stripeyfox

I like this game but it becomes a bit of a grind after the first few years. Bit like marriage ha ha. Guess I've just got to remember why I feel in love with it at the start!

Free to play games are so unbelievably wank I don't know why anyone plays them. But each to their own.

i avoid almost any "free" game as they are either a) shit or b) not free at all. Would rather pay a fixed up front price rather than the game nudging me towards buying coins or gems for real cash.

I'm reading Old man and the Sea at the moment.

Just finished A Passage to India and The Hunger Games (which was ****ing awesome).

i loved Old Man and the Sea. Some wonderful images in it. Any other Hemmingway to recommend?

just a quick update , re the author .

it is indeed the FT poster Valerenga , so at least we know someone's found something better to do than spend hours on here .

good luck with the writing career

wondered what happened to Valerenga. One of the nice guys of FT.

Been on about a 15 miler took us 9 hours. The weather as atrocious - 80mph winds that blew me over numerous times and obviously pissing rain.

Many mountains but on the way down we were on what I've called "Death Pass" about 6 inches of path immediately next to a 2/300ft drop down a rock face into a torrent of a stream.

Genuinely thought I was going to die at that point. I also smashed my knee into a rock here and now I'm Woking like a bell end.

From what we could see though - the scenery is absolutely stunning. Not sure the risk of death was worth it though.

Been on about a 15 miler took us 9 hours. The weather as atrocious - 80mph winds that blew me over numerous times and obviously pissing rain.

Many mountains but on the way down we were on what I've called "Death Pass" about 6 inches of path immediately next to a 2/300ft drop down a rock face into a torrent of a stream.

Genuinely thought I was going to die at that point. I also smashed my knee into a rock here and now I'm Woking like a bell end.

From what we could see though - the scenery is absolutely stunning. Not sure the risk of death was worth it though.

Risk of death is what makes it exciting!

Went to the lakes a month or so back and couldn't believe how great it was.

Stopped at Linthwaite Hall Hotel, which is owned by a bloke who is a Leicester fan. Comes from Leicester apparently.

Villa Positano is a lovely Italian in Bowness.

Can't really comment on walks, I pottered around in the car.

Really enjoyed going out in the little motor boats that do about 6mph.

Don't know what I have been missing, absolutely amazing place for a holiday.

Hope you get a chance to go back soon. Bowness is really just the tip of the iceberg. Strike out further and higher in to the LD to really appreciate what it has to offer.

Just got back from a scorching weekend in Langdale. Attempted, and completed Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark, as well as the Langdale Pikes. Beautiful sunny skies and lots of great waking rewarded with a few pints and pie and chips in Wainwright's Bar.

Aching all over tonight but well worth it, and already planning the next one (in September)

Well said Alf. Spot on sir.

Sat with my feet up back in Keswick after 10 miles that started with Helvellyn via Striding Edge. The original plan was to come back via Swirral but we opted for the longer, scenic ridge route instead.

Off for an enormous beef pie in the pub now to recover!

Scafell Pike tomorrow!

Enjoy your evening. Where are you staying?

As time has passed, many seem to have come to a dislike of the McCann's as there is not one shred of evidence, not one tiny little bit, that an abduction took place.

There is also no evidence, not one tiny little bit, that her parents murdered her and then covered it up.

I don't condone this whatsoever, but also those who think they're heavenly people need to take a look at themselves. Nobody expects their child to get kidnapped (or whatever happened), but the way in which they left her alone in the apartment and have yet to been charged is nothing short of ridiculous. I'd imagine it's through fear of upsetting as to why they have not been charged, but regardless, it's wrong.

I can't fathom why they left the kids. One of the wonderful things about holidaying in Portugal and other similar places is how welcoming they are to families. Restaurants in particular seem to be thrilled to have children to dine as a family and the staff always make a fuss of the kids. It doesn't make sense to exclude them in this environment. Fine, maybe you have to eat a little earlier so the little ones can go to bed, but surely if you're on holiday as a family then that's what you expect.

That said, it is terrible that they paid for their error of judgement in such a devastating way, or more poignantly, their daughter did.

I'd second what Finnegan said about boots, and much as Mike Ashley is a complete cock, I'd also recommend Sports Direct for most of your gear. I have a pair of Berghaus boots which cost me £100 but which are really heavy after a few miles. In contrast, I got some walking shoes for Christmas which are brilliant and they are my first choice now. Decent socks are a must though!

Get a map and compass and know how to use it! As he said, many of the paths are pretty well marked and trodden but I have gone off track a couple of times, fortunately in good weather so we were able to correct ourselves, but if it had been in mist or low cloud then it could have been dodgy.

There are loads of good gear shops up there as well, even in the small villages like Glenridding and Patterdale (a good base for Helvelllyn and Striding Edge).

Also, I've been up there on my own a few times (is a great place to get away from stress) and you always meet friendly folk, both on the walks and whilst enjoying a pint in the pubs afterwards.

Just go for it, book a place to stay and you'll find once you get there it is easy to find places to walk - all the shops sell local walk guides for a couple of quid. I tend to use online walks as a starting point and then check the OS map to vary them a bit (we quite like starting and ending a climb with a riverside or woodland walk)

I'm not an expert, but happy to help with any questions you may have.

Having recently found myself single again - and all my mates shacked up with women I wouldn't mind a quiet few days in the lakes but I've never been before.

Can anybody point me in the direction of a decent website for me to do some research and that explains where all of the decent walks/mountains are (ie that "Striding Edge thing looks brilliant) andc an you recommend any cheap b&bs close to a lake/mountain/hill?

There are so many great walks and places to stay, you're never going to nail it first time. Just buy the OS maps and book a room in a village pub (Coniston, Ambleside, Pooley Bridge) and get out there. A decent pair of walking boots and some wet weather gear are essential. Avoid Windermere, as it is just a tourist trap.

I'll let you know how we get on, Stripey! We're doing Scafell as well as Helvellyn via Striding Edge in a few weeks (weekend of the 6th.)

Staying in a rented house/cottage actually in Keswick this time, was about the cheapest thing we could find.

Did Striding Edge last October, and extended the walk to Dollywaggon and back to Patterdale by St Sunday Crag, arriving back at dusk. The "Edge" was a great experience (glad it wasn't wet), although I think Sharp Edge on Blencathra was scarier!

I usually go with the wife and kids once a year for a week and then try and squeeze in a couple of "one nighters" - we travel up from Melton around 6am on a Saturday, taking a pack up, which means we can start walking around 10am. A good 10 - 12 miles walk/climb gets us back down for teatime. A few beers, bite to eat and nattering with the locals rounds the day off and drive back Sunday morning.

Let me know how you get on with the Scafell!

Thought I'd resurrect this topic. Despite having been to the Lakes numerous times and climbed Blencathra, Helvellyn, Skiddaw and others, I am planning to do Scafell Pike for the first time next month. Anyone done it? If so, which route? Kind of leaning towards the ascent from either Eskdale or Borrowdale. Trouble is, we are going on a Saturday in June and it's likely to be rammed which is a shame. Any idea which route might be quieter (away from "3 peakers")?

Thought I'd resurrect this topic. Despite having been to the Lakes numerous times and climbed Blencathra, Helvellyn, Skiddaw and others, I am planning to do Scafell Pike for the first time next month. Anyone done it? If so, which route? Kind of leaning towards the ascent from either Eskdale or Borrowdale. Trouble is, we are going on a Saturday in June and it's likely to be rammed which is a shame. Any idea which route might be quieter (away from "3 peakers")?

cabin depressurisation and hypoxia of the crew/passengers is a possibility I suppose (as per Helios flight crashed in Greece a few years back), but it wouldn't account for the lack of radar coverage. Presumably the flight would continue along it's planned path until fuel exhaustion in this scenario.

 

Hijacking/bombing would usually be accompanied by a claim of responsibility or demands to be met

 

My guess (and it is only a guess) is the pilot suicide theory. Turns off transponder and diverts before crashing the plane. It is staggering that no wreckage has been found after four days!

Was doing ok, had a population of around 130 with plenty of food, but then a potato harvest was diseased and a double whammy of smallpox and mumps swept through the community. I've ran out of medicine and my graveyard is now full up of the deceased. 30 or more deaths in the first winter after the blighted harvest and I fear more agony in the new season.

Really getting in to this now; after a few false starts I've managed to get a small town of about 70 people (from my initial 20 or so). Sowed a few fields and orchards which are now producing a decent harvest (which seems to be improved by rotating the crops each year). Had one fire which destroyed a few houses and the blacksmiths and came perilously close to destroying my storage barn!

 

The pace of the game is perfect for a city builder. There isn't really an end game or a story as such but just the pleasure of watching your little town grow. And every, and I mean every, decision has to be carefully thought out - not like say Sim City where you just lay down zone after zone of houses and hope someone will move in - but every building has the capacity to upset the delicate balance of resources and labour if not thought through.

 

Love it!

Thanks for the info about the iron deposits. Seems there was none on my map, or maybe I'd used it all without noticing. Love this game, definitely better played at slow pace I think.

I thought I was doing OK, but then I noticed I had run out of iron. I've probably overlooked it but where do I get it from? Do you need a mine or does it just appear on the ground (like stone)? Maybe I'm just on a map where it is scarce...

What I found (after my one successful settlement) is that gatherers are maybe a bit over powered at the start so you wanna be using them as your main food source. I started on hard so I think I missed out on seeds and its a blessing in disguise, farms and fish aren't that productive and only come in later when you want other sources for health and happiness. 

 

It was so frustrating to start off with I must admit but once you make it through that first winter and you get your food stores up and running it does get easier. Here's my town about 30 years in (yes I have played a lot already)!

 

Yes I think in my next game I may leave agriculture until I'm a bit more established!

It's an idie game developed by ONE bloke, literally everything was done by him. If you're interested, throw him a bone. I've been hooked on it all afternoon/evening!

 

It took a few plays to build something where everyone didn't die after half an hour. Even the town I have got up and running suffered a set back near the start where a few people starved to death but yeah, I think I've got my moneys worth already

Agree. Only had an hour or two to play it so far, and nearly everyone starved to death in my first winter but absolutely love this game. Not quite sure what needs to be built first but will have another crack at it tomorrow. Well worth the money so far

Was going to start a post about this a while back but never got round to it. I've been following the development for a year our so now and release day is finally here (around 8pm tonight). I love the concept of having to nurture your small group and ensuring they have enough food and fuel before the harsh winter sets in.

Am on holiday in The Lakes at the moment but will definitely be getting this tonight

So many memories but for me the night in May 1992 when we beat Cambridge 5-0 in the Play Offs was the greatest. Filbo rocked that night and I think because we were all so tense beforehand - I don't think anyone expected us to romp it in the way that we did. 20 years ago - makes me feel old!