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Matt

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Everything posted by Matt

  1. Matt
    A nice pint of mild straight out of the barrel:
  2. Matt
    That would vary. I would be very careful. The Rocks kits are pretty good to be honest. As I said to Hants Wasp last week, there has only been two occasions that I've been totally marmalized on homebrew, and on both occasions that stuff was involved. I'm not scientifically minded, so if it was me, I would do it by trial and error. The OtR kits currently use 1.3kg of sugar; you could try making it 1.5, but personally I wouldn't. The other thing I use is crystalised sugar drops when I bottle up. Much easier than arsing about with funnels and teaspoons of sugar. Are you using b
  3. Matt
    I'm quite lucky because one of my good mates is a professional brewer. He scorns my kits, but that's OK by me...... lol He does however, have a water powered press, so this autumn will see me taking van loads of apples up to Wiltshire to see him. I have a cunning plan to brew cider in 5 gallon containers (empty perecetic acid containers). I'm going to cut a hole in the screw tops and fit an airlock, and once it's fermented, switch over to a cap with a tap and lay it on it's side to mature. It could be an interesting project providing work doesn't get in the way of it. I'll
  4. Matt
    The funny thing is that four or five days ago there were hardly any elderflowers out here. I put two lots of beer on and suddenly there are elderflowers everywhere! The beer is flying away, so hopefully I'll have some brewing space in a few days. I'm also looking forward to making some elderberry wine later in the year. Anyone else do a bit of brewing? I've just helped Hampshire Wasp get set up for cider; this thread has reminded me that I must ring him and see how it's going.
  5. Matt
    I brew at least 40 pints of beer a week, and the occasional cider kit. For the cider, I use the 'On the Rocks' kits which are really easy. I bottle my cider in the 500ml PET bottles that are used for fizzy water. Mine cost 27p each from Lidl. I run two barrels of beer (usually Mild) and then 300 odd glass bottles of best bitter. Best bits of kit I've bought was a bottle washer and drying tree, and a device called the 'Little bottler'. Just about to put some elderflower champagne on, of which I'll only make a dozen bottles, and then I'll add some sugar and champagne yeast an
  6. Matt
    Fantastic project Jai. I'd bin that Draper strainer. Apart from the fact that Draper give money to the antis, they are crap compared to a gripple. Spent hens are worth no more than £1.50 each. Most farmers get no more than 50p and free catchers for them. At times like this I really miss my livestock. One day..........
  7. Matt
    Personally, I would go down the DE route. I see more and more commercial poultry units using DE now. Less hassle, safer to use, and (so I'm told) more effective than Bendiocarb.
  8. Matt
    That's a very good point J. Some very good pest controllers have gone to the wall over the years, simply because they were no good at the customer facing stuff. People tend to call out pest controllers when they've got something serious going on, and they are usually emotional about it. You have to be able to deal with all sorts of situations, and the other major skill needed is the ability to sell. I've often said that pest control is usually more about dealing with people than pests. The industry has also got seriously cut throat in recent years. There are far more pestie
  9. Matt
    As Phil says, Ficam is a residual insecticide A word of warning to anyone reading this. Make sure the product you are going to apply is approved for the purpose, and actually names the insect you are trying to control. It's also an offence to mix a stronger mix than that listed on the label. Sadly, these days, product labels have to be complied with or you could end up in serious trouble. The last case of misuse of Ficam that I can remember ended up with a prison sentence.
  10. Matt
    I'm sure that's just a typo and you are fully aware that you are not allowed to sell call birds
  11. Matt
    Yawn..............
  12. Matt
    @ Ross
  13. Matt
    Threads like this always make me smile. If you do something that warrants warning points, the easiest thing to do is move on. Some folks like making martyrs of themselves and thrive on attention seeking when they don't get their own way. Oh, and I am still a complete rat :-)
  14. Matt
  15. Matt
    Do ye reckon they wear them there trench coats when they'm shooting?
  16. Matt
    Trespass is not a criminal offence. The authorities are aware of websites like that (and others) and do nothing. If trapping was a religion they'd be kicking doors in left right and centre. Sadly, we are an unrecognised minority.
  17. Matt
    I agree. The RSPCA have a habit of sensationalising stuff like this as much as they can....... the reason is simple; they want the public to give them money and think of them as the 'animal police'. The reason I posted it was to highlight the fact that whilst catapult hunting is pretty much under the radar of the antis, it's only a matter of time before they pick it up and start campaigning. Whoever that gang of lads were, and whatever they did or didn't do, it's pretty obvious that they have done the catapult hunting world no favours Keep it legal and sensible and none of thi
  18. Matt
    .http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/RSPCA-search-teenagers-catapulted-pigeon-death/story-21105705-detail/story.html The usual hot air and nonsense from the RSPCA, but perhaps a warning for those who think it's OK to take pigeons in public places without permission....
  19. Matt
    The RSPH offer help if you can prove you are dyslexic. If needed, you can even have a 'scribe' to write your answers out for you. I had one guy who needed help, and they were fantastic. Beware though; you have to be able to provide evidence that you are genuinely dyslexic, and not just a chap that can't spell very well. There is much to be gained from interaction with other people on training courses. Sitting on your ass at home and doing online modules will teach you how to pass the exam, but it won't make you a pest controller I always give the same bit of advice to newbies;
  20. Matt

    Clipo...

    Matt replied to Waz's topic in General Talk

    Fantastic. I think I'll convert mine too
  21. Matt
    Another one I forgot: I was spending between £2 and £4 each week on Tea Bags. I bought a small teapot in a charity shop for 50p, and have gone over to loose tea. It's a nicer cup of tea, and a £1.50 bag of tea leaves lasts me about 4 weeks.
  22. Matt
    Similar to me, except I'm forever foraging for firewood... Would love to see some pictures of the shed
  23. Matt
    OK, so I'm a poor peasant and I don't have money to spend. Added to that, I'm a grumpy old bugger and I don't really hold with all this recycling craze. It makes no sense to me to send lorries out to pick up things that then get destroyed and re manufactured. So I try and live as cheaply as I can, and try not to waste anything. For example, one of my (few) luxuries is a daily newspaper. I could pop it into a bag to be collected each week, but instead of that, I turn them into firelighters. I homebrew. I buy half price beer kits and make my own beer that goes into recycled be
  24. Matt
    Guys, this was an outstandingly generous offer by the original poster and I'm sure the winner will enjoy the prize. Thread locked to save any further confusion.
  25. Matt
    Kind gesture, good luck to everyone who has a punt
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