Varied Interests

In message , Peter A Forbes writes

Sex, drugs, rock-n-roll?

The first and third at any rate, and the second if you count alcohol - although I find precious little time for anything except the beer these days :-(

I work for a small ISP in my day job - we can do just about anything ourselves with the exception of a newsfeed and dialups. We can provide those too via third parties. We specialise in web hosting, co-location hosting and data-driven web sites, particularly Cold Fusion (all versions from 4.5 to 7). We provide all our own infrastructure (such as DNS, mail, routing and bandwidth). We resell to a number of other firms and businesses.

My interests are many and varied - I like good food and cooking, engineering, reading, travel, DIY, music, swimming (Atlantic surf is favourite), cycling, industrial history and archaeology, and military history of the last century. I'm a great fan of the Sharpe books but my knowledge of the Peninsular Wars is entirely gleaned from them. I speak, read and write French with reasonable accuracy, due to a five-year sojourn in that country in the early 80's. Unfortunately, I currently seem to work an eighty or ninety hour week and I don't have a great deal of time on my hands. Couple that with the demands of a young family (son, 11, and two daughters, 7) and I'm amazed that I manage to do anything :-)

Regards

Pete

"Peter A Forbes" wrote

Other interests, let's see..

Part-time farming (sheep and poultry), with the emphasis on providing wildlife habitat rather than production. 5 acres of woodland (by a contractor, time constraints again) planted this Winter, several kms of hedgerow restored over the years, farm managed in a non-intensive way to the benefit of wildlife. We enjoy the interest of breeding our Derbyshire Gritstone ewes, which are a rare breed these days. Jeni is the poultry breeder, with several hundred rare-breed chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl and ducks. I don't know how many individual breeds she raise, but there must be about fifteen.

Rough shooting (pest control around the farm, dang varmints!), no doubt the soi-disant wags amongst you will see a conflict with wildlife management here, but for the thoughtful and knowledgable person, this is not the case.

I used to spend a lot of time caving on Mendip and in South Wales, though have done very little for a long while as the farm soaks up a lot of time. I should make the effort an do some more, but never seem to manage it apart from a few small outings on Mendip. The underground world is a fascinating, exciting and very beautiful place.

The same applies to hill walking, last time I was up a real mountain was the Snowdon Horseshoe with a foot of snow in about '92. Walking around the flock and gathering them, is as much walking as I do now, again due to time constraints.

In general I'm an enthusiast for those parts of the country's heritage that are worth keeping, be it natural, industrial or architectural. If an organisation is doing work I consider to be valuable, I do try to contribute financially. I am a great fan of the National Trust. To narrow the focus to our special interest I have made (modest, I admit) financial contributions to Internal Fire and the Anson. I would exhort others to do the same. The people involved put in amazing efforts for precious little reward, and seem to be taken for granted by lots of folk. If you're too tight to make a donation, at the very least go and visit and support them with your entrance fee!

Other than the foregoing, I have a love of money, beautiful women, loud music and alcohol. Sadly, I never see much of the first two and the latter pair give me a headache. C'est la vie!

Regards, Arthur G

Hmmm, I reckon I'm just a techonology freak.....I like all sorts of infernal combustion engines, preferably two stroke, electronics, as long its got valves, motorbikes, cycling, tilley lamps, you get the idea. Oh, and of course photography. I'm happy to use digital, but prefer my Olympus OM1 and OM2. Perhaps I really *am* a closet luddite, or maybe its just that I don't think what is new is automatically better. Like Arthur, I believe in trying to support our heritage, so much of which would be swept away in an instant were it not for the efforts of various organisations. Beautiful women? Yes please, but if you drink too much alcohol they all start to look beautiful

Regards

Philip T-E

All sorts of old rubbish , including IC engines, mining/minerals and fishing. Talking of which it would help me with a project if anyone has pics/info or knows an owner of a Bellis and Morcom paraffin engine (1917). There is a pic on p18 of the A-Z. ttfn Roland

Regular participants in this NG will be generally aware that I am a "professional Viking". Specifically, I am the national organiser of Regia Anglorum

. A costumed re-enactment society, we re-create the lives of the people who lived in and around the Islands of Britain between the reigns of Alfred the Great and Richard the Lionheart (850-1150AD).

We have a permanent site in Kent where we are building a Longhall as part of a fortified Saxon Manorial Burgh. Basically a peripatetic community, we have five "Viking" ship replicas, a convincing military strength and a living history encampment that can comprise up to 55 tented structures.

I act as the society's business manager and it is my particular brief to ensure we both earn and spend the money that the Hon. Treasurer tries so earnestly to account for! As events organiser, I source and arrange perhaps ten major events annually for the Society's members. I drive about 20,000 miles a year, doing site visits and client calls. I do the commentary and narration for the arena events we perform.

It is my task to deal with the various TV & film companies that want to use us. For instance, I am currently in discussion with a production company that wants to sail a pair of Viking ship replicas from Jutland in Denmark to the Farne Islands later this year..

I have a leading role in the political life of the society (please note the small "p"!) and generally look to the public good in all matters.

In the broader scene, I am the Public Relations Officer of our professional association, the National Association of Re-enactment Societies (NAReS) a body set up some twelve years ago to represent the interests of the British re-enactor at governmental level. I have served on the Executive Committee since its inception in one role or another. We have been instrumental in having several pieces of law changed at the White Paper stage to ensure a safe, sensible and cognate atmosphere for the re-creation of history in the UK.

Five years ago, I was fortunate enough to be asked to write a book about "Viking Weapons and Warfare" a work that was published in the year nought and is currently in preparation for its third edition as I write.

I act as a School Visitor, doing approximately 40 talks a year to Year 3/4 primary school kids about Vikings and Saxons.

Otherwise, I'm down the workshop getting grubby doing things with stationary engines and motorcycles. Other tangential interests are WW2 aircraft engines, Egyptology and the archaeology of the Old World and I try to keep up with scientific developments in many fields at a shallow level, but find less and less time in my life to read my "Nature" every week!.

Hazel and I have two children, both of whom live in Bristol. Andrew(31) is a Lead light and sound technician with a major corporate events company and Alex (29) is the licensee of a family pub across town.

I've read this through again: I shouldn't have done that - I think I need to lie down somewhere ......

regards,

Kim Siddorn.

Gentlemen,

As you all know I am a Service Engineer for a company which supplies equipment to the Research and Medical industry. So what are my hobbies, metal bashing, camping stoves, preserved steam railways, classic cars, computering, reading, swimming, digital photography and generally annoying you lot :-))

Mart> All sorts of old rubbish , including IC engines, mining/minerals and > fishing.

Professionally I am a Systems Engineer (Controls and Instrumentation) concentrating on mostly the energy and transport industries, although I have also had forays into banking smart cards and medical systems as well. I was invited to join my current position in a well know Fusion Research establishment a few years back and it looks like I may be staying put until retirements now. Outside of such work I also spend a great deal of time partaking in discussions amongst various usenet communities, walking, boating (own electrically propelled one is afloat at present), photography, and swimming. All this mixed with enjoyment of a good ale or two and good food (especially oriental). I used to run a mobile disco, still have an interest in PA. I also like theatre (and have just organised a Shakesperean expedition for a group of work colleagues). Last night I was in the theatre watching Swan Lake (although I think I still prefer Copellia).

Sounds like quite a menagerie. [%X]

I used to go climbing in Cheddar when I was a member of the Cheddar Cliff Rescue Team. I was also in Raynet at the time. Had many a good night at Hunters Lodge and a pleasant night in the cavers hut.

I am a member of the Stirling Engine Society but that was from a point of learning more about the little beasties so that I may build a couple for my next boat's generation plant. Need to find some spare time though.

[%X]

I am not that bothered about the money apart from having enough to enjoy the rest. I work amongst some women that, in my opinion, outclass many models (looks, knowledge and attitude). I think that music has to be felt rather than heard (so that is quite loud). I don't tend to over indulge in the last two so don't experience the headaches.

Which are you best at ;-) ttfn Roland

Well.................

55% of week - Freelance Engineering Project Manager 10% of week - Stationary Engines 10% of week - Model Engineer 5% of week - Tropical and Marine Reef Fish Keeper 5% of week - Photographer 10% of week - Property Maintenainer 10% of week - Antique Clock Collector, Restorer 10% of week - Clock Maker 5% of week - Computer Related 5% of week - Home Cinema / Hi-fi enthusiast 5% of week - Car Collector and Maintainer 10% of week - Father and Taxi service 1% of week - Husband (maybe an over-estimate) 10% of week - Practicing Alcoholic

151%?? - No wonder I'm knackered!

Regards

Mark

I ought to post something, having started this thread! Have got to load the milling machine bits and pieces this evening, so haven't much time :-((

We run our own company in which we are 2/3rds of the management, we make industrial electronic equipment, mainly large battery chargers.

Our interests are mainly related to the horses and mechanical/electrical things; most of our friends are associated in some way with those interests apart from a few that are completely outside of the circle.

Engines/generators have been my living for many years, so although I didn't always enjoy working on them for a living, I have found much more enjoyment in the small collection we have and in particular the circle of people I have met and befriended over the past 8 or 9 years, a lot of them on the newsgroup.

We enjoy the twice-yearly trips across to the 'States where the engine scene is very different to our own here in the UK, but we keep up contacts with the guys there by email and the engine mailing lists.

Peter

-- Peter & Rita Forbes Email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk Web:

I'll leave that decision to your warped sense of Justice :-))

Martin P

Fast cars and loose women. Well more the former these days. Modern, classic or very old, I don't mind (the cars that is). I am interested in everything related to cars but become less so as you move further away. Hence, general engineering, tractors, motor bikes, boats, aircraft all have a place. Art, serious music and the theatre etc do not. Driving music is something else. One day, Meat loaf will loose me my licence. Bat out of hell cannot be heard quietly or slowly in a car. Amateur radio hasn't been mentioned yet which surprises me. I started my interest and got my licence simply so that my navigator and I could legally have radio mikes when competing. Working a distance of 3 feet is hardly DXing. Can't stand walking. Why walk when there are perfectly good cars around. Tried horses once. We parted by mutual agreement. I prefer mechanical horse power.

Loose women are something I shan't go any further with here. It's not good for me these days. My wife says so anyway.

John

On the box 10 minutes ago! (or so my wife tells me)

Cheers Tim Dutton Dry-Dock Traditional & Modern canal craft repairs Vintage diesel engine service

Professionally a biological scientist who has been sidelined into Quality Assurance and Information Security in recent years. Can no longer claim work to be one of my serious interests since they overworked me and put me in hospital with stress induced heart attack - counting down the years until the mortgage is paid off, so I can follow Roland into early retirement.

Real interests -

Engines & engineering of course (always liked taking things to bits to see how they worked), and vintage equipment so long as it isn't too bulky/heavy (run out of storage space). Enjoy problem solving.

Industrial history in general, mining in particular (son of a coal miner, but now also fascinated by metaliferous mining).

Nature and the countryside.

Consider myself to be friendly but not gregarious - an only child so got used to being a loner, and do not need company to be happy.

Constantly in need of more time to get done everything I want/need to do (sound familiar??)

I am an amateur Naturalist (Wildlife not Nudies) & full time gardener looking after 140 acres of a holiday camp. I restore & sell hand tools too.

I restore anything in my spare time from blow lamps to British Anzani Iron Horse's Also a bit of a miltary modeller winning 14 golds in one year!

bulky/heavy

Well,

I'm not much of an engine man (although a do enjoy reading all the various stuff on here!).

I have a cov climax gen set (still in pieces!), but am mainly interested in old telecoms. I have an extensive collection of telephones, and a fairly unique collection of early rural telephone exchanges (uax's to those in the know..), two of which are the only ones of there type. Earliest is about 1935. I am slowly getting them working again.

Also have four Morris Minors (three in pieces and a runner), Am just installing a 1950's Rayburn into the house, which is slowly being put back together.

Railways is another interest, but not much time for that one at the mo, so just restricted to reading about them.

I'm interested in anything old I think...

Oh well back to lurking...

Andy G

Well,

I'm not much of an engine man (although a do enjoy reading all the various stuff on here!).

I have a cov climax gen set (still in pieces!), but am mainly interested in old telecoms. I have an extensive collection of telephones, and a fairly unique collection of early rural telephone exchanges (uax's to those in the know..), two of which are the only ones of there type. Earliest is about 1935. I am slowly getting them working again.

Also have four Morris Minors (three in pieces and a runner), Am just installing a 1950's Rayburn into the house, which is slowly being put back together.

Railways is another interest, but not much time for that one at the mo, so just restricted to reading about them.

I'm interested in anything old I think...

Oh well back to lurking...

Andy G

Well,

I'm not much of an engine man (although a do enjoy reading all the various stuff on here!).

I have a cov climax gen set (still in pieces!), but am mainly interested in old telecoms. I have an extensive collection of telephones, and a fairly unique collection of early rural telephone exchanges (uax's to those in the know..), two of which are the only ones of there type. Earliest is about 1935. I am slowly getting them working again.

Also have four Morris Minors (three in pieces and a runner), Am just installing a 1950's Rayburn into the house, which is slowly being put back together.

Railways is another interest, but not much time for that one at the mo, so just restricted to reading about them.

I'm interested in anything old I think...

Oh well back to lurking...

Andy G

Hi Andy, welcome to the group. I seem to have some similar intests to you. I am a retired Telephone engineer & during my 45 years worked in all types of exchange from UAX 13 & 14 to digital exchanges. Prior to that I worked in CB & CBS manual exchanges. If you want a chat call me off list! I was a member of the K&W valley railway & the Severn Valley railways in their early days in the 1960's. I have been collecting old engines for 25 years & also old bicycles. My specialist subjects are Danish Engines & Stirling Engines. (PS Are you a member of snipped-for-privacy@yahoogroups.com )

-- Dave Croft Warrington England