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On you past efforts, Gordon, it finished better than I expected! Terry.

By golly, a busy day for birthdays today. All the very best Alun, Bob, Alan and Terry. May your lines get tugged right royally. Terry.

Really, is nowhere safe from the assorted low lifes and sub species? Terry.

I've added that to my source list for future reference, Mark, and thanks for looking. For present use, I'm going for the free option from the esteemed retired Chairman. Terry.

Thanks for all the input, chaps. Coincidently, my next door neighbour had the Virgin Media engineer call today as we were discussing this very problem. The engineer said he had some coaxial type cable that had a core of alloy covered with copper about 1mm in diameter which might do. Having stripped some out, I found it to be ideal so he gave me 6 or 7 metres. Bit of a pain to strip out but solves the immediate problem. Martin, next time I'm down, I will call in and thanks for the offer. Terry.

Is that what one normally uses for making weight loops? If so, no problem. I just assumed it was some sort of ordinary wire, the use for which was beyond me. I will check this out. Thanks. Terry.

Does anyone have any stainless wire suitable for weight making that I can beg, steal or buy. I can't seem to find anyone locally who stocks it; what trade would have access to it? I have now managed to bring together a supply of lead and my new moulds but am stumped for the wire. Help! Terry.

Many happy returns, Reg. I hope the sun is shining as brightly in the N.E. as it is here. Terry.

The Inland Revenue decides to audit Paddy, and summons him to an appointment with the most thorough auditor in the office. The auditor is not surprised when Paddy shows up with his solicitor. The auditor says, "Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the Inland Revenue finds that believable." "I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it," says Paddy. "How about a demonstration?" The auditor thinks for a moment and says, "Okay. You're on!" Paddy says, "I'll bet you a thousand pound that I can bite my own eye." The auditor thinks a moment and says, "No way! It's a bet." Paddy removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops. Paddy says, "Now, I'll bet you two thousand pound that I can bite my other eye." The auditor can tell Paddy isn't blind, so he takes the bet. Paddy removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realises he has bet and lost three thousand quid, with Paddy's solicitor as a witness. He starts to get nervous. "Would you like to go double or nothing?" Paddy asks. "I'll bet you six thousand pound that I can stand on one side of your desk and pee into that rubbish bin on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between." The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way Paddy can manage that stunt, so he agrees again. Paddy stands beside the desk and unzips his trousers, but although he strains like hell, he can't make the stream reach the bin on other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk. The auditor leaps with joy, realising that he has just turned a major loss into a big win. But Paddy's solicitor moans and puts his head in his hands. "Are you okay?" the auditor asks. "No," says the solicitor. "This morning, when Paddy told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me

Noted, as I was very pleased with the service I received on the two occassions I used you. I've obviously got the hang of Mudeford since then! Terry.

Thanks for that, Tom, just what I'm looking for. I'll give him a call this morning. This is a long term problem that I will be very glad to sort out. Gordon, strangely I was getting feedback from my sounder on Friday which is something I've never had before. Added to the list! If I get a fix, I'll let you know. Terry.

Thanks for that, Rob, I look forward to his input! Terry.

Do we have a tame/sponsoring electronics firm that I can contact regarding a VHF radio problem? This would need to be a repair/installing company rather that a supplier. Getting really annoyed with the problem now. I've had my expert in Munich working on it but without the testing gear, it's not easy. Terry.

A price guide might be useful. Terry.

Why do men die first? This is a question that has gone unanswered for centuries, but, now we know. It requires a bit of explanation, first: If you put a woman on a pedestal and try to protect her from the rat race ... you're a male chauvinist. If you stay home and do the housework .... you're a pansy. If you work too hard ... there's never any time for her. If you don't work enough ..... you're a good-for-nothing bum. If she has a boring repetitive job with low pay ... this is exploitation. If you have a boring repetitive job with low pay ..... you should get off your lazy behind and find something better. If you get a promotion ahead of her ... that is favoritism. If she gets a job ahead of you ..... its equal opportunity. If you mention how nice she looks ... its sexual harassment. If you keep quiet ..... its male indifference. If you cry .... you're a wimp. If you don't . you're an insensitive bastard. If you make a decision without consulting her ... you're a chauvinist. If she makes a decision without consulting you, she's a liberated woman. If you ask her to do something she doesn't enjoy . that's domination. If SHE asks you .... it's a favor. If you appreciate the female form and frilly underwear ...... you're a pervert. If you don't . you're gay. If you like a woman to shave her legs and keep in shape ... you're sexist. If you don't ... you're unromantic. If you try to keep yourself in shape . you're vain. If you don't .... you're a slob. If you buy her flowers ... you're after something. If you don't ... you're not thoughtful. If you're proud of your achievements .... you're full of yourself. If you don't .... you're not ambitious. If she has a headache ... she's tired. If you have a headache . you don't love her anymore. If you want it too often ... you're oversexed. If you don't ... there must be someone else. Why do men die first? Because they want to.

Such as? Perhaps we should have a register of members interests and skills that may be relevant to others. Bit like the Masons but without the funny handshake. Terry.

I've noticed another couple of posts on here this morning which comes as a great relief. It's not just me who hasn't gone to Alderney, then? I was beginning to feel left out! Terry.

Bit like buses; none for a while and then 2 at once! Many happy returns Charlie and Dave. I assume Alderney will be your pressie, Charlie. Terry.

Trev, if you or anyone else fancies a mid-channel wrecking trip for pollock on Shogun, two of us are booked for Thursday 22nd May and I understand there are places available. Give me a shout and I'll make arrangements. Terry.

Oh, you young whippersnappers! Your day will come................in 20 - 30 years. You'd better just hope we don't catch all the fish between now and then. Got to go now, I feel an improvement in the weather coming and I've got to get the boat and gear ready. Terry.

Thanks for the bonus trip, Alun; I only phoned Tuesday night for a chat. After a very promising start, it all began to go to worms a bit, especially when the tide changed. Should we have started where we finished up so successfully? Who can tell, but it was a good finish to an unpromising day. Sorry I cocked up the netting of your big squid, I forgot that they go backwards! Terry.

Right, as nobody seems to want to keep me company on Stingray (note to self; must change deodorant) I'll revert to plan A and go for the free lunch. Good luck to those who are going. Terry.

Last year I used a standard pennel rig on a running ledger, short trace to keep the bait on the bottom, 30lb hook trace and size 5/0 hook fished uptide with a wire grip lead. Seemed to work for me; KISS. I also used a similar rig fished downtide (without the griplead) which seemed equally effective if cast well away from the boat because of the shallow water. At one stage we were about 2 miles out in 9ft of water! Terry.

Only slight snag for crew is that they will either have to make their own way to Burnham or get a lift as I'm starting in Oxfordshire. It should be worth the effort though as the met is looking reasonable and, if like last year, there should be enough fish about to keep us happy. Terry.

O/k, I am supposed to be at a family lunch at my brother-in-law's but I can't see us looking shabby in front of our Burnham hosts so, if there's anybody who would like to crew, Stingray will go. Failing that, I will try to get crew locally. Now I must just explain it to Dilys. Terry.