Eddie Stalkperch and Drake Sleepditch PRESENT.....

2013-07-10T16:08:00.001+01:00

Eddie Stalkperch has a Facebook page with cartoon videos.

Burton Hastings to Snarestone

2011-04-18T21:38:00.003+01:00

OK, the route has been changed....and only 3 men paddling.

We are navigating part the Ashby de la Zouch canal

1 Man down due to Easter emergency work commitments.
Change of route due to lack of money due to job loss.

Good 1st trip though, at least something happened so not a complete wash-out!
We also got the chance on slack water to try a few things out.

Click here for the proposed NEW ROUTE or as much of it as we can do.

The bit we did.....
Burton Hastings to Mkt Bosworth & back

Day 1: Friday, Practice in lake and wild camp at Base Camp
Day 2: Saturday, paddle North and wild camp.
Day 3: Sunday, Continue North and wild camp.
Day 4: Monday, paddle South and wild camp.
Day 5: Tuesday, paddle South back to Base Camp 1.

Total = 22 miles

3 men out....3 men in

Dr Deke and his "hmmm, now where did I put that?" look

Base Camp 1

Gimbal kettle

Gimbal kettle and pan

Gimble kettle, pan and BBQ (although BBQ un-gimballed)

1st Wild camp

1st Wild camp the morning after the night before

Pack up your troubles......

like Ducks to water

Oh dear, what do we have here?

oh-noooooo

Cap'n Jack Sparrow.....

....with an umbrella cos it's going to rain

"Oh Danny Boy"

Water in the Sky

~~Water~~ Beer in the Sky

~~Water~~ Beer/s in the Sky

~~Water~~ ~~Beer/s~~ Canoes in the Sky

~~Water~~ ~~Beer/s~~ ~~Canoes~~ cooking in the Sky

~~Water~~ ~~Beer/s~~ ~~Canoes~~ ~~cooking~~ waiting for dinner in the Sky

~~Water~~ ~~Beer/s~~ ~~Canoes~~ ~~cooking~~ ~~waiting for dinner~~ Canal Barge in the Sky

2nd night Wild-camping

Morning after the night before again and heading South

OK, Guys, how do I get into the water?

Oh, I see, with a....

....and a....

....another....

....there ya go, I'm in

Lunch in the sky part 2

OK, I'll cook.....did I mention my heart attack?

Sth again

having more of a bath than I have had for 3 days"

Ay-up mi ducks

3rd Wild-camp

"coo-ee, Mr Sailor"

Oh ek, it's our man Eddie Stalkperch

someone contemplating his navel

all the mod-cons, with a solar-shower/spare water/canoe ballast

Hmmmmm......beeeeeeerrrrrrr

That's about all the photos I have.

My Bro has more on his camera but is away on holiday.

FLAMMA - Making fire with IKEA products

2011-04-12T13:38:00.000+01:00

Helmut Smit is a artist/designer.

This brilliant Ikea Hack "harks back to one of humanity's basic needs: making fire."

Ikea does not sell matches or lighters.

Smits has taken cues from the wartime necessity of burning furniture to keep warm,

and created a fire from an Ikea rope, hanger, wine rack, egg cup, napkins, and floral embellishments.

Dr Joe also says this....

2011-03-12T02:33:00.000+00:00

....but wouldn't ya just love a day out with this Guy?....

"Crazy makes life interesting."

Wild and crazy ideas are always that until you prove they work.

It is good you are keeping an open mind to this. You may consider if you have multiple boats just attach them together and your stability issues are solved. The Polynesians sailed and paddled across the Pacific in open double canoes. If you each had a pole it would be easy to rig a trampoline/hammock across the rig and or even pitch a dome tent above them. It may be good to keep one sailor on lookout in bad weather which would be an option. The weight of the poles and clamps are trivial. Remove the center thwarts and you could comfortably sleep in 2 or 3 hammocks.

I read about kayakers in Vietnam attaching their hulls together and pitching a tent over the top. But they were Crazy, dodging pirates and police to free climb sea stacks.

We use canoes rigged like this with youth that can not walk. If you nose the third canoe in between the other two you could use it for steerage with the tent pitched. Or it could be your escape boat. Bow on the beach this is totally stable. The back canoe would be self leveling as it would still float while tied in.

I don't know about your location but you may find sleeping that close to the water cold and damp. Bring warm sleeping gear.

Some of my favorite stories are about wild ideas. Think; Kontiki, Raa, Tinkerbell, (checking this one out1st) Hannes Lindemann and Joshua Slocum.

You go wild man!

Dr. Joe
Electric Hospital
Coos Bay Or
http://electrichospital.com

Life in a day with Dr. Joe

2011-03-12T02:06:00.000+00:00

Not much for me to say about this

....Dr Joe says it all....

....Enjoy....

....Dr Joe does!....

Up The Creek Without a Cuddle aka The Bermuda Love Triangle

2011-03-11T16:33:00.001+00:00

Canoe Man John Darwin vows to divorce wife for younger woman he begged for sex

John Darwin has been writing to a younger woman begging for sex while vowing to divorce wife Anne.

The Canoe Man, 60, told Lorraine Forbes, 43, from jail he wanted to bed her “daily”. Lorraine said: “The letters were sexual.”

ANNE Darwin leaves jail today no doubt believing she is heading for an emotional reunion with canoe conman husband John.

But the 59-year-old’s dreams of a reconciliation could be in tatters as she finds he has been planning to divorce her for a younger woman.

He had duped his loyal wife of 37 years into believing they would rekindle their marriage after spending nearly three years apart in prison. But the 60-year-old has spent much of that time writing a string of letters to Lorraine Forbes, begging her for sex, which he refers to as “Option 3”.

He also boasts of being something of a “celebrity” in the small town where he now lives after faking his own death at sea in a canoe to swindle thousands of pounds out of insurers.

And he told how he plans to cash in on his notoriety with books on his crime.

Darwin struck up a friendship with jobless Lorraine, 43, from his cell when she started writing to him in February, 2008. Last week, he even sent her a National Express train ticket to ferry her to his side. But at the last minute, Darwin cancelled, telling her he was worried about the press getting wind of their relationship.

Lorraine, who handed us a pile of Darwin’s letters, said: “I don’t know what is in John’s mind, why invite me on Saturday if he knew his wife was coming out. Why send me the ticket down?

“Why would his wife go back to him. How can they live together after everything that has happened?

“I probably don’t mean anything to him, there’s definitely nothing between us now. Our letters were sexual. I care about his feelings and I don’t want to upset him.”

In one recent note to Lorraine, dated February 7, 2011 – after his release – he wrote: “Dear Lorraine, I’m FREE!! Now in every sense of the word. I’m divorcing Anne. There’s little point in remaining ‘married’ if she is adamant in going her own way. I need someone for company, to talk to, do things together, share experiences and for my daily medicine of your ‘Option 3’.”

Despite telling Anne he would wait for her on the outside as she completes her six and a half year sentence at Askham Grange prison near York, Darwin said to Lorraine, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, he wanted a “long-term relationship” with her.

He added: “Life is too short. We may as well enjoy ourselves before it is too late...you never know you may enjoy living with me.” His letters were written from different jails around the North and in them he sets his sights on bedding Lorraine.

Prisoner A1323AC told her he has a “high sex drive... always have and always will have.”

He begged her to visit him once freed with promises of “daily sex” and “deep massages”. One letter, dated October 20, 2010, discussed their potential first night together. Lorraine had provided him with “three wishes” – or options – for the evening.

Option one;was a meal,two a trip to the cinema,
and three an early night, innuendo for sex.

Darwin wrote: “I don’t think I could manage only one of your option (3).
Perhaps it should be as follows. 3, 3, 1, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3...
I’m sure that would fill one day!!
I’m all for helping you with your heating bills.” He also gave 17-stone Lorraine diet tips, writing:
“Option (3) is a great way to tone up the body and burn up calories.
Quite possibly the best diet invented!!! I can hardly wait.”

Darwin also promised to teach Lorraine various “techniques” in bed.

In another, he wrote: “At least you are the same height as me, makes it easier for you to plant those full luscious lips on me.

“I’m presuming you would rather kiss me than an envelope; you can always wear lipstick and leave lip tracks over my body. I’m excited at the thought!!!”

Once freed, Darwin told her he and his new home in Easington Colliery, Co Durham were missing a “woman’s touch”. He added: “If you think you can make a difference to my life, then for goodness sake tell me, and I will arrange for you to come.”

The fraudster told Lorraine he had already got her a dressing gown for her visits. Darwin added: “I bought a ‘towelling’ one which should fit you.”

He revealed he always “sleeps naked” in his king-size bed. Darwin wrote: “As for ‘straight indoors for non-stop sex’, I’ll let you take your coat off first!! I think you will learn a few new positions and I will be surprised if you don’t enjoy the experience. I can be a good teacher.

“But I may make you practice until you get it right.”

Darwin admitted he was penniless, other than £10 in his pocket, and would live on state handouts.

Speaking of his “celebrity” status in the town, he said: “Everyone in this community (thousands of people) know me, smile, say hello, shake my hand whenever I go to the shop, doctors, library, for a walk.”

In another note, he boasts: “It seems everyone mentions me. I’m part of quizzes and on TV shows and papers. One day it will end. Soon I hope.”

Speaking of his planned books, Darwin told Lorraine they would be called Panama & Back, The Other Side of the Door and the Temples of the Gods series, which he plans to write himself.

He said in one letter: “I imagine they will be published, they are all interesting with twists which nobody but myself knows about nor will until the final publication.” He also hinted at wanting to write an adult themed Indiana Jones-style fiction.

Anne was planning to go back to County Durham from jail to meet up with her husband today.

The couple were locked up for fraud after their elaborate 2002 hoax to cash in on life insurance as they faced crippling debts at their home in Seaton Carew.

Five years later he turned up claiming to have suffered amnesia. In fact he had been living a secret life, first in a bedsit adjoining the family home and then in Panama.

Anne even duped their own grown-up sons Mark and Anthony into believing their dad was dead and put them through the heartache of a “funeral”. She claimed she was an unwilling participant in her husband’s schemes but she still raked in more than £600,000 in life insurance and pension payouts after his “death” and started a new life with him in central America.

She was described as a compulsive liar in court and got the longer sentence. Her husband was jailed for six years, three months.

Despite having property and cash seized by police, it recently emerged the couple have £500,000 of assets still in Anne’s name in Panama – well out of reach of the UK authorities.

But in light of his flirting with another woman, former prison officer Darwin may struggle to get hold of any cash.

Timeline

MARCH 21, 2002: John Darwin, then 51, vanishes while canoeing off Seaton Carew, Hartlepool.

MARCH 22, 2002: Coastal search launched. Shattered remains of Darwin’s kayak wash up on the beach several weeks later.

MARCH, 2003: Anne Darwin marks first anniversary of husband’s “death”, taking flowers to beach.

SEPTEMBER 2007: Cleveland police reopen their investigation after receiving new information.

OCTOBER 2007: Anne tells her sons she is moving to Panama.

DECEMBER 1, 2007: John walks into a police station in London. He says: “I think I am a missing person.” He claims to have amnesia.

DECEMBER 5, 2007: John is arrested at his son’s home on suspicion of fraud. The Mirror uncovers a photo showing the Darwin's with an estate agent in Panama.

DECEMBER 8, 2007: John is charged. Police say they want to question Anne, who is still abroad.

DECEMBER 9, 2007: Anne is arrested as she arrives back in the UK.

DECEMBER 17, 2007: Police say the Darwins’ two sons are innocent. The pair declare they want no more contact with their parents.

MARCH 15, 2008: John pleads guilty to seven charges of obtaining cash by deception.

JULY 14, 2008: Anne’s trial begins. She denies six charges of deception and nine of using criminal property.

JULY 23, 2008: Anne is found guilty of helping her husband fake his own death and is sentenced to six-and-a-half years. John gets six years and three months.

JANUARY 20, 2011: John is released and rents a house in Easington Colliery, Co Durham.

MARCH 9, 2011: Anne’s release date from Askham Grange jail, Yorks.

Pacific On Alert After Tsunami Hits Japan

2011-03-11T13:11:00.001+00:00

1:03pm UK, Friday March 11, 2011

David Connolly, Sky News Online

The US islands of Hawaii and nations across the Pacific ocean are bracing themselves after a tsunami warning was extended across the region.

The US West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre said that any tsunami generated by the earthquake off the coast of Japan would hit Hawaii at around 2.45am (12.45pm GMT) and the US West Coast at 7.45am (3.45pm GMT).

Sky News US correspondent Robert Nisbet in the Hawaii resort of Wakiki said that some people were being told to move inland and others urged to move to the upper floor of buildings in case a tsunami hits.

"We understand that on Oahu there are 30,000 people in unsafe areas who are being told to move half a mile inland," he said.

"But what are talking about here in Wakiki is a vertical evacuation. There are a lot of skyscrapers here, a lot of hotels that sit along the Pacific coast. They are asking people who are below the third floor to move above the third floor and listen to the radio and TV for instructions.

"We have just been down to the shops ourselves to pick up some water and supplies and there are a lot of people down there."

Civil defence sirens were sounded statewide shortly before 10pm local time to alert residents. The tsunami warning said that all islands in the Hawaiian chain were in the path of potential damage.

Heavy traffic and long lines at petrol stations were reported on Oahu as residents tried to begin their journeys inland.

As residents prepared for the possible tsunami, a 4.5 magnitude quake hit Hawaii's Big Island, about 30 miles southeast of Hilo.

A Portage Trolley for nothing, All pics and words are © of Mike Wood

2011-03-07T21:33:00.001+00:00

I liked this so much we made one ourselves.

It's funny too : )

Mike Wood - December 2004

(All pics © Mike Wood)

With the “real thing” costing up to £100, and with annual use to cross no more than 500 metres of soft sand, I thought that a bit of work with an angle grinder would transform an old golf trolley into a passable replica of the nifty bits of engineering that were on show at Perth a few weeks ago.

The golf trolley was donated by a friend. Luckily I live in Scotland, where almost everybody plays the dreadful game! The tyres were knackered, which was the only reason he chucked it out - apparently a new set of tyres cost more than the trolley, and, being a Scot, he “retired” it. As you can see, it folds up quite neatly (if you’re putting it in a Volvo), but the possibilities are obvious.

The first cut....

Out with the cutting tools, then, and off with the handle and the bit that reaches to the ground to hold the back of the bag. I was left with the bit in the middle, which consists of 2 folding legs with wheels, the “spine” with a bracket for the legs, a cradle, 2 bracing rods and the mechanism that locks it all together. The tyres were, as you can see, a bit beyond redemption, so they came off as well.

Support Vee

The “bit that reaches to the ground” has a V-shaped bracket on it that secures the golf bag. Cut the bracket off the tube. This is now drilled in the centre and a corresponding hole drilled in the bracket that holds the ends of the wheel “legs”.
A “whizzpin” holds the whole lot together and won’t fall out. It does have some “flex” however - if you don’t like that, and don’t need to dismantle this part to stow it, you might prefer to bolt it loosely enough to allow it to swivel for easier stowage - a spring washer would help here. Two bits of the discarded handle were crushed in the vise enough to slip over the ends of the V-bracket. These were hammered on tight and wrapped with foam padding. Pipe insulation works well enough. A luggage strap was passed through the whole lot - do this before finally force-fitting the pipes to the bracket. This is the “rear end” or main support “Vee” complete.

These are called "whizzpins" in my business,
although some call them "pip pins" and others "quick release pins"

The Whizzpins are an unusual item, but can be sourced from Light Aerospares (www.LightAero.co.uk) but be warned - they ain’t cheap.

Front Cradle.

The front cradle was left almost untouched. I wanted to use wider straps than it was designed for, so widened the slots in the brackets using a Dremel cutter, although a file would do the job - eventually. The webbing cushion strap that runs between the brackets was padded using bits of old closed cell foam sleeping mat, glued on. Similar luggage straps as used on the Vee were passed through the slots. This is the “front end” bracket complete, and serves to prevent the front of the trolley from contacting the hull, as well as steadying the whole trolley fore-and-aft.

Anti-Spreading Strap.
The geometry of the original trolley was designed to carry about 25kgs (in my bit of Scotland this equates to 3 clubs, 2 secondhand balls and several cases of McEwans). To avoid the legs doing the splits, I used one of the original straps, taken around and under the ends of the bracing rods and pulled tight.

This makes a flexible “tie-bar” that keeps everything in the right place but doesn’t get in the way when folding.

Essentially, that’s as far as you might want to go. I took things several stages further because the original legs were a little long. This raises the C of G enough to make the trolley/kayak combo a little unstable if moving over steep and/or very rough surfaces/boulders/beach litter/beer cans. You may prefer to shorten the legs by 6” or so, which I did, and is the set-up seen below

This also means cutting the bracing rods and reforming the bend that holds them into the legs. Take care with this, ‘coz if you get the length wrong the wheels won’t be square to the kayak centreline and it’ll be harder to pull (not to mention wearing out the centres of the plastic wheels). I cut the legs off at the “top”, so leaving the holes in the right place for the bracing rods. You will need to drill new holes to reattach the legs to the Support Vee using suitable bolts. I used 2 Whizzpins to hold the legs in position, and those with storage problems might want to keep this arrangement to allow the legs to be quickly removed - tie the pins to something though...

The wheels are removable using the neat “squeeze-release” lugs on the axle - this was the main reason that I used this particular trolley. You may find that your wheels have worn a bit and wobble on the axle - a bit of Teflon tape wrapped around the axle will take up the slack and can be replaced as it slowly wears out. Don’t use grease - it’ll pick up sand and wear out even quicker. Having failed to confirm the price of new tyres (nobody seems to sell ‘em), I fixed 2 strips of 2mm rubber around the wheels with double sided carpet tape. It’s only there to reduce wear on the plastic wheel rims and make it a bit quieter to use. If you’re going to use the rig on really soft ground, you might think about fixing a wider “tyre” made of some suitable flexible material - steamed marine ply might do the job.

Folding
The rest is just cosmetic really. I gave all the metal a good coat of Hammerite to defend against salt water, and sprayed all the bearing surfaces with WD40. As you can see from the photos, once the wheels are removed the level of “breakdown” that you need to go to will be decided by the size of your hatch.

The basic folded frame will sit neatly on top of the rear deck, but with the Vee cradle removed and legs uncoupled from the bracing rods, it will fit through a 6” hatch, but the wheels won’t - but they do float.

The trolley is designed to sit under the rear hull, and you will have to adjust the angle of the Vee support to conform to the contours of your boat. That’s it! Apart from the initial unseemly grovelling to obtain the timex-ed trolley, it cost me absolutely nothing - all the bits came from the shed.

For those who haven’t accumulated a garage full of bits and pieces like me, you’ll find most of the extra components in your local DIY superstore. The Whizzpins are an unusual item, but can be sourced from Light Aerospares (www.LightAero.co.uk) but be warned - they ain’t cheap. If I find a cheap source for tyres, I’ll post at a later stage - or if anyone out there knows I’d be grateful.
Mike Wood - December 2004

(Editors note: The "whizzpins" Mike uses (or something similar) are also used by Kari-Tec for their kayak loader - they might be prepared to sell them separately?)

I will put ours on here when they're complete, but looking rather good now.

Launch day was Sunday 6 March 2011

2011-03-07T10:41:00.000+00:00

OK, 1st "car topping"

....All ship-shape and Bristol fashion....

....I had a problem with the "Easy Fit" Mont Blank roof rack....

....So I got another set from Halfords....

....tight lines....

....and a nice fit....

....as per the "plan"....

....I checked my nuts as per fishery rules....

....The nice guy David Callington from here let us use his fishing lake....

....Thank you David....

....a nice little launching bay....

....I thought better!!!!....

....and did it "My Way....

....we had a nice little paddle....

....just like Ducks to water....

....being so brave and so far away from land....

All went quite well till I "fell" in..... I think I was pushed though!

~ Eddie ~

OK, so not everything in life runs this smoothly!!!!

2011-03-06T16:07:00.000+00:00

100% credit for Mrs Stalkperch for 1st of all capturing this "wonderful" moment

and secondly for not laughing......................

..................well that is until she was out of earshot!

....GIT....

....Not only do I need BIGGER pants....

I need a BIGGER boat....

....a rather damp and cold Eddie smiles secretly for at least having built a canoe from scratch....

Launch day.....Saturday 5th March 2011

2011-03-02T22:00:00.001+00:00

Launch day

....all being well....

....We are looking at Saturday afternoon....

....about beer-o-clock....

....2 new canoes on the water....

....Will up-date if need be....

Rory Gallagher vs Marty McFly

2011-03-02T14:53:00.000+00:00

Rory Gallagher vs Marty McFly

Johhny B. Goode

"Idea of that vid came to my mind when listened for the first time Rory Gallagher.

He performed 'Johnny B. Goode' at St. Wendel, Bosenbachstadion, 7/07/84.

Great audience record. Unfortunately, there no video.

And as my best favorite musician is Rory Gallagher and my best favor movie is 'Back To The Future' with pure genius actor Michael J.Fox, I tried to mix the Michael BTTF footage with a Rory track. Good or bad is it in the way you'll see..

Just one remark. I did try to show all my love to both great people of the world Rory and Michael through this little collage movie!

Criticism are welcome :)"

RoryJim

"Nice one Rory,

nice one son,

nice one Rory,

let's have another one"

....Now, back to the Rory....

"I don't like Cricket"...The famous Bruce French

2011-03-02T14:30:00.002+00:00

Full name Bruce Nicholas French

Born August 13, 1959, Warsop, Nottinghamshire

Current age 51 years 201 days

Major teams England, Nottinghamshire

Batting style Right-hand bat

Fielding position Wicketkeeper

Test Debut v India at Leeds - Jun, 1986

ODi Debut v England at Chandigarh - Jan, 1985

A top wicketkeeper in his prime, Bruce French spent two tours as understudy to Paul Downton before being given his chance behind the stumps in 1986.

Made 16 test appearances and kept Jack Russell out of the team for almost two years on wicketkeeping merit alone.

He was renowned for being an injury prone player, he missed matches through being bitten by a dog, contracting chicken pox from his daughter, and was once knocked over by a car while on the way to hospital to be treated for concussion, having earlier in the day been hit on the head by a ball thrown by a spectator.

....BUT what he is REALLY Famous for....

....introducing me to Rory Gallagher....

....Cheers Bruce....

~~~~

Rory Gallagher:

2 March 1948 ~ 14 June 1995

....Yes, it's today....

Happy Birthday Rory

R.I.P.

....My Tribute....

....and His best track EVER!!!!....

Dry bag cooler day pack combo

2011-02-17T22:54:00.001+00:00

Dry bag cooler-day pack combo

....This is the same principal as mine....

I love it when a plan comes together.
http://www.solotripping.com/communit...4394#post24394

Ingredients:
One Sealine Baja 10 dry bag
One cheapo foam sleeping pad
One daypack

Recipe:
Cut one 11 ¼” x 22 ½” rectangle and one 25 3/8” x 11 ¼” rectangle from the foam pad.

Cut one 7” circle and one 8” circle from the pad. I actually used scraps of ¾ minicell for the smaller circle and ½ minicell exercise for the larger circle, but all of this can be cut from a foam sleeping pad with lots of leftover (probably enough to insulate a second bag).

The smaller rectangle and circle are sized to use as removable interior insulation/padding; just stuff the 7” circle in on the bottom, coil the 11 ¼ x 22 ½ rectangle into a stovepipe, insert it in the bag and let it go. Reverse that process for easy-out rinsing or cleaning of the dry bag innards.

This Baja 10 bag is going to be a dedicated cooler, and I have a little room to play with in the daypack*, so the larger rectangle gets contact cemented around the outside of the bag and the larger circle glued to the bottom. Double insulated and I can remove the inner foam for more capacity, or remove the whole double insulated thing and have an empty day pack to use.

Time to test load the pack*. Just for demonstration purposes you understand, using whatever is handy, into the insulated Baja bag go ten 12oz cans of Yuengling Chesterfield (with room here and there for ice). Remove the inner sleeve and it’ll hold even more if needed.

*The pack. I had very specific criteria for the pack size and style. Ideally something with a compartment width and height sized not too much bigger than the dry bag’s outer foam sleeve diameter, with a drawstring/flap top opening for easy access (and fewer critical zippers) and a couple of exterior pockets for miscellaneous small gear. And, what the heck, padded shoulder straps.

Back into the bowels of the fabulously funky and chaotic H&H I go with the Baja 10 bag in hand
http://www.solotripping.com/communit...3731#post23731

I show Clyde what I want to do and he leads me to a couple of flap-top daypacks that will work. Almost; this one is a little too big, this one a little too pricey…

But, hung way up high we find the perfect (dusty) candidate. Quick-release buckle flap top with inner drawstring, big pocket on the back and another thinner pocket on the top flap. And it’s urethane coated on the inside. It’s as close to perfect as I could ask.

I check for the price and now it’s perfect. It has no packaging, no manufacturer tags or pricing. It has dust, and a handwritten price tag on a piece of scrap paper.

Perfect and cheap.

FWIW it’s an “Outbound”, and the company is still is business
http://outbound.ca/

I’m thinking that a doublewall insulated, airtight cooler bag oughta stay cold for a long, long time.

Construction photos
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/577033847nxZZUf

I like it, and I have enough leftover foam to eventually make the beta model after some, um, field testing.

It's a D.I.Y. version of an ice-mule>>>>

Rory Gallagher Wanigan/Freezer 10 DAY COOL TEST

2011-02-17T17:55:00.003+00:00

My Rory Gallagher Wanigan Cool-Box.

....can you see a theme?....

....But 1st, a joke....

A blonde walks into a store.

Curious about a shiny object, she asks, "What is that?"
The store clerk responds, "It's a thermos."
The blonde then asks, "What does it do?"
The clerk says "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold." So she buys one.
The next day, she brings it to work with her. Her boss, also a blond, asks, "What is that shiny object?"
She replies "It's a thermos."
He asks, "What does it do?"
She says, "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold."
He then asks, "What do you have in there?"
"Two cups of coffee and an ice-cream."

....OK, 1st you cut off the back or the front of a perfectly good canoe"

....then you put a back on it.... to make it into a rather short square ended canoe....

....well about 10' 6" shorter than the original....

....undercoat and paint it....

....yep, black, just like Henry Ford,

who ironically, gave Rory Gallagher a job in his song "going to my home-town"

....I made some waterslide decals of an amplifier used by Rory way back in time,
or so I'm told!, and here it is....

....I am in the process of lining it to keep things cool in there....

....The lining was;

2 x 5mm layers of closed cell pink expansion-gap foam.

1 x 10mm layer of foil covered sleeping mat

....so all in all 20mm of insulation with a foil covering....

I used some foil tape to cover the plywood lid and I

also glued some 10mm foil covered sleeping mat to the inside.

For the test I put inside:

2 x 2L bottles frozen water,

4 x 1/2L bottles frozen water,

4 x frozen ice-packs,

with room to spare and "filled" with air-gaps.

The temp went to -22*C but this quickly went to around
-7.6*C then with a steadily rise to +3.5*C over the 10 day trial.

....I got a temperature probe and will fill the box with bottles of frozen water and time it to see how long it stays cold for and will post the results here, see below.

....Now the "old back" of the canoe is now tucked away under the front of the canoe.

The wooden wedge keeps it nice and tight and "locks" it in place under a short thwart under the front deck.

It also can be filled with a foam block/air-bag/balloon and used as extra buoyancy/flotation....

10 DAY TEST

Day 1....7.6* below freezing

Day 2....0.2* below freezing

Day 3....0.1* below freezing

Day 4....0.0* freezing

Day 5....0.0* freezing

Day 6....0.1* above freezing

Day 7 away

Day 8 away

Day 9 away

Day 10 = 3.5* = & still cold enough for food & beer

The above test was done in an integral garage with an average temp of +10*C

The box was not opened during the test to replicate the opening during the trip of at least once a day but will do another test to replicate this too and also do this with a warmer ambient temperature.

I was going to make a Spinal Tap Wanigan but thought better of it, although mine goes up to eleven too!!!!

Rory Gallagher Decking

2011-02-17T16:47:00.002+00:00

I went to B&Q today and I said to the guy in there "I want decking"....

so he hit me right between the eyes.

Well I'm so sorry about the pathetic joke,

I just got a little excited for a while and forgot where I was.

....OK the front deck pictures....

....Themed on Rory Gallagher's....

....with "MY" version of 3 Colour Sunburst....

....A new Fender Stratocaster in 3 Colour Sunburst....

....and how I made mine....

....I made some waterslide decals....

....dipped them in warm water....

....slid them onto the deck....

....and when dry, sprayed over with some "Plasti-koat" acrylic varnish....

....it is the antiquated look I was after....

....I think I achieved it....

....but not as good as this....

Rock on Rory

I hope you like my little tribute?

Eddie

Was it really a Canoe and not a Kayak?

2011-02-10T20:14:00.000+00:00

CANOE wife Anne Darwin will walk away from prison with a £500,000 fortune,
thanks to a blunder by British lawyers.

Up the Creek Without a Paddle: The True Story of John and Anne Darwin: The Man Who 'Died' and the Wife Who Lied

UK authorities insisted she and husband John would never profit from their fake death scam.

But a Sun investigation in Panama has discovered she is about to pocket ALL the cash they salted away in the Central American bolthole, and nothing can be done to stop her.

The Darwins' assets in Britain were frozen by a Proceeds of Crime hearing.

But the Crown Prosecution Service admits the same legal move was NOT made in Panama - where the pair have £144,000 in three HSBC accounts, a £62,000 flat and a plot of land worth £232,000.

Lawyers felt it was unnecessary as Mrs Darwin, 58, agreed to repay all the cash at Leeds Crown Court in 2009.

But Rosendo Miranda, one of Panama's top criminal lawyers, said it was "remarkable" they were trusting her. He said: "The normal course would be to initiate proceedings here to stop her accessing her assets.

"If no petition has been made, she is entitled to the money in her accounts and her other assets. It's a big mistake."

The CPS said it was "pursuing" a request for HSBC to repatriate the cash.

But international trade expert Dr Hugh Metcalf of Newcastle University warned: "HSBC are not going to give away the money unless they are ordered to. If Mrs Darwin ever makes a claim on that money she could make life very difficult."

The Darwins made £679,194 from pensions and life insurance payouts after Mr Darwin, 60, faked his death in a canoeing accident in 2002. They moved to Panama, but were jailed after returning home in 2007. Mr Darwin was freed last month. Mrs Darwin is due out next month.

r.perrie@the-sun.co.uk

Maiden Voyage of one Canoe

2011-02-03T23:28:00.000+00:00

1st time out....

....not a proper launch though....

....but it's getting closer....

From 19st 1 1/2lb to 16st..............ish in 111 days!

2011-02-03T23:11:00.001+00:00

My oh my....

....Eddie is a BIG Boy....

....but getting smaller day by day....

....already 10lb less....

....and more than £10 saved on chocolate, crisps and bacon butties etc....

....eating fruit like a Gorilla though....

Allen Carr's Easyweigh to Lose Weight

....Allen Carr helped me stop smoking too....

Stop Smoking Now

....Yup, the Easy Way....

....KEEPING WELL AWAY FROM THIS BOOK THOUGH....

The Easy Way to Stop Drinking

....There is more to life than quitting, and I aint a quitter!....

Prototype Gimbal Cooker TAKE 1 with video!!!!

2011-02-03T23:05:00.001+00:00

This is my 1st "working" prototype....

....it's made from industrial pipe clips....

....for a 1st attempt, it's pretty good....

....more work required though....

....I need a vice, what a time to give up smoking!

....getting fit for this expedition....

Eddie

Get knotted.............yes, all of ya

2011-01-25T20:41:00.001+00:00

I found this website here ....

....Its all about tying boat knots....

....it's really handy....

....but that's only my opinion....

....Eddie....

Allen Carr

2011-01-24T21:41:00.001+00:00

You know Allen Carr?....

....no, not him....

....him....

....he wrote this book....

....I gave up smoking on the 19th May 2010....

....yes, by using this book........well on a CD actually....

....Well he's also written this book....

....and I'm going to give it a try....

....It has something in it about a Gorilla & a Squirrel....

....I do hope they're not on the diet sheet!....

....Eddie likes his food....

....but then, so did this Guy....

"Ohmmmmmmm............elettttt".

...."Yeah baby!"....

Gone fishin'.........back at dark thirty!

2011-01-22T22:58:00.000+00:00

If it appears that I am ignoring your e-mail….

It’s most likely because I am;

>< (( ‘ < Busy Fishin’ > ‘ )) ><

>< (( ‘ < Thinkin’ bout Fishin’ > ‘ )) ><

>< (( ‘ < Talkin’ bout Fishin’ > ‘ )) ><

>< (( ‘ < Readin’ bout Fishin’ > ‘ )) ><

_¸.•´¯`•.¸ >< (( ‘< OR I'd just rather be Fishin' ¸.•´¯`•.¸_ >< (( ‘<

River Witham Canoe and Camp Expedition 2011 22 April ~ 29 April

2011-01-19T21:50:00.003+00:00

To excited for words....

....so here is a picture....

....Eddie and the crew....

Canoeists....Camera Crew....Transport Crew....Backup Crew

2011-01-18T17:16:00.008+00:00

We are hoping to raise some well deserved money for a charity whilst we do this

5-6 day canoe/wild camp event.

Details will be posted here soon so keep popping back.

We will be posting photos as we go on Google Earth/Maps on Facebook and on here too.

If you would like to sponsor us as a business and would like us to include your website and also put some small-ish stick-on badges on the canoes, please contact us.

We are also looking for;

Dried rations

Fresh water

Disposable BBQ's

Dry suits

Muck boots

Flotation Jackets

Most things for Canoeing or Camping

etc, etc

Canoeists so far;

Eddie Stalkperch
Drake Sleepditch
"Desperate" Dan Cheerfull
Pav

Camera Crew;

Sadie Depthclerk

Transport Crew;

Your Name Here

Backup Crew;

Your Name Here

People who have unwittingly helped us already: