The Hobbies Thread

[HarryMonkey]

I got to thinking that we spend a lot of time on here talking about work so I thought we might just find some time to talk about what else we have to entertain us ... Hobbies. Apart from a model railways thread that faded away a year ago and a 6 year old modellers thread, oh, and the photographers one, I couldn't find anything.

 

I developed, nay, rekindled a childhood interest in model kits during lockdown and have since joined our local model club. I would like to take an interest in model railways but unfortunately don't have the space.

 

My other main interest is photography ... more drain on the resources (much to my OH's disgruntlement).

 

Ok, so lets forget about work now and again and have some conversations about what else we like to do.

Edited July 27, 2022 by HarryMonkey

[elsiegee40]

Birdwatching is what I love to do most in my free time.

 

I’m not a Twitcher; either the birds are where I am or they aren’t. I won’t go out of my way to see a particular bird.

 

It’s what led me to my voluntary work at the wildlife rescue when they asked for people to feed the baby birds.

 

I am quite an outdoorsy type. I like walking, but I never go anywhere without my binoculars [emoji3]

 

In my youth I was a kayaker… got to the top end of Division 2 in Ladies K1 slalom. Sadly my back problems put paid to that… and these days I don’t live near any decent white water anyway!

Edited July 27, 2022 by elsiegee40

[HarryMonkey]

I like spending time outdoors too and where you take your binoculars, I take my camera. I'm lucky in that I leave near to the RSPB reserve at Sandy and enjoy the walks around there.

[Norphy]

Since I moved up here, I've been struck by the sheer number of songbirds that you see on a daily basis. There are swallows flying about outside at the moment. The buggers are far too quick to get a photo of but it's wonderful to watch them. There are all sorts of finches here as well, along with wagtails and the usual sparrows, starlings, tits etc.

 

It's not unusual to see large birds of prey hovering above the fields either.

[36Degrees]

I developed, nay, rekindled a childhood interest in model kits during lockdown and have since joined our local model club.

 

Any particular area? I used to make aircraft as a teenager and had some very unusual and large kits hanging from my ceiling, including an SR-71 and a very large Tornado GR1 (1:32 scale!). I still have the Tornado F3 and an A-10A Thunderbolt in a box somewhere.

 

I would like to take an interest in model railways but unfortunately don't have the space..

 

I have my dad's old train set in the loft (Hornby Dublo 3 rail) which I added to quite a bit many years ago. (Biggest regret is not buying an almost immaculate Mallard when I was 18. The model shop owner would have let me pay in installments but it was still £100, a lot of money at the time.) Would very much like to have the space just to get some of it out.

 

My other main interest is photography ... more drain on the resources (much to my OH's disgruntlement).

 

I use my camera quite a lot and would love to get past the auto stage but time seems to have been the main factor in not learning for the past couple of years unfortunately. I bought myself a very good macro lens last year (very good Amazon deal including pay interest free in 5 instalments!) but so far have used it twice I think!

 

I love watching \ photographing the birds in the garden. Whenever we go anywhere my wife takes her binoculars and I take my camera and my binoculars!

 

Other than that, big rugby union fan although I much prefer going to a club game than an England international. In my opinion there is a much better atmosphere with spectators actually wanting to watch the game, not see how much alcohol they can consume or just being able to brag that they have been

Edited July 28, 2022 by 36Degrees

[Aprice]

I do professional fireworks displays, mostly electronically fired and often choreographed to music. We'll be firing at Fireworks Champions this year at Newby Hall and closing Ragley Hall if anyone is going?

 

Also slowly working my way through my Pilots licence as and when finances allow, great fun but definitely hurts the bank balance each time I go up.

[HarryMonkey]

Any particular area? I used to make aircraft as a teenager and had some very unusual and large kits hanging from my ceiling, including an SR-71 and a very large Tornado GR1 (1:32 scale!). I still have the Tornado F3 and an A-10A Thunderbolt in a box somewhere.

 

 

 

I have my dad's old train set in the loft (Hornby Dublo 3 rail) which I added to quite a bit many years ago. (Biggest regret is not buying an almost immaculate Mallard when I was 18. The model shop owner would have let me pay in installments but it was still £100, a lot of money at the time.) Would very much like to have the space just to get some of it out.

 

 

 

I use my camera quite a lot and would love to get past the auto stage but time seems to have been the main factor in not learning for the past couple of years unfortunately. I bought myself a very good macro lens last year (very good Amazon deal including pay interest free in 5 instalments!) but so far have used it twice I think!

 

I love watching \ photographing the birds in the garden. Whenever we go anywhere my wife takes her binoculars and I take my camera and my binoculars!

 

Other than that, big rugby union fan although I much prefer going to a club game than an England international. In my opinion there is a much better atmosphere with spectators actually wanting to watch the game, not see how much alcohol they can consume or just being able to brag that they have been

 

I have started mainly with aircraft. I have a few tanks and cars in the stash as well as a couple of locos.

 

I used to have a huge amount of 3 rail when I was a kid. Sold it all when I moved out from home. I had some N gauge a few years ago but, again, that got sold prior to a move.

 

Have a look at Roger Hance on YouTube, he has some great garden wildlife photography videos.

[Davit2005]

Plenty of hobbies only 90% of them involve using a PC :-( . Most are creative though i.e. designing and making stuff on 3d printer and CNC Router, loads of upgrades on said CNC router, desktop video then running and Ju-Jitsu takes up the rest.

[Sonic007]

I enjoy keeping Tropical Fish. Have had community tanks but currently my main tank is a 465 litre Cichlid tank.

 

Also love flying. Trying to save money for lessons.

 

I like everything about aviation and will often head up the airport to photograph planes. I went a little mad and have two plane windows and a huge Boeing 747 fan blade in my lounge!

[jthompson]

I enjoy keeping Tropical Fish. Have had community tanks but currently my main tank is a 465 litre Cichlid tank.

 

That sounds awesome. I've never kept a fish tank, but I'm always drawn to them whenever I see them.

 

This won't count, but I used to take great delight in 'keeping' fish in Dream Aquarium.

[jthompson]

I developed, nay, rekindled a childhood interest in model kits during lockdown and have since joined our local model club. I would like to take an interest in model railways but unfortunately don't have the space.

 

In recent years I've also rekindled an interest in painting models for tabletop sci-fi wargaming: lots of little plastic cyborgs and space monsters. It's been nice to share them on the EduGeek thread and also see other people's work.

[stevejp]

Cricket scoring - I’m scoring my first U19 3-day international match in a couple of weeks - and classical music, mainly - I play timpani and percussion in a local semi-pro orchestra, although back in the mists of time I was a brass player (euphonium, trombone and tuba) and brass band conductor. When the cricket season finishes, I go down and watch my local rugby union club.

[KarlGoddard]

Mine hobby / pastime away from anything remotely connected to IT is playing snooker. Got to a reasonable level pre lock down (a couple of 100 breaks in practice) and I've had the pleasure / experience of playing against a few professionals too - Chris Norbury, Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy. I actually nearly beat Mark Williams too

 

It's my 'zone out' time - where nothing actually comes into my mind except playing.

[hardtailstar]

Football, running, photography and being a leader in the Scout Association.

 

Used to do a lot more but I've cut them out due to failing interest.