Photos A Walk in Nature

Opening day at the skating/kicksleding ice trails through the woods.

My new laguiole supervised as I got the equipment ready

This year I am upgrading the stock runners for racing ice runners that allow for much better control and faster speeds on smooth hard ice.

Diana did not go for them and will keep the stock ones … for now lol … she might change her mind when she tries my sled 🛷

Also prepared our boots with hex screws for traction


cFylZGA.jpg


The two sleds side by side

The racing runners are much much thinner, stiffer, lighter and shorter


ehbMzOt.jpg


On our way now to try them out 😊
 
Very cool Dan. Looking forward to your action shots. Must be nice to live in a place where winter still exists. Here on the mid-coast winter is mostly pretend. Snows a bit then often it rains and creates a mess. I really love being able to play outdoors in the winter snow but this tepid effort by Mother Nature just creates work and expense without the fun. I lived in Russia for 3 years. Now there was a place where winter did not make believe. We could ski for miles and smile as we passed families sitting on their blankets enjoying lunch in the great white along with their cats and dogs. :)

Move you might say. Well that could happen in another decade or so but if it does we are likely heading to warmer rather than colder. You see, I can't be satisfied. 🥴
 
RayseM said:
Very cool Dan. Looking forward to your action shots. Must be nice to live in a place where winter still exists. Here on the mid-coast winter is mostly pretend. Snows a bit then often it rains and creates a mess. I really love being able to play outdoors in the winter snow but this tepid effort by Mother Nature just creates work and expense without the fun. I lived in Russia for 3 years. Now there was a place where winter did not make believe. We could ski for miles and smile as we passed families sitting on their blankets enjoying lunch in the great white along with their cats and dogs. :)

Move you might say. Well that could happen in another decade or so but if it does we are likely heading to warmer rather than colder. You see, I can't be satisfied. 🥴
Click to expand...

Thanks Ray :)
I am with you, either bring it on or not at all. The in-between is harder to deal with.

I actually dread the thought of not having these ice trails and the the xc skiing trails during winter as it really helps me deal with the so called "cabin fever" ( aka seasonal depression ). A few winters ago I really struggled at this time of the year but we were not engaged and committed to getting out for exercise in nature.

We may move too one day, at least for the winter months to join family in southern USA ... or go further north if winters get milder here and we can't play anymore lol

Knife content :)
I am loving my "new to me" Le Pocket Fontenille Pataud Laguiole in Ironwood. It's among my top 3 in my eclectic collection of about 45 knives.
The level of hand made craftmanship is amazing ... and so precise as well :thumbsup:.
It also excels at one of the most important things in life like very few other small pocket knives do ... that is light food prep and EATING... :)
If am honest that is what I push most of my other pocket knives to do if I want a chance to use them.
I just can not seem to find many other opportunities to use them outside of that. I mean, I eat at least 3 times a day, on the other hand, opening a package, cutting zip ties and similar edc tasks are more occasional occurrences for me.

From today's walk in nature ... I mean sled in nature :)

czPAKxI.jpg

2uru5ee.jpg


His/Hers :cool:
V99QCax.jpg


A Laguiole in the frozen woods

9bYQcMb.jpg


qIlr5uR.jpg
 
Lovely :thumbsup: So you push and glide these, i.e., push and then hop on the runners glide for a bit and then push some more? I'll have to look for a video. No place around here, except maybe one pond I can think of, where such a sled might be practical.

AND I agree - the Laguiole is a great knife to accompany a fine or even a mundane meal.

Here is my Jérôme Latreille ~


View attachment 1706548
 
Crazy Canuck said:
Looking good Dan! How'd the new blades on the sled do?
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike !

The new blades worked well allowing much better control on the winding turns and twists through the forest. I was able to push hard and finally keep up with our daughters on their skates without losing control.

There is pros and cons like in everything. Pushing for performance sometimes sacrifices on comfort.
The stock runners are actually more comfortable as they have a plastic foot rest on top which affords a larger surface area to stand on. The stock ones are also a bit lower to the ice making just a tiny bit easier to kick.

It all depends on the quality of the ice ( which can vary greatly depending on temp and how smooth it is )
Yesterday's ice was a 5 or a 6 out of 10 ( 0 being slush and 10 glass smooth )
When the ice has some texture/roughness to it as it had yesterday, the stock runners are able to bite into it and they work ok.
The problem starts when the ice is smooth and hard ( 7 to 10/10 ) The stock ones slide sideways making them hard to control.
I've been known to loose control in a turn and plunge into the snowy forest lacking style;) :D

Also, on the stock runners you can install "snow" runner that are like xc skis so you can go on hard packed snow as well. ( there I said the "s" word :p )

All give and take, I am glad I got mine as I really like to push it when the ice is perfect.


RayseM said:
Lovely :thumbsup: So you push and glide these, i.e., push and then hop on the runners glide for a bit and then push some more? I'll have to look for a video. No place around here, except maybe one pond I can think of, where such a sled might be practical.

AND I agree - the Laguiole is a great knife to accompany a fine or even a mundane meal.

Here is my Jérôme Latreille ~


View attachment 1706548
Click to expand...


Beautiful knife Ray !!!

Yes, you push and glide, just like a scooter.
Here is a video of us last year ( I wanted to make one today for you :) but they just announced that they will not open today as temps are close to 0 and they want to preserve the quality of the ice )


Jack Black called them Zimmer Skimmers and the name stuck :)

Here is an overview of the different ways they can be set up

 
Carrying on the theme from

"Carl's Lounge"​



"Low plains stumble"

is the title for my walk this afty (or arvo as those antipodean mis pronouncers would say) 😁


I tried out using the gloves for my push bike for extra warmth.
Also a new brightly coloured slip for Billy Barlow and my Vic Walker (have to go some to lose it in that colour).

I also found the hand warmer my old neighbours bought me in 1993 before I went out to Bosnia.
I never used it then,but now the circulation has slowed down,I gave it a go.
It works well,you light a little charcoal briquette put it in the glass wool container thingy and its lovely and warm for hours.
I am surprised survivalist haven't cottoned on,as it a way to carry a hot ember to start a fire as well.

Nothing much to see except birds and ducks,the sun came out for the last 20 minutes which was nice 🥰.

As I had been using the gas cannister on my new blow torch I new the gas was low.
It ran out,so I had a cup of coffee made with water that was colder than you would was your hands in. 🤣
When offered a drink in the army we would say as long as its wet and warm,this was wet and tepid 😅

I enjoyed getting out for a bit.

Again I had the place to myself except that working long boat that went past.









































 
Johnnythefox said:
It works well,you light a little charcoal briquette put it in the glass wool container thingy and its lovely and warm for hours.
Click to expand...
When I was a kid my uncle gave me a hand-warmer that worked on lighter fluid as I recall, and I never managed to get it started and stay lit. I seem to remember seeing the charcoal ones too but I don’t think I ever had one. I may have to see if they are still available somewhere.
 
CelloDan said:
Thanks Mike !

The new blades worked well allowing much better control on the winding turns and twists through the forest. I was able to push hard and finally keep up with our daughters on their skates without losing control.

There is pros and cons like in everything. Pushing for performance sometimes sacrifices on comfort.
The stock runners are actually more comfortable as they have a plastic foot rest on top which affords a larger surface area to stand on. The stock ones are also a bit lower to the ice making just a tiny bit easier to kick.

It all depends on the quality of the ice ( which can vary greatly depending on temp and how smooth it is )
Yesterday's ice was a 5 or a 6 out of 10 ( 0 being slush and 10 glass smooth )
When the ice has some texture/roughness to it as it had yesterday, the stock runners are able to bite into it and they work ok.
The problem starts when the ice is smooth and hard ( 7 to 10/10 ) The stock ones slide sideways making them hard to control.
I've been known to loose control in a turn and plunge into the snowy forest lacking style;) :D

Also, on the stock runners you can install "snow" runner that are like xc skis so you can go on hard packed snow as well. ( there I said the "s" word :p )

All give and take, I am glad I got mine as I really like to push it when the ice is perfect.





Beautiful knife Ray !!!

Yes, you push and glide, just like a scooter.
Here is a video of us last year ( I wanted to make one today for you :) but they just announced that they will not open today as temps are close to 0 and they want to preserve the quality of the ice )


Jack Black called them Zimmer Skimmers and the name stuck :)

Here is an overview of the different ways they can be set up

Click to expand...
Absolutely magical. Thank you for sharing. So incredible!
 
CelloDan said:
Thanks Mike !

The new blades worked well allowing much better control on the winding turns and twists through the forest. I was able to push hard and finally keep up with our daughters on their skates without losing control.

There is pros and cons like in everything. Pushing for performance sometimes sacrifices on comfort.
The stock runners are actually more comfortable as they have a plastic foot rest on top which affords a larger surface area to stand on. The stock ones are also a bit lower to the ice making just a tiny bit easier to kick.

It all depends on the quality of the ice ( which can vary greatly depending on temp and how smooth it is )
Yesterday's ice was a 5 or a 6 out of 10 ( 0 being slush and 10 glass smooth )
When the ice has some texture/roughness to it as it had yesterday, the stock runners are able to bite into it and they work ok.
The problem starts when the ice is smooth and hard ( 7 to 10/10 ) The stock ones slide sideways making them hard to control.
I've been known to loose control in a turn and plunge into the snowy forest lacking style;) :D

Also, on the stock runners you can install "snow" runner that are like xc skis so you can go on hard packed snow as well. ( there I said the "s" word :p )

All give and take, I am glad I got mine as I really like to push it when the ice is perfect.





Beautiful knife Ray !!!

Yes, you push and glide, just like a scooter.
Here is a video of us last year ( I wanted to make one today for you :) but they just announced that they will not open today as temps are close to 0 and they want to preserve the quality of the ice )


Jack Black called them Zimmer Skimmers and the name stuck :)

Here is an overview of the different ways they can be set up

Click to expand...
Great vids :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Faster and better handling :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I get it :D wind-blowing-facesmaller.png
 
Just Tom. said:
When I was a kid my uncle gave me a hand-warmer that worked on lighter fluid as I recall, and I never managed to get it started and stay lit. I seem to remember seeing the charcoal ones too but I don’t think I ever had one. I may have to see if they are still available somewhere.
Click to expand...
This looks like mine,but mine was pre internet and made in Japan.

Pocket Hand warmer "charcoal" including 13 rods : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Pocket Hand warmer "charcoal" including 13 rods. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
 
RayseM said:
Thanks for the videos - I never knew :rolleyes: Looks like lots of fun but I think we are in the wrong territory. Oh well... kick along my icy Brother :thumbsup: :cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks Ray :cool:
We'll take them to Ottawa to use them on the Rideau Canal when they open the largest skating rink in the world
( btw, have you ever heard about this Rideau Canal before ;) )

Johnnythefox said:
Click to expand...

Enjoyed the pics and the narrative my friend ! :thumbsup: :),
also digging your new pouch there, very cool :cool:

Hyesouljah said:
Absolutely magical. Thank you for sharing. So incredible!
Click to expand...

Gracias amigo :)

mbkr said:
Great vids :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Faster and better handling :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I get it :D View attachment 1707027
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike :)
🏍️ :thumbsup: :cool:


No kick sledding today but we did managed to get out for a one hour walk in a trail nearby :thumbsup:

Deciduous vs Evergreen

6UOlUJ0.jpg

Amjni1H.jpg
 
CelloDan said:
Thanks Ray :cool:
We'll take them to Ottawa to use them on the Rideau Canal when they open the largest skating rink in the world
( btw, have you ever heard about this Rideau Canal before ;) )



Enjoyed the pics and the narrative my friend ! :thumbsup: :),
also digging your new pouch there, very cool :cool:



Gracias amigo :)



Thanks Mike :)
🏍️ :thumbsup: :cool:


No kick sledding today but we did managed to get out for a one hour walk in a trail nearby :thumbsup:

Deciduous vs Evergreen

6UOlUJ0.jpg

Amjni1H.jpg
Click to expand...
Thank you.

I never had any desire for a Laguiole in all my times in France,but now I am getting drawn to them, I like that design with the wooden handle a lot.
 
Johnnythefox said:
I never had any desire for a Laguiole in all my times in France,but now I am getting drawn to them, I like that design with the wooden handle a lot.
Click to expand...

I few years ago I bought a Laguiole at the Lee Valley Store in Ottawa for a decent amount of $.
That was when I did not know that I did not know anything about knives lol ( and still I don't know much :) ).
Anyways, I realized later that the knife was rather poorly built so it has sat on a shelf as a decoration really for quite a while.

The size of the standard Laguiole also made me pause in the past when I thought about the pattern, it seemed a bit too big for my needs.

In a recent trade with Crazy Canuck Crazy Canuck this Fontenille-Pataud was suggested among other knives. Initially I totally overlooked it but as I took a second look this knife just spoke to me. I am sooo glad I decided on it :thumbsup:

It is the smaller and shorter "Le Pocket" 10.5 cm model ( the standard is 12 cm ) so it's a very pocketable size :thumbsup: They even have a 9 cm XS model ( which is now on my radar )

The action is superb, it feels as if its riding on an air cushion, like a hovercraft :) and then it CLICKS in such a satisfying way. Lock up is rock solid. And don't get me started on the beautiful handmade craftmanship :thumbsup::) . It was also sent to Mike with a handwritten note addressed to him and signed by their general manager which I thought was a very nice touch.
In short, I am in 😍.
I should head over the KOTY thread before new years to proudly proclaim my choice :)

Here is video from their website.


deovolens said:
The Maine coon collects the grany smith
Click to expand...

Cool pic !
( at first I was like " is that a racoon" LOL )

C colin.p
Thanks for the reference about Don Harron's alter ego character.
As an immigrant to Canada I still have a lot of catching up when it comes to getting to know our cultural icons.
This morning I've read his bio and spent some time watching his videos ... Soo funny and clever ! I burst out laughing so many times !
 
CelloDan said:
I few years ago I bought a Laguiole at the Lee Valley Store in Ottawa for a decent amount of $.
That was when I did not know that I did not know anything about knives lol ( and still I don't know much :) ).
Anyways, I realized later that the knife was rather poorly built so it has sat on a shelf as a decoration really for quite a while.

The size of the standard Laguiole also made me pause in the past when I thought about the pattern, it seemed a bit too big for my needs.

In a recent trade with Crazy Canuck Crazy Canuck this Fontenille-Pataud was suggested among other knives. Initially I totally overlooked it but as I took a second look this knife just spoke to me. I am sooo glad I decided on it :thumbsup:

It is the smaller and shorter "Le Pocket" 10.5 cm model ( the standard is 12 cm ) so it's a very pocketable size :thumbsup: They even have a 9 cm XS model ( which is now on my radar )

The action is superb, it feels as if its riding on an air cushion, like a hovercraft :) and then it CLICKS in such a satisfying way. Lock up is rock solid. And don't get me started on the beautiful handmade craftmanship :thumbsup::) . It was also sent to Mike with a handwritten note addressed to him and signed by their general manager which I thought was a very nice touch.
In short, I am in 😍.
I should head over the KOTY thread before new years to proudly proclaim my choice :)

Here is video from their website.




Cool pic !
( at first I was like " is that a racoon" LOL )

C colin.p
Thanks for the reference about Don Harron's alter ego character.
As an immigrant to Canada I still have a lot of catching up when it comes to getting to know our cultural icons.
This morning I've read his bio and spent some time watching his videos ... Soo funny and clever ! I burst out laughing so many times !
Click to expand...
Yes they do seem to mostly be on the larger size.

Every time in Europe I mention our knife laws they lay the knife blade over their palm,which is the law over in Europe (mostly anyway).
Which is daft you could be a gorilla and have a hand twice the size of a young lass.

Oh I could imagine the mirth if I was to argue that in a English court.😁
 
Johnnythefox said:
Yes they do seem to mostly be on the larger size.

Every time in Europe I mention our knife laws they lay the knife blade over their palm,which is the law over in Europe (mostly anyway).
Which is daft you could be a gorilla and have a hand twice the size of a young lass.

Oh I could imagine the mirth if I was to argue that in a English court.😁
Click to expand...

Good to know I am Europe legal,... barely though :thumbsup: 😃.
Must be my HUGE gorilla hands LOL 🤣

kFHntzX.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top