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Tuesday 26 January 2016

Man Cave

Two weeks without a post...what's going on? Can't be phasing already can he?

I'm not quite sure how that happened, but I must confess that I am struggling for material at the moment. Well, I am if I want NQS to maintain a predominantly birdy theme. Perhaps the solution is simply not to worry what I write about? Yes, I think that will have to be it, just talk about anything.

The weather, say...

The weather is currently playing havoc with my life. Relentless rain is not good for window cleaners, so any dry days are mostly earmarked for work right now, which is a pain. Can't say I'm thrilled at the prospect of birding in the stuff either, so there hasn't been much of that. Or cycling in it, so there hasn't been much of that. However, I've not been completely idle...

Moving from Seaton to Bridport last March was more than just a change of location; it also meant some significant downsizing, from a four bedroom house to a two bedroom bungalow. This is what pragmatic folk do just prior to old age, before they are so irredeemably knackered that the only viable move remaining to them might involve an urn. However, the truly pragmatic would downsize all their various needs as well, so that a smaller home doesn't cramp their style too much. Well, things have worked out okay in the main - I have a garage for my fleet of bicycles, and the front room is easily big enough for both the 'his' and 'hers' sofas. Unfortunately though, I did overlook one crucial need - I didn't foresee quite how much I would miss having my own space. In Seaton I converted one of the smaller bedrooms into an office/study. It had a bulky desktop computer with a widescreen monitor and I would retire there for most of the summer to watch the Tour de France highlights on catch-up, slouched in a big comfy chair with a glass of wine. I miss it hugely. I expressed this concern to Mrs NQS, in the slim hope that she might bequeath me the spare bedroom. Not. A. Chance. To her credit though, she did offer a solution: "What about a big shed?"

My scant knowledge of outdoor buildings led me to presume that a 'shed' wouldn't really be practical for year-round use. Wrong. A bit of Googleage introduced me to log cabins, Black Friday introduced me to a 25% discount, and now the garage is full of a massive wooden jig-saw puzzle waiting for the weather to let me convert it into this:

It's insulated, it's double-glazed, and I can heat it...
I have learned a new term: Man Cave. Apparently that is what it will become once it is appropriately kitted out and stocked with wine. Who am I to argue?

Perhaps I can add DIY projects to the scope of this blog? Actually, I think I shall have to...

14 comments:

  1. Perfect for your turbo trainer! #goodbyechocolate

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    1. I don't think the turbo will be in keeping with the intended mood of comfort, indulgence and sloth. No, it will stay in the garage, along with the other instruments of torture.

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  2. Personally, I think a repetitive series of similar blogs about pretty much the same area and the same birds, can get a tad boring. That's why on my blog I've always included features on other wildlife, local history, local people, what I did as a teenager, etc. etc. It hopefully makes for interesting reading and can be fun to write - you must have some "while I was cleaning windows" stories to tell.

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    1. I'm with you there Derek. Variety is the proverbial spice...

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  3. I agree with Derek. Like you I'm a 'multi eventer' which; considering my limitations, has added up to a fair bit of variety.
    I'd do a blog myself if it wasn't for the fact that on a day to day basis I have very little to write about. Maybe we should just write about stuff we did? One thing is certain. We've done more things than those sitting on bar stools calling the likes of you and me boring.
    Btw, The 'shed' is an excellent idea. Here in Harrow those are rented out for £250/wk. Some back gardens are full of them.

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    1. Rich - we've done more than those guys, camped out in bivvies awaiting a Delkim to alert them to a boily-munching carp, who call all other anglers boring! Writing about what I've done or thought, on any subject, is exactly what my blogging is based upon! Single subject blogging very soon looses it appeal/spontaneity? Sheds are for gardeners and eccentrics - There you go Gav! a match made in heaven!

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    2. Ric, Dyl, I'm glad there are a few votes in favour of blog variety, because that's my favoured reading material too. Personally I've never been able to restrict myself to just the one hobby/interest and I guess this is bound to be evident in the contents of NQS. I should just roll with it shouldn't I...

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  4. Replies
    1. Andrew, if things go to plan I should eventually be able to report what it's like to have your very own man cave. So watch this space for upcoming inspiration.

      Alternatively, if you're feeling impatient pop up to Harrow and rent one!

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    2. There are four 'man cave' type structures here but all are full of clutter hence the desire to have another as good as that one in your image.

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    3. Four?!! Ha ha! Sounds like you have a serious hoarding issue! :-)

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    4. Not as bad as the legendary Mr Edmund Trebus but we are due a declutter.

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  5. Man Cave - I wish I had one - but would need a garden to put it in first! No, as Derek said earlier, diversity is the way forward. Jono Lethbridge and Steve are dab hands at it.

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    1. Thanks Neil, diversity it is.
      Small though it is, I am fortunate enough to have a garden, and I'm beginning to think that a man cave in the garden may well be even better than having a room in the house.

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