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Articles from Bruno Blackstone | Selfgrowth.com
- Where’s there’s muck there’s fewer wildflowers! - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2013 from Bruno BlackstoneMy regular readers will know that I enjoy being in the outdoors and also anything to do with nature. In particular I like to try and see and identify the birds I see whilst walking, consequently I never go out without my binoculars. Last year, for various reasons, I had an unusual amount of ...
Views: 1474 - Choosing Walking Socks - by Submitted on Nov 16, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSo what’s wrong with wearing ordinary socks when hiking? Well it is all about understanding the particular challenges of the type of walking that you like and maximizing your comfort whilst hiking. As trivial as they may seem the right socks will help you enjoy anything from a short ramble up ...
Views: 1467 - Something Wicked This Way Comes… - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneDuring my university years, studying at an institute of higher learning in a town of disrepute, I became friends with some budding ‘scientists’ whom at the time would have more accurately been described as ‘nutters’. These were men who loved heavy metal and ale, but knew the benefits of a good ...
Views: 1428 - How to take care of your walking boots - by Submitted on Oct 24, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhen you’ve invested in a decent pair of walking boots you need to take care of them not only to get good value for money ( a good, well looked after pair of boots can last for many years) but to keep them in good condition so that they keep you dry, comfortable and well supported on your walks. ...
Views: 1724 - Eastwooding - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneOn August 30th, the Republican National Convention took place in Tampa, Florida. Veteran actor Clint Eastwood gave a speech endorsing the Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. During his speech, Eastwood rhetorically addressed an empty chair as if current President Barack Obama were ...
Views: 1558 - Around the Course in 80 Seconds! - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn my youth I was quite a fan of motorsport and I liked nothing better than travelling to a racetrack and spending the afternoon watching different classes of cars race around the course. I do believe some of my contemporaries went to great lengths to avoid paying the admission fee by concealing ...
Views: 1306 - He Flies Like a Bird! - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn a previous article I mentioned that I took on an unexpected child-minding job on what turned out to be a very rainy day. The three of us ended up in front of the computer searching online for adventure activities to entertain young children. Both the kids chose what would be their most ...
Views: 1309 - Under the Sea! - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneThis is the second of the two articles in which the twin boys Mark and Pete choose an activity that they would like to do, and give a little potted history of the subject. In the first article Mark describes how the Wright brothers achieved powered flight and how the sport of skydiving followed. ...
Views: 1331 - Be a Cowboy? I Kid You Not! - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I was watching a re-run of an old television series that I remember my parents watching avidly when I was a child. It was set in the Wild West and every week the heroes had to deal with hold-ups by bandits, Indian attacks or rescuing damsels in distress, with the odd gold-rush thrown in ...
Views: 1316 - Eat Your Heart Out Indiana Jones! - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I was reminiscing with a friend about all the games we used to make up as children when we would disappear outside for hours at a time; sadly those carefree days are over and the modern child has adapted to a more sophisticated, but indoor, world. With most kids nowadays having access ...
Views: 1452 - Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy, Fun, Fun, Fun, Fun, Fun! - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhy is it that whenever someone has a little mishap in the garden someone else is bound to be on hand filming it just in case they capture enough decent footage to send to one of those programmes that showcases camcorder catastrophes. Usually it is plastic garden chairs collapsing or even ...
Views: 916 - Hot Stuff! or…How to Keep Warm Once the Sun Goes Down - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstonePeople who have read some of my previous articles will know that I am a great lover of the outdoors, walking and hiking, fishing and birdspotting. However, I do also enjoy just sitting at home in the garden watching the comings and goings of the neighbours and my wildlife visitors. Speaking of ...
Views: 1010 - Encouraging Your Kids to Cycle - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFamily cycling is a fun and great way to enjoy the outdoors as well as a great way to exercise. Every child develops at a different pace but they will probably be ready to start cycling sometime between the ages of three and seven. Also remember to emphasise the fun nature of it; try and relax ...
Views: 849 - Any Old Porch in a Storm! - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneHere in Britain we are not having a very good summer this year, we are having a lot of rainfall and many places are flooded. Whilst sitting in the house the other day looking out at the rain (again!) I got to thinking, “wouldn’t it be lovely if houses in this country had those American-style ...
Views: 967 - Wat-er Day in the Pool - by Submitted on Jul 03, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneI was sitting in a friend’s garden recently watching their children playing in a paddling pool during an unusually hot spell for this country. Well I say ‘paddling pool’, it looked more like a swimming pool to me. The friends are somewhat younger than me and can’t remember the days when gardens ...
Views: 954 - Choosing a Coarse Fishing Rod - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneCoarse Fishing Rods There is a huge variation in prices for coarse fishing rods. not surprisingly, the more you pay, the more you get. Coarse fishing rods are no longer made from natural materials, like split cane, and modern rods take advantage of modern materials technology, giving the ...
Views: 1702 - Choosing a Sea Fishing Line - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIt is obviously important to understand the sorts of fishing line that exist and when you should use one rather than another. A major factor is what you are fishing for and where you intend to fish; there are basically four different sorts of fishing line. They are manufactured in different ways ...
Views: 1022 - Bridging the Thames - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneHere in England we had a spectacular event recently; as part of the celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the River Thames played host to a flotilla of craft of all shapes and sizes. The pageant covered the seven miles between Albert Bridge and the world famous icon of Tower Bridge, which ...
Views: 918 - To (Charcoal) BBQ or Not to (Gas) BBQ! - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I attended a street party as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It took place on a town square and because of the proximity of the residence of the people who had invited me to the venue, it was possible to wheel out their barbecues onto the ...
Views: 1071 - How to look after your barbecue. - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhether you choose a charcoal or a gas barbecue there are then various accessories that will prove essential to your cooking, keeping it clean and protecting it from the elements. First of all, cooking accessories; you can buy these in sets or individually. Naturally make sure you choose ...
Views: 1133 - Messing About on the River - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneContrary to popular belief we do occasionally get some very hot days in this part of the world. On one of these recent ones my wife and I decided to take a lake cruise on Lake Windermere in the English Lake District. Rather than hire our own boat we took the ferry from Ambleside to Bowness and ...
Views: 991 - Choosing a Rod for Sea Fishing - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSea fishing rods come in a large variety of types and sizes and that’s mainly because the sorts of fish you may be targeting are many and varied. In terms of making a choice, of course, the right one for you depends on what sort of fish you are after and where you will be fishing from. The more ...
Views: 1413 - The Rising Popularity of Cycling - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneAfter many, many years of decline cycling is starting to boom again, the sight of people wearing bright lycra outfits and flashy backpacks is once again common. In cities the sight of someone wearing a suit whilst riding a bike, is becoming nearly as common as a suited bus or rail passenger. ...
Views: 4040(1 vote) - The Theme Park - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneMy family and I have never really been great lovers of funfairs and theme parks. My wife does not go on any of the rides and so objects to paying the admission price. When the children were younger therefore, it was always down to me to take them on the ride (and stand in the queue with them!) a ...
Views: 971 - Choosing Sea Fishing Tackle - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSea Fishing Tackle Fishing in general is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and feel in touch with nature but where do you start out with sea fishing? Sea fishing has many different variations and so in terms of choosing sea fishing tackle the two basic questions are where do you intend to ...
Views: 1084 - Getaways on a budget - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWell, it seems it is that time of year again holiday season is once more upon us but in today’s economic climate a good break is not always possible, never fear though – here are some tips on getting away without it costing the Earth. Try a stay-cation – OK, so you can’t rely on the weather ...
Views: 837 - How to Choose A Fly Fishing Fly - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFly fishing flies or game fishing flies are a unique part of the fly angler’s gear to catch fish. Unlike most of coarse and sea fishing the angler is trying to fool the fish into believing that the fly, tied from all sorts of natural and man made materials is actually food rather than using ...
Views: 1070 - Choosing a Fly Fishing Rod - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFly Fishing is, of course, different from coarse fishing and sea fishing in that you are trying to catch fish not through tempting your prey with actual food but with an artificial fly made to fool the fish into thinking that it is taking an insect or fly. Sometimes these flies are on the ...
Views: 1069 - How to Cast Using a Fly Fishing Rod - by Submitted on Jun 05, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneFly fishing which is also known as game fishing requires the angler to perfect their cast before they can hope to fish properly and in this sense is harder for the beginner to perfect than other sorts of fishing. Not only must you cast your fly to a specific spot (often some distance away) but ...
Views: 1048 - A Folly in the Garden - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSeveral weeks ago I decided to have a change to my normal stamping ground and went walking in the south of the country for a few days. I am used to rugged terrain or rolling hills so what struck me first about the area were the wide open spaces and vast expenses of flat ground or gentle ...
Views: 1331 - What Makes The British British! - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneMy job involves dealing with the public on a daily basis and one thing I’ve noticed is that a good way to strike up a conversation with someone of whatever age or walk of life is to comment on the weather. If there’s a heat wave it’s news, rain is news, snow is news! So, this got me thinking ...
Views: 1275 - The Occidental Tourist! - by Submitted on May 22, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I recounted to my readers how I left my beloved Yorkshire to spend a week in the Italian Lake District. The travelling was done by train and I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it took me three days to get to my destination. I started to think about people who travelled in bygone times ...
Views: 1318 - Base Layers for Out Of Doors Activities - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneBeing out and about in the great outdoors means you need to be prepared for any weather. Golfing, cycling, fishing, camping, hiking or just taking in the wildlife on a leisurely stroll you need the ability and flexibility to be able to keep warm when the weather suddenly turns against you. Being ...
Views: 1327 - Choosing Gaiters for Hiking - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneTraditionally Gaiters for Hiking are garments worn over the shoe and lower pants leg, and used primarily as personal protective equipment; similar garments used primarily for display are spats. Originally, gaiters were made of leather. Today, gaiters for walking are commonly made of plasticized ...
Views: 2053 - The Appeal of Hot Air Balloooning - by Submitted on May 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneHot Air Balloon Rides are a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside from above drifting along in a tranquil journey across the sky. The really appealing elements of hot air balloon rides include the exceptional quiet (except when the propane burners are firing), the lack of a ...
Views: 972 - Straight From the Horse’s Mouth - by Submitted on May 20, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneI was walking in the beautiful countryside around Middleham in North Yorkshire recently and was quite surprised at the number of race horses that were trotting through the town centre. I later found out that because of the wide open spaces around those parts there were several racing stables ...
Views: 1233 - 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Tent - by Submitted on May 18, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneCamping is an increasingly popular way to enjoy the great outdoors for all sorts of people, families, couples or friends. It needn’t be an expensive pastime but you can’t avoid the fact that you will need to buy some basic equipment to get you going There’s no denying that the most essential ...
Views: 1275 - Esssential Camping Gear List - by Submitted on May 18, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneCamping is a great way to experience the great outdoors. Living, eating and sleeping outdoors makes for a great, fun and relaxing time. People of all ages can enjoy it and it needn’t be expensive. However, it is important to be properly prepared and unless you are keen on lightweight camping you ...
Views: 1353 - Social Networking - What's your views on it? - by Submitted on May 18, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneBeing the thoroughly modern chap that I am, I use Facebook. This is partly a business thing, but I find it’s also pretty useful for staying in touch with people who otherwise had passed completely out of my life since I upped sticks and came to the countryside. Old friends from the days of my ...
Views: 882 - Should there still be zoos? - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSome people do not like the idea of keeping animals in captivity but long gone are the days when animals were kept locked in cages to be stared at with no regard to their feelings or being kept in unnatural surroundings. Nowadays the main work of wildlife parks and zoos is conservation, ...
Views: 1198 - Should there still be zoos? - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneSome people do not like the idea of keeping animals in captivity but long gone are the days when animals were kept locked in cages to be stared at with no regard to their feelings or being kept in unnatural surroundings. Nowadays the main work of wildlife parks and zoos is conservation, ...
Views: 1074 - To Bee or not to Bee! - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn one or two of my previous articles I have written about how grasslands are managed to encourage wildflower growth. Farmers are being given incentives to promote this kind of management in order to halt the decline in these native wild plants. There is another reason why this decline should be ...
Views: 733 - To Bee or not to Bee! - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn one or two of my previous articles I have written about how grasslands are managed to encourage wildflower growth. Farmers are being given incentives to promote this kind of management in order to halt the decline in these native wild plants. There is another reason why this decline should be ...
Views: 961 - The Appeal of the Orient Express - by Submitted on May 01, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently, I was lucky enough to be treated to a trip on the Orient Express, it was quite an experience absolute luxury combined with excellent service. If it weren’t for the modern dress and occasional buzz of a mobile phone I could have been back in the heyday of the infamous train. History ...
Views: 1129 - How Much Chocolate is Just Too much? - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneIn the modern world Chocolate is a multi-million pound industry, but where did it come from and how did the humble cocoa bean develop into the many varieties we see on our shelves today? The Cocoa bean is thought to have originated in the Amazon as far back as 2000 BC, it was used by the ...
Views: 853 - Just How Much Do You Know About Celebrity Chefs - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneI love cookery programmes, it’s great to get some new ideas which can be used or adapted into my own cooking. These programmes are often based around a certain personality and the success (or failure) of the series very much depends on whether the general public like the chef – perhaps more so ...
Views: 897 - Looking After the Colonials: A Weekend of Northern Hospitality - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneOver the Easter weekend of 2012, I played host to some American friends. Originally from Dallas, Texas, they are a couple who moved to sunny Sheffield last year, partly out of a wish to leave the U.S. for a while, and partly for Shanes’ job. His wife Rachel has not yet found employment in the UK ...
Views: 882 - Today's dish is Named After the Dish! - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneWhilst doing some research for another article I became intrigued to find the number of foods that are named after the dishes or pots they are cooked in. Now although I am normally an outdoors type I am not averse to a spot of creativity in the kitchen and definitely love my food. So here’s a ...
Views: 1044 - How Do You Prefer Your Eggs Mr Benedict? - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneDuring the research for my foods named after cooking pots article, I also found a fair few foods named after people so here they are: some you might already know, some may be new to you. Beef Stroganoff was the prize-winning recipe created for a cooking competition held in the 1890s in St. ...
Views: 973 - Great lakes and little birds - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2012 from Bruno BlackstoneRecently I left my beloved Yorkshire to explore the outdoors elsewhere; in fact I left these shores completely and went to the Italian Lakes. I had never been to the area before and was really looking forward to comparing it to our own Lake District that I know fairly well. I stayed in the ...
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