What are your hobbies?
Discussion
smithyithy said:
Just to offer some balance on this.. Wildoliver's comment is really good and spot-on about the clay shooting part.
For game shooting, there's a pretty big range of prices and experiences. Certainly, you can expect to pay £1000+ for a fully catered, high-end day on a prestigious estate, where you'll be wined and dined and have the opportunity to shoot at hundreds of birds. That sort of thing is generally something you do as a treat (although of course there are folks with the means to do it all the time), but I honestly wouldn't say it's the norm.
I've been shooting clays for about 18 months, and recently through a friend who got my into shooting, joined a local shooting syndicate as a paid member. I won't divulge all the details as it is a 'private' group so to speak, but it roughly breaks down as such:
So it can definitely be affordable especially via the DIY route, it's all about who you know, and inevitably if you start shooting, you'll meet loads of people and get talking.
I'd absolutely recommend doing a couple of 'have a go' days at a local ground if it interests you, they're not the most cost effective way of shooting obviously but it gives you a good taster course and something to think about before taking the plunge.
If you decide to give it a shot, check out the PH shooting thread if you have any questions etc
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thanks. Once we move back to the U.K. I will check out the clubs local to me.For game shooting, there's a pretty big range of prices and experiences. Certainly, you can expect to pay £1000+ for a fully catered, high-end day on a prestigious estate, where you'll be wined and dined and have the opportunity to shoot at hundreds of birds. That sort of thing is generally something you do as a treat (although of course there are folks with the means to do it all the time), but I honestly wouldn't say it's the norm.
I've been shooting clays for about 18 months, and recently through a friend who got my into shooting, joined a local shooting syndicate as a paid member. I won't divulge all the details as it is a 'private' group so to speak, but it roughly breaks down as such:
- The syndicate pays rent to a local farm to use their land. They have a dozen or more large fields with small bits of woodland, ponds, hedgerows etc.
- We buy our own birds (pheasant) each year, and set up feeders and shelter etc for them at various locations around the farm land.
- Throughout the year, we tend to the area, restocking feeders, checking on bird movement, putting up little fences, planting small areas of cover crop around the pools etc.
- When the season starts (ours is September to January), we have a calendar of about 12 shoot days (Saturdays and Wednesdays I believe) where we'll meet up and shoot a few drives at different locations each time as determined by the shoot captain
- We'll typically take it in turns, between shooting (from a roughly determined position depending on the drive location) and beating / flushing the birds out with dogs - some of the older gents on the shoot only beat nowadays anyway.
- There's a 'full gun' and 'half gun' option, the former shoots all 12 days, for £600, the latter shoots 6 days, £350. We might shoot as little as 4 birds on a day, or as many as a dozen, but it's £50 a day, for a day out in the fields, with friends, dogs, guns, drinks and snacks, and if you have a few shots or kill a bird, it's a good result and you can take one home to cook.
- Full gun also gets the option of year-round pigeon shooting, which the farmer is happy for us to do and something I'll be doing soon hopefully, and we even have a little DIY clay shoot a few evenings a year with a couple of traps on the back of a trailer.
- Lastly, there's not really much of a prescribed etiquette to these less formal shoots. Even the 'posh' ones, it might sound a bit much, but it's just part of the tradition to put on some tweeds and enjoy the gentlemanly experience.. Ours a lot more relaxed and typically you just wear practical / comfortable clothes, in theory you could wear any outdoor clothing, it's just that you end up buying the khaki / olive green jacket and trousers more aimed at shooting, than say brightly coloured hiking gear, horses for courses etc. and all part of enjoying the experience.
So it can definitely be affordable especially via the DIY route, it's all about who you know, and inevitably if you start shooting, you'll meet loads of people and get talking.
I'd absolutely recommend doing a couple of 'have a go' days at a local ground if it interests you, they're not the most cost effective way of shooting obviously but it gives you a good taster course and something to think about before taking the plunge.
If you decide to give it a shot, check out the PH shooting thread if you have any questions etc
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Edited by smithyithy on Sunday 28th April 14:49
I have done it three times (maybe four) over the past decades and always enjoyed it but never got around to taking it further.
J6542 said:
Reading this thread made me realise that I don’t have any. How does anyone who is not retired find the time? I am busy with work all week and weekends are spent catching up with all the household chores for the week ahead.
It's difficult with full time work, family and other stuff but you have to make time and priorities. To my mind if you spend from the age of 16 to 67 just working it's a bit of a waste of an existence. Then you retire and spend all morning watching homes under the hammer, purgatory. I can't imagine life without hobbies and passions.J6542 said:
Reading this thread made me realise that I don’t have any. How does anyone who is not retired find the time? I am busy with work all week and weekends are spent catching up with all the household chores for the week ahead.
Plenty of people find the time including a busy job for running/golf/cricket/cycling/triathlon. There is time. You need to make it. During lunch/before work or after. A flexible job helps, of course.Skeptisk said:
Thanks for all the information.
I didn’t think that game shooting would be so expensive! Having to fit in doesn’t sound like my thing. I had my fill of such types at parents’ evening at my daughter’s schools and also through work.
Game shooting doesnt always need to be a £5000 day of being doted on by those you deem lesser than your own landed self. I didn’t think that game shooting would be so expensive! Having to fit in doesn’t sound like my thing. I had my fill of such types at parents’ evening at my daughter’s schools and also through work.
I shot 8 days last season for a grand total of £1000 at a local syndicate shoot. They aren't big days by any means but they are a day out that one can enjoy in the company of like minded individuals with a meal and a drink afterwards.
Those like minded individuals all tend to be working stiffs like tradies, office workers and retirees. As such you aren't stood on peg having your ear chewed off by someone dressed in a full set of tweeds, a matched pair of purdeys and a local oik employed as a loader.
I started out a few years back as a total newby loner and by talking to everyone and anyone friendly enough to talk back I've made a load of friends who I now regularly shoot with.
dci said:
I started out a few years back as a total newby loner and by talking to everyone and anyone friendly enough to talk back I've made a load of friends who I now regularly shoot with.
Absolutely this.. I've probably made more mates in the time I've been shooting than I have in years. And I don't mean that to sound sad, but I think as you get older, maybe moreso as a bloke, you lose touch with your mates from when you were young.. Most of mine are now married with kids, so although we'll exchange the occasional message here and there, we don't really meet up or have much in common to talk about / do (the days of going out drinking 'on the pull' etc are well behind us :laugh)... But shooting has been a great way to meet people and get out and about sharing a hobby with people, and 99% of people I've met despite background / profession / wealth / skill level etc have all been great.Indoor hobbies - I collect old Christmas lights. Mainly UK up to the early 1970s but focussed more on the 1930s-1960s. I also have a number of blown glass ships lanterns that I've converted to electric lamps, mainly made by Den Haan Rotterdam pre-WW2.
Outdoors - running, hill walking (and rallying).
Outdoors - running, hill walking (and rallying).
Lots to keep me busy:
Being “ Dad Taxi”
Shooting clays & pheasants (yum)
Dance - social only now Mrs M & I have retired from competitive dance
Flying light aircraft
Shukokai Karate
Kayaking very occasionally
Handgun target shooting when I’m visiting countries where it’s legal.
As one gets older, it’s important to keep the body in reasonable shape - dance & martial arts help a lot with this, and also keep the mind working. I’m only early 50s, and plan to stay fit as long as I can.
Being “ Dad Taxi”
Shooting clays & pheasants (yum)
Dance - social only now Mrs M & I have retired from competitive dance
Flying light aircraft
Shukokai Karate
Kayaking very occasionally
Handgun target shooting when I’m visiting countries where it’s legal.
As one gets older, it’s important to keep the body in reasonable shape - dance & martial arts help a lot with this, and also keep the mind working. I’m only early 50s, and plan to stay fit as long as I can.
I dabble in a few hobbies when I find I have the time depending on outside commitments
I do quite a few creative hobbies but main one is Lino cut printing
Play a musical instrument
Hill walking / hiking ( I used to run but preferred where I could get to hiking)
Occasional tennis / squash
I make time by only watching something on tv if it’s something I want to specifically watch. I wouldn’t just sit down and randomly channel hop
I have young kids but an amazing network of friends and family who willingly help out so I and OH have time for our own stuff
I do quite a few creative hobbies but main one is Lino cut printing
Play a musical instrument
Hill walking / hiking ( I used to run but preferred where I could get to hiking)
Occasional tennis / squash
I make time by only watching something on tv if it’s something I want to specifically watch. I wouldn’t just sit down and randomly channel hop
I have young kids but an amazing network of friends and family who willingly help out so I and OH have time for our own stuff
Edited by Nemophilist on Sunday 28th April 21:32
Driving (kinda obviously …) - was heavily into the advanced scene when I was younger, IAM, RoSPA, observer for IAM - lost interest in observing due basically to the pipes and slippers approach my local group had - the meeting where they discussed whether for push-pull you should push first or pull for about 30 mins did it for me …
Still drive by ‘the rules’ and enjoy it.
I play the violin when I can be bothered and dabble on the guitar occasionally.
I fly model aircraft, at least in the summer - as part of that I got into 3d printing 6 or 7 years ago, which itself turned into a bit of a hobby.
Been renovating a flat recently, found out I’m not as bad at carpentry as I thought, so might try and have a dabble in that in the near future.
Still drive by ‘the rules’ and enjoy it.
I play the violin when I can be bothered and dabble on the guitar occasionally.
I fly model aircraft, at least in the summer - as part of that I got into 3d printing 6 or 7 years ago, which itself turned into a bit of a hobby.
Been renovating a flat recently, found out I’m not as bad at carpentry as I thought, so might try and have a dabble in that in the near future.
Judo - have done it for many years now to a decent level.
Sports events - I love getting along to big events or random venues/sports. I've been to several big judo tournaments as a spectator including Olympic finals, I've been to plenty of high profile rugby matches but my favourite was the Racing 92 stadium last year when they played Harlequins. 20€ for a ticket in the "crazy" section, what's the worst that could happen? Absolute madness. Brass band going full tilt the whole game, group leaders organising silly games and chants for the whole section to follow, great camaraderie and well-plaxed next to a bar. Best atmosphere I've experienced at a game. I've also dabbled in World cycling championships, various events at Olympic or Commonwealth Games, motorsports, UFC in Sweden, etc. Just something I really enjoy and if I can tie it in with some local sights/experiences then all the better.
Cycling, need to get back into it. Bought a new bike last summer which I have yet to even attach the pedals to! Lockdown highlight was getting out and about on a bike for the first time in years.
I've many other micro-hobbies where I find myself taken with something to the extent I go all-in and gain as much experience and knowledge of it in a short space of time.
Sports events - I love getting along to big events or random venues/sports. I've been to several big judo tournaments as a spectator including Olympic finals, I've been to plenty of high profile rugby matches but my favourite was the Racing 92 stadium last year when they played Harlequins. 20€ for a ticket in the "crazy" section, what's the worst that could happen? Absolute madness. Brass band going full tilt the whole game, group leaders organising silly games and chants for the whole section to follow, great camaraderie and well-plaxed next to a bar. Best atmosphere I've experienced at a game. I've also dabbled in World cycling championships, various events at Olympic or Commonwealth Games, motorsports, UFC in Sweden, etc. Just something I really enjoy and if I can tie it in with some local sights/experiences then all the better.
Cycling, need to get back into it. Bought a new bike last summer which I have yet to even attach the pedals to! Lockdown highlight was getting out and about on a bike for the first time in years.
I've many other micro-hobbies where I find myself taken with something to the extent I go all-in and gain as much experience and knowledge of it in a short space of time.
Supporting my son - he is top ranked UK sabre fencer.
Fly fishing. Fly tying, rod building.
Gardening.
Photography.
RC cars.
HiFI.
Films.
Gardening and DIY.
Unfortunately, my interest in cars has dwindled a lot. I have a lovely hobby car but it's modern and needs no tinkering. Don't want to track it, but public roads don't do it justice.
Fly fishing. Fly tying, rod building.
Gardening.
Photography.
RC cars.
HiFI.
Films.
Gardening and DIY.
Unfortunately, my interest in cars has dwindled a lot. I have a lovely hobby car but it's modern and needs no tinkering. Don't want to track it, but public roads don't do it justice.
Extreme DIY as in big project stuff!
Can do architectual drawings, footings, concreting, block work, stone work, structural steel work, stud walling, joinery, leadwork, roofing, electrics, central heating, plumbing, floor/wall tiling, kitchen fitting, bathroom fitting, painting, landscaping but not plastering
All self taught, renovated our house and then with the help of one builder and my wife we doubled the size of it too
Spend my day behind a computer screen pushing a mouse designing small lightweight parts that are obsolete in less than year after being manufactured
Enjoy the contrast it gives, hard manual labour aspect of building, ordering materials by the ton, creating something that can be seen from space that should still be around in a 100yrs
It's a hobby, it's healthy exercise, very satisfying, great sense of achievement and saved/earned myself a fortune
Hobbies I would like to do but don't have time for is build a kit car, make carbon fibre lightweight car panels, TIG welding, motorbike enduro, cycling
Can do architectual drawings, footings, concreting, block work, stone work, structural steel work, stud walling, joinery, leadwork, roofing, electrics, central heating, plumbing, floor/wall tiling, kitchen fitting, bathroom fitting, painting, landscaping but not plastering
All self taught, renovated our house and then with the help of one builder and my wife we doubled the size of it too
Spend my day behind a computer screen pushing a mouse designing small lightweight parts that are obsolete in less than year after being manufactured
Enjoy the contrast it gives, hard manual labour aspect of building, ordering materials by the ton, creating something that can be seen from space that should still be around in a 100yrs
It's a hobby, it's healthy exercise, very satisfying, great sense of achievement and saved/earned myself a fortune
Hobbies I would like to do but don't have time for is build a kit car, make carbon fibre lightweight car panels, TIG welding, motorbike enduro, cycling
Edited by marine boy on Sunday 28th April 23:27
marine boy said:
Extreme DIY as in big project stuff!
Can do architectual drawings, footings, concreting, block work, stone work, structural steel work, stud walling, joinery, leadwork, roofing, electrics, central heating, plumbing, floor/wall tiling, kitchen fitting, bathroom fitting, painting, landscaping but not plastering
All self taught, renovated our house and then with the help of one builder and my wife we doubled the size of it too
Spend my day behind a computer screen pushing a mouse designing small lightweight parts that are obsolete in less than year after being manufactured
Enjoy the contrast it gives, hard manual labour aspect of building, ordering materials by the ton, creating something that can be seen from space that should still be around in a 100yrs
It's a hobby, it's healthy exercise, very satisfying, great sense of achievement and saved/earned myself a fortune
Hobbies I would like to do but don't have time for is build a kit car, make carbon fibre lightweight car panels, TIG welding, motorbike enduro, cycling
You're not a million miles away from us by the look of it - the stone is very distinctive. Tremendous job!Can do architectual drawings, footings, concreting, block work, stone work, structural steel work, stud walling, joinery, leadwork, roofing, electrics, central heating, plumbing, floor/wall tiling, kitchen fitting, bathroom fitting, painting, landscaping but not plastering
All self taught, renovated our house and then with the help of one builder and my wife we doubled the size of it too
Spend my day behind a computer screen pushing a mouse designing small lightweight parts that are obsolete in less than year after being manufactured
Enjoy the contrast it gives, hard manual labour aspect of building, ordering materials by the ton, creating something that can be seen from space that should still be around in a 100yrs
It's a hobby, it's healthy exercise, very satisfying, great sense of achievement and saved/earned myself a fortune
Hobbies I would like to do but don't have time for is build a kit car, make carbon fibre lightweight car panels, TIG welding, motorbike enduro, cycling
Edited by marine boy on Sunday 28th April 23:27
Cars - (obvs) tinkering/driving/the odd track day in my Caterham, and currently mid way through a full body off rebuild of an early 1980s Defender
Sailing - used to be a serious dinghy racer, now just less serious club dinghy sailing with my wife or son, and south coast cruising in the leadmine
Skiing - I'm not that bothered about foreign beach holidays, but I do love the mountains!
Models - getting back into Airfix kits with my lad, it's great dad/son screen free time, with learning about history, physics and engineering whilst improving motor skills etc
Cycling - road and gravel, love club rides, bikepacking, rides out with my lad, and I'm riding Lands End to John O'Groats in July
MS Flight Sim - I've never been a gamer, but I absolutely love Flight Sim...which unfortunately has led on to...
Learning to fly - went solo last week, what a feeling
Sailing - used to be a serious dinghy racer, now just less serious club dinghy sailing with my wife or son, and south coast cruising in the leadmine
Skiing - I'm not that bothered about foreign beach holidays, but I do love the mountains!
Models - getting back into Airfix kits with my lad, it's great dad/son screen free time, with learning about history, physics and engineering whilst improving motor skills etc
Cycling - road and gravel, love club rides, bikepacking, rides out with my lad, and I'm riding Lands End to John O'Groats in July
MS Flight Sim - I've never been a gamer, but I absolutely love Flight Sim...which unfortunately has led on to...
Learning to fly - went solo last week, what a feeling
Skeptisk said:
A few on here have mentioned clay pigeon shooting. Interested I checked prices for an experience at a local range. £90 for half an hour. Punchy. How much would it be if you have your own gun and don’t need someone with you?
If I were shooting clay pigeons I’d like to shoot some real ones too, but not sure how you go about getting invited in shoots.
Depends but roughly 35-40p per clay and around £65-70 for a box of 250 cartridges. If I were shooting clay pigeons I’d like to shoot some real ones too, but not sure how you go about getting invited in shoots.
I usually shoot about 100 in 2hrs. If you’re shooting in a group of four then it’s probably 3 hours depending on the ground and how far between each stand.
smithyithy said:
dci said:
I started out a few years back as a total newby loner and by talking to everyone and anyone friendly enough to talk back I've made a load of friends who I now regularly shoot with.
Absolutely this.. I've probably made more mates in the time I've been shooting than I have in years. And I don't mean that to sound sad, but I think as you get older, maybe moreso as a bloke, you lose touch with your mates from when you were young.. Most of mine are now married with kids, so although we'll exchange the occasional message here and there, we don't really meet up or have much in common to talk about / do (the days of going out drinking 'on the pull' etc are well behind us :laugh)... But shooting has been a great way to meet people and get out and about sharing a hobby with people, and 99% of people I've met despite background / profession / wealth / skill level etc have all been great.Taking up shooting has been brilliant socially. I can now walk in to 2 or 3 local grounds and I will nearly always run in to someone I know. A couple of places have Facebook groups and if you ever fancy a shoot just pop a message on there and someone will always be willing to shoot with you.
I’ve shot with Olympic medalist. Multi time world champions and blokes who have only been shooting months. I always ask for advice from the top people and there always happy to give it and likewise if I can help a new person I will do my best.
I’ve found the sport very welcoming as a whole. Like anything though there are always a couple of should I say different ones with more money than sense as it is an expensive hobby if your doing it every week or two.
That Egli is beautiful.
Cars - Have an MGB GT which gets to be tinkered with as required and big jobs done in the winter. I used to ride motorbikes but gave this up last year. Old age, arthritis, meant it was starting to get uncomfortable. Miss it a bit but now also looking at getting a Caterham (the MG stays) to act as a kind of motorbike substitute.
Cycling - Not so much on the roads these days sue to the state of them round here but there is quite a bit of cycle path stuff round here including the Guild Wheel in Preston. Do quite a bit on Zwift as well to keep me fit (rowing machine as well).
A bit of badminton. Used to play league when younger and stopped playing in my forties. Talking to a (much) younger neighbour and he's just taken it up and we found that another neighbour is retired county coach. An hour messing about with them is enough these days and it's bloody brilliant to be hitting a shuttle again. I'm sure there must be a demand for walking Badminton - like football. I do not remember the court being quite so big.
Bit of flying - got my PPL a long time ago and have an arrangement with a friend who runs a maintenance business that I can hire a plane (PA28) off hime at a decent rate. One of the guys who keeps a plane there is a very experienced instructor/examiner so I can call on him for any dual needed etc.
Cars - Have an MGB GT which gets to be tinkered with as required and big jobs done in the winter. I used to ride motorbikes but gave this up last year. Old age, arthritis, meant it was starting to get uncomfortable. Miss it a bit but now also looking at getting a Caterham (the MG stays) to act as a kind of motorbike substitute.
Cycling - Not so much on the roads these days sue to the state of them round here but there is quite a bit of cycle path stuff round here including the Guild Wheel in Preston. Do quite a bit on Zwift as well to keep me fit (rowing machine as well).
A bit of badminton. Used to play league when younger and stopped playing in my forties. Talking to a (much) younger neighbour and he's just taken it up and we found that another neighbour is retired county coach. An hour messing about with them is enough these days and it's bloody brilliant to be hitting a shuttle again. I'm sure there must be a demand for walking Badminton - like football. I do not remember the court being quite so big.
Bit of flying - got my PPL a long time ago and have an arrangement with a friend who runs a maintenance business that I can hire a plane (PA28) off hime at a decent rate. One of the guys who keeps a plane there is a very experienced instructor/examiner so I can call on him for any dual needed etc.
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