makes a full recovery, and you get to avoid future bum torture.

Sorry for your loss, Steve. I never met either of you, but always enjoyed your posts and reports of the fish-ins and BBQs.

Sony to hear that you've been in the wars, John. A shot knee and neurological problems have left me very limited at times. I've had to use a stick, but never a frame. For me at least, stripping the kit back to the very basics and getting a good chair were key.

I can think of at least three obvious replies, but we don't want to upset Chesters...

A very different talent:

Just ask for a spec sheet.... Lots of super cheap UPS kit on Ali if you're up for the Heath Robinson option, although if you already have the battery, a £10 solar controller and a couple of cheapo panels should cover you - almost all assume a 12v load and have USB outputs.

Weirdly, I've decided that I'm going to install PV solar, a battery and 12v lighting when I finally move house. It'll be LiFePo based, because it's a safe chemistry and give the best bang for a buck. Happy new year yourself.

A UPS is only an option if your cell site/telephone exchange has power. Starlink solves the issue - but at a price.

Wishing all those who occasionally drop by Anglersnet a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Nice to see you're still about, Steve. Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas and a happy new year.