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Krabi newsletter January 2009

Krabi newsletter January 2009

Krabi newsletter January 2009

Please check out our web site … http://www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com for all the latest news and info about fishing in Thailand at Gillhams Fishing Resorts.

Hi everyone and welcome to 2009. Let’s all hope this recession ends soon – it’s really crippling us, as the first thing people do in troubled times is not take an exotic holiday. Don’t forget to cheer yourselves up and come and see me at the Carpin’ On show 2009 at Five Lakes near Maldon in Essex – see the link on our website. We are on Stand 10A, and if you book and pay on the day you receive a 10% discount. If you bring a Big Carp Magazine and show me, we will give you a further 5% discount, so that’s a massive 15% off the best fishing holiday on the planet. If you buy your tickets in advance for the show you automatically go into the free draw for a week for two with flights, fishing and accommodation at Gillhams Krabi. Just click on the link above.

The first few days of January saw the end of a holiday for a few people who spent Christmas with us. It’s always a sad moment, as people who came as clients and leave as friends depart, but most rebook so we all meet again. As I write this report the heatwave continues; we are having the hottest January on record, the sun is relentless, and every day is over 100 degrees. We haven’t had a drop of rain in five weeks; the lake has dropped a foot as we water the gardens twice a day from the lake. The gardens are struggling in the heat in the jungle around us; the trees are going brown so I just hope there isn’t a fire! The intense heat and flat calm conditions are making the fishing very hard, especially for the arapaima; they are just not feeding hard at all, just taking the odd snack. The Mekong catfish have started to feed in earnest again though, and it seems the stingray like the hot weather also. Talking of stingray, I was landing one for angler Eric Keogh, and stingrays are hard to net – it takes two or three of us to manhandle them into the net. As I was shoving the fish into the net, it swished its tail, impaling its sting into my foot, and I have never in my life experienced pain like it! Within seconds my whole leg was on fire; it was like someone pushing a red-hot poker up my leg, and all my muscles started to seize up as I went into shock.

The lads on the lake bundled me into our car and drove like lunatics to the local hospital, where they had been pre-warned of our arrival. The hospital had staff waiting, and I was rushed into emergency. By now the pain was excruciating, and my shirt was soaked with sweat. Immediately two doctors appeared and started injecting my foot with anesthetics and an anti-venom type substance. Next, the doctor cut open the wound and removed the sting and a black skin that covers the sting. The wound was then packed out with antibiotics and cotton wool. I had to go to hospital every day for over a week for more injections, and to have the wound opened and cleaned. All our stingrays in the lake had their stings removed, but we did not realize that every so often a stingray has two stings. This one had been overlooked and had two; the sting folds flat to the tail and we had missed this one. The 110lb fish had its sting removed this time. We have stingray to over 200lb in the lake, and in future we will no longer net them in this way until we are sure the sting is absent. Fishing at the lake is perfectly safe as stingrays stay away from people. They are like any creature – if cornered and panicked they lash out. The only time they will sting is when you start annoying them. It was my own fault for being blas? about these beautiful fish. I will have more respect for them next time, and for our customer’s safety no angler is allowed in the lake until any fish has been contained and made safe. This ensures that our customers are 100% safe at all times. For the record freshwater stingray are believed to reach 1,000lbs with 5m wingspans, so this fish was a baby really at 110lb. Mind you, can you imagine a 110lb hornet? We have five different species of fish in Gillhams over 100lb, and landing these huge fish is dangerous. We are professionals but we still get hurt; a moment’s lapse in concentration is all it takes. I will repeat our customers are safe as long as they take our advice and do not enter the water ‘til we say it is 100% safe to do so.

We are still getting the odd person, with the emphasis on odd, who come here, get a huge fish, and feel let down because they wanted one bigger. One guy this month had a 60lb Chao Phraya catfish, which is only 4lb off the world record, but he did not want a photo because in his words he will wait for a big fish. He even admitted it was the biggest fish he had ever caught! Mind you the same guy had his biggest carp, but waited for a bigger one, then when he had an arapaima and a big red tail catfish in a day, he was also disappointed because he had to wait a whole seven hours between fish! Oh where do they come from? Luckily the real nice guys who appreciate catching fish outweigh these so-called fishermen. Some people just want a trophy shot, and do not wish to put in any effort. We even get some that are gutted they don’t get several 100lb fish a day with a couple of 300lb-plus fish thrown in. We are thinking of starting a new service for these people where people can order their fish online; we will enhance their mug behind a fish and send them the picture of their prize without them even having to take the trouble to come here, and I bet we would have some takers! The other annoying people who come here who really wind us up are the litter louts. Last week we had a prat come here who actually called his self Gayland (I kid you not) with his two boyfriends, who I presume were called Ben Dover and Phil McCavity! Now he (it) was the typical berk who only wanted a trophy shot. On arrival they commented how beautiful the place is, only to throw rubbish all around their swim! Luckily I was out all day and just missed them leaving, because their swim was an absolute tip with rubbish strewn everywhere. It took the boys ten minutes to clear the mess of food wrappers, fag ends and general crap! If I had been there I would have donned the rubber gloves and dragged them by their blouses to clear up the mess themselves! We supply rubbish bags and have sand pots in the swims for faggot ends, so please use them. I personally get really angry about cigarette ends thrown on the ground or tossed in the lake. It makes me wonder what these people’s houses are like. That’s it – monthly whinge over!

Back to a bit of humor – my manager Watt, bless him, is very gullible and Sean got him a treat this month. Watt wanted to know how he could increase the size of his manhood, so Sean informed him of a cream called 3-in-1 that triples the size of your tackle, and poor young Watt fell for it. My daughter Becca bought some Immac hair remover over at Christmas, so we put it in a plain bottle and presented it to Watt. He went off with our security man the local policeman; they smeared the cream around their parts, and sat around for an hour talking of what they were going to do with their new king size weapons! After an hour they washed the cream off, along with all their forest. They came to see me in a state of horror and shock, but were very relieved when I told them it is the first stage of growth and to repeat it next month. Oh what a horrid person I am! Roll on next month!

The top method this month looks alien to European anglers, but lots of Siamese carp are coming out to a method feeder fished 3ft below a float with a golf ball sized fishmeal boilie suspended under it. Now I just wonder, would this method work in European waters? The first of the new arrivals were our dear friends Wil and Betty from Holland, who came last year for a few days and stayed a few weeks before setting off on an epic motorcycle journey from India back to Holland. This time their trip was tame, coming straight to Thailand and back by plane. We are planning a trip together now for June when we are going into the jungle fishing for Thai mahseer, that’s if the troubles in the Congo don’t end, because the minute they do we are all planning to race to catch a Goliath tiger fish. Last year Wil and Betty came as clients, and this year, as with many of our guests, they returned as friends. They planned a five-day trip here, and once again stayed longer – as Wil got into the fishing, the trip grew to ten days. We were dreading another group that came to us, as there were 30 people. We had to arrange a speedboat to collect them from an Island 50 miles away, and minibuses to transport them from the beach to here, but they were an absolute joy to host. The whole day went smoothly, and we even managed to accommodate them for the night when they didn’t wish to leave. There was not one person in the group who was the slightest problem, but the fish kept their nuts down though, as there had never been so many lines in the lake at once. Paul and Lorraine, it was a pleasure hosting you all, and we are looking forward to you all returning this year for a holiday. As for Lorraine, she deserved a medal organizing the whole holiday for 30.

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We also had a visit from two brothers who we nicknamed The Wurzels, a really nice pair of lads who lived on a farm in the country, and decided to have an adventure. They had never been out of their county, let alone the country, and they had never heard of a place called Oxford where our guide Kevin hails from. Imagine the boys’ surprise when they landed in Thailand! Apparently at home they don’t go out drinking, “We’ze don’ts goes out dranking, we’ze stays in wiz a noice cup orf tea.” We asked one brother if he saw the guy opposite land the big Mekong catfish. He replied, “Nooooooo, I warz wachin’ der arnts – oi loike arnts, they is fazinating indzects.” Yes they were proper characters, really nice lads on an adventure, and imagine their return home to the farm explaining all the things they had seen to their family, “Duz yoo nowz in that Thailand theyz eats frags snakez an bugz, and even der gals haz got willies, not likes our sis aat all, yer nowz!” I must stop, but they kept us amused and were real nice guys.

So now enough of my twaddle and onto the fishing. This month has seen 45 day tickets (30 in one group) and 38 guests on Thailand fishing holidays, fishing in Thailand from a few days to a couple of weeks. Between them they landed 465 fish of 15 species, made up as follows… 25 arapaima to 400lbs, 12 Mekong catfish to 180lbs, 255 Siamese carp to 120lbs, 72 red tail catfish to 80lbs, five alligator gar to 15lbs, four Asian red tail catfish to 30lbs, 13 black pacu to 30lbs, seven Chao Phraya catfish to 65lbs, 19 spotted sorubim to 35lbs, four Julian’s golden prize carp to 25lbs, eight spotted featherback to 10lbs, 17 rohu carp to 16lbs, 18 striped snakehead to 4lbs, five giant stingray to 120lbs, and one wallago attu of 24lb.

As mentioned earlier Wil, with his much better half Betty, from Holland were the first new guests in after Christmas. The fishing this year was slower than last, but as Wil targets big fish it suited him and his style of fishing. Wil’s target this year was to fish Siam carp. Betty once again was chief photographer, reporter, general gopher, and live bait catcher. Betty loves float fishing for our lesser species, but Wil made strict rules – no float fishing before 9am so as not to spook the fish! Wil ended his session with five arapaima to 200lb, 13 Siamese carp to 110lb, and three Mekong catfish to 130lb. That’s three species in one trip exceeding 100lb! Plus he had five red tail catfish to 45lb, and some rohu and pacu.

The next new arrivals who came to us via Siam fishing tours, were totally laid back Mark with his non-fishing wife Carol. I have never in my life met someone as chilled out as Mark, a lovely guy who just got taken in by the peace and tranquility of Gillhams. We actually had to pick up Mark and all his equipment and move him to a different spot, as for four days Mark sat gazing in awe at the beauty of our resort, failing to cast at showing fish or sometimes for that matter even failing to cast. Poor Mark ended the trip with just one fish (mind you that was one more than Siam fishing tours managed to get him). He has vowed to return with his fishing head on next time, but mind you, Mark showed that you do not need to catch fish to enjoy a trip here. Day-ticket visitor pearl necklace Terry came for a day on the busiest day of the month when we had the group of 30 in, but he saw enough to fit a four-hour session in the next morning before leaving Krabi, and his keenness paid off with a 55lb Chao Phraya catfish and three Siamese carp to 40lb. Ian Norris, an ex-pat living in Australia did the usual, a 24-hour trip, and left it ‘til the last hour to catch, but it was worth the wait when first he landed a rare wallago attu at 24lb, followed by the ever-friendly Siamese carp, Black Spot, at 70lb.

Steve Cox made a return visit for a three-day trip with his mate Colin and two Thai friends, Kuan and Jay, who are regulars at Bungsamlan Lake in Bangkok. The Thai lads gave the two Brits a proper lesson in fishing with their knowledge of Thai species, landing 25 fish to the Britt’s 11 fish! Whenever Coxie leaves Gillhams, a big Siamese carp comes out, and this trip was no exception because as he left Wil had a 110lb carp. Another 48-hour visitor was builder Steve Holberry from Manchester with his mate Mark. They landed 12 fish between them, with the icing on the cake going to Steve in the shape of a 90lb Siamese carp. The cobblers from Manchester, Ross and Slim John, made the short drive from Phuket for a 1? day trip. Slim John only made part of the first day, and retired knackered after landing seven carp in a short flurry of action, deciding to stop while ahead, and work his way through our restaurant menu! Ross meanwhile gave his all, fishing ‘til the final whistle for a haul of six Siamese carp to 60lb, one 50lb red tail catfish, and a 150lb Mekong catfish. This fish took him all over the lake while Slim sat eating a box of pies. Judging by the amount consumed by Slim, we estimated the fight took one hour, or 10 pies, 11 cakes, a bucket of ice cream, and 20 fags!

Then came the incredible hulk brothers Ricky and Terry Clark. These two giants were spot-on sound guys who came and enjoyed every moment of their stay. They came hoping for an arapaima, but whatever they caught was a bonus – just the attitude needed to fish here. Now the first day Ricky, who is about 10ft tall with a physique that makes Arnie look a wimp, caught a nice Mekong catfish. He plucked it from the landing net as if it was a minnow, “How big,” he asked? Well judging by the ease with which he had just lifted, it I would have said 5lb, but went for 120lb instead so as not to offend him! “No,” he stated, “I reckon 180lb,” and who was I to argue? But to humour him, I went to lift it, and amidst laughter from all around, I nearly followed through, and for sure it was easily 180lb. Ricky went on to take three Mekong, 17 Siamese carp, two red tail catfish, one pacu, and his target species, a nice 200lb arapaima. Terry, who is the same size as Ricky, with arms like hams, caught ten fish including two 100lb-plus arapaima. I am very glad the brothers were here when they were, as during this time I had the mishap with the stingray, and the lads plucked me from the lake like a feather and ran with me to the waiting car. Thanks you two, I owe you one. The hot weather was certainly bringing the stingrays on the feed, as two days later Keith from Liverpool landed another one, minus a sting! This fish weighed in at 120lb, and compensated for a lost arapaima.

Another laid back Mr. Nice Guy, Ken Weeks, booked in for a week. Ken came to chill out and hopefully catch a few fish. He was great fun to be with, and thoroughly enjoyed his stay here. The first few days Ken just chilled in the wrong swim, but was not bothered. Later in the week he moved to the other end of the lake, landing 31 fish for the week. He got into a shoal of Siamese carp, and took 18 to 50lb. At the same time my dear friends Jamie and Carol Mclean arrived just for a quiet break to see us. Jamie did manage a couple of short sessions between the swimming pool and sightseeing, while Carol divulged her secret steak and kidney pudding and bacon pudding recopies to Steve. Oh mate, these are to die for, and are now on the menu here at Gillhams – I have already put on another 20lbs! Jamie’s best fish from five was a red tail of 65lb. I had an enquiry before Christmas from a guy by the name of Jerker who wished to visit for a 48-hour trip. I thought it was a wind-up from a mate, but actually it turns out to be a popular name in Scandinavian countries – apparently there are lots of Jerkers over there! I suppose when they leave they say Jerker’s off! Sorry couldn’t resist that; it’s a bit like the lad called Wayne Kerr. OK back to the story… Jerker was a fishing fanatic; he booked three rods, and was buzzing from the moment he arrived. He had his better half Ida with him, and what a pair! He said that Ida could fish, but he only wanted her to use maize or boilies so as not to catch bigger fish than him. The first day Ida was a machine, taking eight Siamese carp in a short feeding spell, but the next day she properly gave Jerker a spanking with a 150lb Mekong catfish in the morning, followed by three more Siamese carp to 120lb. While all this was happening, poor Jerker in the next swim landed just two fish. The following week Jerker returned for a day’s fishing, and to save face poor Ida was not allowed to fish! He had a better day, probably because Ida was showing him what to do, landing five fish with some small carp, by Ida’s standards, up to 55lb, along with a nice featherback around 12lb.

Reiner from Dream Lake in Chiang Mai sent his Austrian client Andreas to us. By the time he arrived we were in the middle of a heatwave and the fishing was slow, but in a week he still managed 21 fish of five species. His target featherback eluded him, but on the final day, in the last hour of fishing, Andreas landed a dream fish in the shape of a 400lb arapaima! This was the same fish that rescued Len Gurd’s trip last month, again in the last hour of the last day. This arapaima is just packing on the weight – it was stocked at 300lb and avoided capture for 18 months. We are sure if it avoids capture for the next 18 months, it will reach 500lbs! At the same time as Andreas we had German client Peter in for three days. Peter’s target were predators, and he scored with two arapaima, best 160lb-plus, an 85lb stingray, and also took three red tail catfish. Germany has been making a good appearance here this month, and our final German client for the month was catfish fanatic Michael Zellner, who came for four days, and immediately rebooked for July when the heatwave will be well and truly over, as it will be our rainy season by then. Michael only landed nine fish due to the extreme heat, as we suffered the hottest January on record, but he did land his dream fish, an arapaima of 120lb. Michael’s attitude was what we wish everyone’s would be, enjoy the holiday – one big fish makes the holiday, and he could see enough potential here if the weather is kind to re book.

A bit of a sad one is the way to describe the next visitors. Here at Gillhams we want everyone to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the lake. We designed a fishery for the specialist angler where patience is rewarded with the biggest fish of your dreams. Most people catch a dream fish in a week, and sometimes two or three. We have never claimed Gillhams as a mackerel fishing location where you catch a fish a chuck from an overcrowded stock pond where all the fish are starving and emaciated. Our fish are the biggest and best-conditioned fish in Asia due to a low stocking density and an abundance of natural food. You should expect around four fish a day with a dream fish as a bonus. Henk and Job from Holland had not done their homework because if you look through our website you will see we are not a single specie overstocked bowl, and we chose the area for its peace, quiet and beauty, not like Bungsamlan in Bangkok where you can sit with crowds of muppets crossing lines amongst skyscrapers and fumes, hauling out vast bags of starved, badly beaten catfish before heading back to your hotel through traffic jams for a night of debauchery in the girlie bars. Unfortunately Gillhams was not for Henk and Job, so after a few days of only fishing part time they landed six fish, with a stingray of 80lb and Siamese carp to 50lb, before they headed back to Bangkok for a wild time in the bars, plus sticking hooks in numerous half starved and tatty Mekong and striped catfish amongst the crowds.

By contrast to Henk and Job, the next guest had read up on us, and wanted peace, quiet and big fish in beautiful surroundings. The spritely 70-years-young Arthur Hawkins, with his delightful fishing partner and wife Angie, came for a week on their way home from visiting their daughter and grandchildren in Australia. Arthur first noticed Gillhams via the article by Gary Newman in Anglers Mail after the Anglers Mail visit here. Arthur’s target was a big fish of any species, as he wanted to win a Jonny foreigner hat. In a week of chilling out and a second honeymoon, Arthur landed 13 fish of five species, the best being two arapaima to 220lb, and four red tail catfish to 75lb. Not to be outdone, Angie showed just what the women can do; she was a very competent and experienced fisherwoman who is thoroughly enjoying retirement with Arthur, fishing around the world. Angie landed 12 fish of four species, the best being four red tail catfish to 80lb, and six Siamese carp to 45lb. If poor Angie had not lost a couple of big fish, one being an arapaima, she would have upstaged Arthur. The couple both realized that the extreme heat was slowing the fishing, but agreed that Gillhams would still be paradise without the fish – in their words the fish were a bonus. Top couple, top fishing – we will see them both later in the year.

Gillhams is starting to get noticed in Singapore, so if any of our Singaporean followers are reading this and know the dates of the Singapore fishing show, please email me so we can attend and show just what we have, only a 1? hour flight from Singapore. One guy who made the trip this month was Nick Wheeler, an ex-pat Englishman working and living there, Nick came with his wife and one-year-old daughter for a week’s holiday with three days fishing, and landed ten fish in the three days of six species, with arapaima to 120lb, Chao Phraya catfish to 60lb, a baby Mekong catfish of 65lb, plus red tail catfish to 65lb along with Siamese carp and sorubim, all in all a fair bit of sport for a short trip.

So that’s me running out of space folks, but don’t forget the Five Lakes show on the 7/8 March. By the time you get next month’s newsletter I will be freezing in the UK, wearing shoes, long trousers and jackets for the first time in a year! If your fishing club want a talk on Thailand fishing holidays or fishing in Thailand, please contact me, as I still have some dates available. Forget the recession, and treat yourself to the fishing trip of a lifetime here at www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com Phone +66861644554. So, ‘til next month, from all of us at Gillhams, bye for now, thanks for your support, and catch a whacker.

Stuart and the team.

Please check out our web site … http://www.gillhamsfishingresorts.com for all the latest news and info about fishing in Thailand at Gillhams Fishing Resorts.

What Is The Best Golf Ball For My Game?

What Is The Best Golf Ball For My Game?

Article by Werner Michael Heus

Golfers are always looking to improve their game, aren’t they?

Well one way they can see improvement without taking a lesson is by picking the right ball. Don’t make the mistake of thinking one size ball fits all; there are different balls for different types of play.

Golf ball technology has come a long way. Balls are now better made, fly straighter, and go farther than in years past. They’ve also been able to make the dimples uniform so the ball is symmetrical. The dimples help decrease the drag on the ball so it flies farther.

If you’re on the driving range, you will use the driving range’s bucket of balls. These balls are different in that they’re one piece construction. This makes them very durable and inexpensive – perfect for the driving range but not good for course play.

If you’re a beginning golfer, you might choose a ball that’s of two piece construction. These balls will give you good distance, which you can surely use more of when you’re a beginner, but they don’t give you a lot of control.

If you’re more beginner than pro and you’ve got a wicked hook or slice, you should use a low spin ball. Because of the low spin, they’re more likely to go straight, although maybe not as far.

For most mid-level golfers the mid spin ball is just right. These golfters don’t have a lot of issues with their swing and they need a ball that goes the distance and yet gives them some control. This is what the mid spin ball offers.

If you’re a low handicapper, you probably want a ball that sails through the air the farthest. With the high spin ball you get that, but you don’t get a lot of roll when the ball has landed. Presumably that won’t matter so much because your ball will be landing closer to the pin. Since this golf ball doesn’t roll as well, it’s also good for the greens as you’re able to control it better.

Now take a look at the golf ball compression rating, which is basically how hard or soft the ball feels. If you have a fast swing, then choose a higher compression rating. If your swing is slow, go with a lower rating.

Unfortunately, you will not pick out one type of ball and use it every single time. There are factors to consider on a day to day basis such as the playing surface, the weather, and intricacies of each hole. Arm yourself with knowledge and do some experimentation to figure out which balls work best for you in different situations.

About the Author

http://www.playbestgolf-blog.com

How to Survive in the Woods

How to Survive in the Woods

How to Survive in the Woods

Ever been on a hike admiring the wild flowers, gazing up at the tips of the trees, and suddenly found yourself completely alone and lost? What would happen to you if you couldn’t find your way back to safety? While being lost in the woods can be a frightening experience, surviving alone in the wild is generally a matter of common sense, patience, and wisely using the gifts that nature provides. All you need to survive for a few days is shelter, warmth, water, and food.

Steps
Preparing

1. Plan ahead. Don’t just trek off into the wilderness, do some research first. There are a lot of resources regarding and in libraries, but warning: many of the techniques used in these manuals are sometimes wrong or incomplete. One of the most accurate books about this subject is “Bushcraft – Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival” by Mors Kochanski. Educate yourself about the flora and fauna of the area you are exploring. Knowledge of the local plants and animals can save your life! Also, see if you need any medication or injections.
2. Make sure someone knows where you are going every time you go into the wilderness, and how long you intend to be gone. That way someone will realize that you are missing, quickly help your friends alert rescuers, and be able to tell them where to start looking for you. Note: this is like a ‘flight plan’ which pilots file before leaving. Similarly, don’t forget to call the person(s) you notified to tell them when you are back. Like “the boy who cried wolf” a false alarm wastes rescue resources and may be costly (some communities have begun to bill the parties responsible).
3. Be prepared. Basic survival tools such as a knife, a magnesium stone, some matches, some cord, a whistle, a “space blanket”, signaling mirror, etc. can mean the difference between life and death. Even if you are only out on a day hike, be sure to bring the essentials. Having all this equipment is nothing if you cannot use it properly. Make sure to practice many times in a safe environment before venturing into the wilderness. Also, know how to catch and cook fish and game if the need arises.
4. Cell phone with spare battery or a portable CB radio can be your best, quickest means of rescue if you are truly lost or injured. A cell signal may only be obtainable from a hill or tree – but be safe if contemplating a climb. Serious hikers may even consider investing in a personal locator beacon for extended, precarious, or very remote, treks.

During the situation

1. Don’t panic. Panic is more dangerous than almost anything else, because it interferes with the operation of your single best, most useful and versatile survival tool: your mind. The moment you realize that you are lost, before you do anything else, stop. Take a deep breath and stay calm. Even if you’re hanging from a rope halfway down a mountainside with a broken leg, remind yourself that people have survived exactly this situation.
2. Stand still and look around carefully! Wherever you are will become your “point zero.” Find a way to mark it using a spare piece of clothing, a pile of rocks, a sheet of paper, or anything else easily visible from a distance.
3. Stay in one place, and you not only increase your chances of being found, you also increase your ability to survive by reducing the energy your body expends and the amount of water and food you will need. Hunker down and stay put. Chances are that someone will be looking for you, especially if you let someone know your plans, (see above).
4. Signal your location to maximize the odds that someone finds you. Make noise by whistling, shouting, singing, or banging rocks together. If you can, mark your location in such a way that it’s visible from the air. If you’re in a mountain meadow, make three piles of dark leaves or branches in a triangle. In sandy areas, make a large triangle in the sand. In a forest, you might want to prepare three small fires ready to ignite at a moment’s notice, with heaps of wet leaves nearby in order to make smoke. Three of anything in the wilderness is a standard distress signal.
5. Start scouting your area, carefully keeping track of your location. Be sure you can always find your way back to your “point zero” as you search for water, shelter, or your way home.
6. Find or create shelter. Without adequate shelter, you will be fully exposed to the elements and will risk hypothermia or heatstroke, depending on the weather. If you are not properly dressed for the conditions, finding shelter is all the more important. Luckily, the woods are filled with tools and resources to make both shelters and fires (for warmth, safety, and signaling purposes). Here are some things you can use:

* Look for a fallen or leaning tree. You can build a lean-to by stacking branches alongside a fallen tree, then over the branches with brush, palm fronds, or other plants.
* Use brush or green branches (boughs) from trees to repel water, block wind, keep out snow, or create shade. Close in your shelter on as many sides as possible.
* Caves can be great, but be sure the cave is not already occupied by bears, large cats, snakes or other unfriendly animals; they know caves are good too, and they’ve been looking for good shelter for longer than you have. Also make sure it’s not going to collapse on you- this reduces your chances of survival considerably.
7. Find a good source of water. In a survival situation, you can last up to three days without water, but by the end of the second day you’re not going to be in very good shape; find water before then.

* The best source of water is a spring, but the chances of finding one are slim. A running stream is your next best bet; the movement of the water reduces sediment. Be advised that drinking water from streams can lead to some sicknesses, but when you’re in a life-or-death situation, the risk of illness is a secondary consideration.
* Or use jacket sleeves to tie around your ankles when it’s morning, and walk in the grass to get dew on the sleeves, then suck the moisture out of the fabric.
8. Purify your water. A crude method of water purification is to take your handy pot and heat the water. For this to effectively kill bacteria, it must be at a rolling boil for at least three minutes[1].
9. Build a fire. Build a good sized fire, one with sufficient coals to stay hot for many hours, and make sure that you have plenty of extra dry wood.

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* A good rule of thumb is to gather wood until you have enough to last the night, then gather three more piles of the same size, and you might have enough to get through the night.
* In the wilderness you should have access to dry wood in the understory of the forest. You can also use bark or dried dung. If you build a fire that is hot enough, you can also burn green wood, brush, or tree boughs to make a signaling fire (one that makes a lot of smoke).
* The best wood for maintaining a fire is dead wood that you pull off a standing tree. Regardless of what type of woods you are in, there will certainly be some dry wood available. Remember that a small fire is easier to keep burning than a big fire, though, because it requires less fuel. Once you have sufficient embers, keep the fire to a manageable size so you don’t spend too much time looking for fuel.
* Find tinder (small material, such as dry grass, feathers or bark shavings, that burns easily). When burned, Tinder creates alot of smoke, that alerts people to your location.
* Start the fire. You can usually use the energy from the sun to start a fire with a magnifying glass, a lens from your glasses, a piece of broken glass, a cover to a watch or compass, or other clear, light-intensifying objects. It is very difficult to start a fire by friction; your best bet is to carry a variety of fire-starting implements.
10. Find safe food. Know that most healthy adults can survive up to three weeks without food unless it’s cold.[2] It’s better to be hungry and healthy than ill. Make sure that you know food is safe before eating it. If there is anything that will lessen your ability to survive, it is being both lost and deathly ill. Starvation won’t be a big problem.

* Don’t be afraid to eat insects and other bugs. While it may be disgusting to eat a few grasshoppers, they do provide useful nutrition. All insects should be cooked as they can harbor parasites that can kill you. Do not eat any caterpillars or brightly colored insects, as these can poison you. Do not eat any insect that can bite or sting you, such as bees and scorpions. Remember if it has six legs or less, it’s most likely ok to eat. Remove the legs, head and wings of any insect before eating.
* If you are near water, fish are a good choice. The only problem is they are hard to catch. Minnows can be eaten whole. Bigger fish will have to be cooked.
* Berries are good to eat. There is a color test to berries that can help you find what is edible. White and yellow berries are poisonous 90% of the time. Blue and black berries are okay to eat 90% of the time. Red berries are a 50-50 shot. Aggregate berries (Bumpy ones like blackberries and raspberries ) are okay to eat 100% of the time, with the only exception being a white berry that grows in Alaska.

Tips

* Tie bright clothing (jackets, bandannas, and even underwear) to the top of a tree to attract attention.
* If you’re stuck without a compass, you can orient yourself by taking your watch, aligning the hour hand with the sun, then placing a blade of grass in between the hour hand and the 12 on your watch. The direction the blade of grass is pointing is South. This works in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, reverse the role of the the hour-hand and 12, and the blade of grass will be pointing North. Near the equator, take note where the sun rises and sets, the sun rises from the east and sets on the west.
* You can survive several weeks without food, but only few days without water, and perhaps only hours without shelter. Keep your priorities straight.
* If you’re not absolutely sure where you are and how to get back to familiar territory, don’t proclaim, “I think it’s this way.” The more you move once you realize you’re lost, the worse your chances are of finding your way back.
* Consider taking a staff or walking stick with you. If you don’t have one, any staff-sized stick will do. The little mark it makes in the dirt will help you retrace your steps better than Hansel and Gretel.
* It is safer not to go into the wilderness alone.
* One of the most important survival tools is something that most people never consider: a tin cup. Without a tin cup it is difficult to cook many foods.
* A firearm has always been an essential tool of the woods. A .22 rifle or pistol can serve as a means of obtaining food, self-protection from humans or animals and a signaling device. The cartridges can also be used for fire-starting.
* Another under rated but important item for a survival pack is a large lightweight trash bag. They pack down small, but can be used to carry water from a stream, can be wrapped around a leafy branch end to trap the water vapor given off from the leaves, and can be used as an emergency poncho in wet or cold weather after cutting a hole for head and arms. Stuffing your makeshift poncho with extra leaves or grass can also give additional insulation when cold.
* Don’t rely upon modern technology like cell phones, GPS units, or radios to save you if you are lost. Take one with you if it’s available. But remember that these items are not foolproof; have a backup plan.
* An important acronym to remember is “STOP” which stands for stop, think, observe, and plan.
* Whenever you go out in the wilderness, (for example, going on a hike), bring a whistle. 1 blow means “I’m lost”, 2 blows means “I’m coming” (if you hear someone else blow a whistle), and 3 blows means “This is an emergency” (if you are hurt).
* At night, there is a greater risk of freezing to death. Stay dry. Bundle up. Get yourself off the ground. Make a “bed” of layers of branches, leaves, twigs, whatever is there, and cover yourself with the same stuff. To stay warm at night, heat rocks in the fire and then bury them. Sleep on top of the buried rocks. Make sure you bury them deep enough or you will burn yourself.
* If you happen to have a reflective object on you (a mirror, a belt buckle, whatever), use it as a signal by facing it towards the sun.
* If planning an extended trip into difficult or unfamiliar terrain, it is always a good idea to have a backup plan. Detailed maps/trail guides, extra food and water, and signaling devices such as a mirror, flare, or even (depending on the length and location of the trip) a satellite beacon (PLB) could save your life.
* Rain, snow, or dew can be a good source of clean water. You can use anything from a cup to a piece of waterproof cloth to a large leaf to collect precipitation.
* If you cannot stay where you are until someone finds you, do not just pick a direction and start walking, even if you have a means of ensuring that you continue to go that direction. Instead, try to go either uphill or downhill. Going uphill offers a good chance that you will find a vantage point, which can help you get your bearings. If you go downhill, you will probably find water which you can follow downstream; in many cases, this will lead you to civilization. But don’t follow water downstream at night or in fog as it may go off a cliff.
* Never, ever go into the woods without a compass. Note which direction you enter the woods from, say, a straight road or trail and if you get disoriented just head back in the opposite direction from which you entered. If you don’t have one, use or learn your cardinal directions from the stars and the positions of the sun and moon.
* Shoe/Boot laces make good rope in an emergency situation, but remember once they’re removed, walking will become more difficult.
* Shirt sleeves can be cut off and used as bandages if necessary. Remember to only tie them around a wound so that they are still loose enough to stick one or two fingers between the bandage and the appendage/body.
* A belt can also be used to hold a bandage in place (not too tightly!), as an equipment strap, or as a snare.
* The sleeves of a waterproof jacket can be used to hold water by tying one end of them.
* If you want to fish, you can make a fishing rod out of a stick about 2 meters (6 feet) long and 1-3 inches thick (just bring your own fishing hooks). Peel the bark off the stick and, with a knife or axe, cut a notch about 2-3 inches from the top of the rod. Tie one end of any string or cord placed in the notch, then tie the hook on the other end of the string or cord. Also, you can try to bait the hook with a small piece of meat, an insect, or any other thing you want to try to use as bait.
* Your primary survival knife should be a fixed blade with a solid, sturdy handle; a folding knife should only be used as a back-up, although it is better than nothing.

Warnings

* Keep your fire contained! Ensure that there is no combustible material underneath your fireplace and enclose it completely with rocks or a berm made of sand. Put your fire out with copious amounts of water: saturate it, so that there is no possibility of even the tiniest spark remaining. You should be able to touch the extinguished coals with your bare hand. It’s one thing to be lost in the woods, but quite another to be lost and surrounded by a forest fire caused by your own negligence.
* If you encounter snakes, leave them alone. Snakes bite because they are hungry or because they are threatened. We are too big to be seen as prey to most snakes; they do not regard humans as food. Stand still and the snake will go away. Attack it and it will retaliate. If one curls up in your kit, use a long stick to gently prod it away. If it comes in your direction, stand still. It doesn’t know that you are causing its discomfort and if you do not jump around, it will probably not even notice you. There are several ways to identify venomous snakes, but it is best to treat every snake cautiously unless you can make a positive identification. In a survival situation, it is possible to eat snake. If you don’t know whether a snake is venomous or not, but would like to eat it, a good rule of thumb is to cut off the head, and then cut the same distance back from that point down the body. This will remove the venom glands, if there are any. Remember, though, that it is against federal law to kill certain endangered species of snakes, and it is against some state laws to kill any snake (snakes help control vermin and insect levels).
* Make sure that, if you heat rocks for warmth, that they are not wet. When heating them in the fire, they will explode as the water inside the cracks turn to vapor. Keep in mind that this might also be a concern when in a cave–too much heat on overhanging or adjacent rocks can cause explosions or shifting of your shelter.
* Never travel directly in a river because water absorbs your heat much more than air, which can lead to hypothermia.
* Drinking your own urine as a source of water is not recommended.[3]

Things You’ll Need

These are things that are very hard to make or that you won’t find in the woods.

* Whistle with a compass in it (these are sold on a necklace of cord sometimes, and you can use the cord, too, if you need it)
* Water container
* Fire starters – Matches, Lighter, Flint/Magnesiumn & Steel, Magnifying glass or lens(sometimes on the cord of a compass)
* Lint or fluff (it’s weightless and good tinder)
* Pot to boil water/cook food
* Universal tool/Swiss Army Knife
* Map of area
* Fishing hooks and a good quantity of fishing line. Coil it up and stow in a pocket. The hooks are good if you want to fish, but can come in handy for other purposes, too, and they weigh almost nothing. Stick them and the wire into your wallet and put it in your back pocket.
* Three or four protein bars, or small portions of trail mix
* Space blanket or bivvy bag (both high visibility of reflective)
* Basic first aid kit
* Small water bottles(unopened until you get lost)
* At least a 5 inch pocket knife

Optional Items

* water purifying tablets
* spare clothes
* magnifying glass (for fire)
* compass
* cotton balls in a bag with Vaseline on them (This is not only for chapped lips, but as an ointment for cuts and sunburn relief. Most importantly, when you tear the cotton balls, and mix them with the Vaseline, the result is very flammable, which will burn smoothly and for a long duration. This is great for making torches and starting fires. Do not use on burns!)
* Rope/string
* Sewing kit/floss(useful for repairs and fishing line)

Please visit my site for more info and tips about this subject, thank you.

http://sentinel-midnightfire.blogspot.com/

Safe Caravan Driving for Australia plus Concentration and Fatigue Symptoms

Safe Caravan Driving for Australia plus Concentration and Fatigue Symptoms

Article by Ian Molloy

Safe driving is essential at all times, but when towing a caravan your driving conditions change. Take some time before you travel to re-acquaint yourself with road safety rules.

AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES

Road rules are consistent right across Australia, but some rules vary to suit local conditions. For example, in the Northern Territory there are a lot of out back roads that have no speed limit. In Melbourne, vehicles must do a “hook turn” by pulling to the left and not queuing across tram tracks when turning right. This enables trams to continue on smoothly and not be stuck behind vehicles wishing to turn right. You are also not allowed to overtake trams on the right and must stop behind a trams when it is stationary if there are no “passenger isles. For more information on road rules, and the differences between States and Territories, contact the National Road Transport Commission

CONCENTRATION

For continual safe driving by observing the following tips can help to keep your focus on the road, avoiding the biggest single cause of all road accidents:

Wear lightweight, non-restrictive clothing Wear good quality anti-glare sunglasses. Drive with both hands on the wheel all the time. Sit at a comfortable distance from the wheel. Make all seat, belt and rear-view mirror adjustments before you take off. Do not allow conversations to distract you – resolve issues likely to prove contentious before you take off, or pull over if something comes up that cannot wait. Do not use a mobile phone while driving.

FATIGUE

Fatigue is a killer. Driving while tired is a major contributor in up to 25 per cent of serious road accidents. Studies have shown that very tired drivers are as bad as drink drivers. To maintain safe driving and avoid driving fatigue, observe the following tips:

Take a 10-15 minute break every two hours and a longer break every four hours. Limit driving to a maximum of 10 hours per day. Get plenty of sleep before you travel. Do not drive when you would normally sleep, such as very early in the morning or late at night. Have nutritious snacks every couple of hours, rather than big meals at longer intervals. Share the driving if possible. With another driver the distance you must drive is halved. Watch out for fatigue symptoms such as daydreaming, drowsiness, sore eyes, boredom, restlessness and aches and pains. Self-awareness is crucial to staying safe.

This is the seventeenth page of 23 with related information about making the most of your caravan holiday. Check our website at www.crikey-adventure-tours.com/caravan-holiday.html for the other articles.

About the Author

Ian Molloy is the owner of Crikey Adventure Tours. Visit his website www.crikey-adventure-tours.com for more information about this article and other related topics. His site is full of very helpful travel information including tips onmotorcycle travel, driving cross-country, travelling with a caravan and other camping and travel information.

Online Dating-3 Things To Look For In Online Profiles

Online Dating-3 Things To Look For In Online Profiles

Article by Vivian Johnson

When you are faced with tens of thousands of online profiles, there must be a way to sort through them and find just the ones that would suit you best!

One of the first things to look for in online profiles is compatibility. As Singles, if we have been lonely for awhile, we stop looking for what we “want” and start looking for what we will “accept”. That is a big mistake!

When looking for someone you are compatible with, be honest with yourself. If you have never spent the night outdoors, even as a child you never caught caterpillars in a jar to see if they would really change into butterflies; do not try and “accept” someone that adores the outdoors! All of their vacation time and holidays is spent outdoors! Trust me, it will not work.

Second, is location. If you are an extremely social person and hate spending time alone, then I will tell you now that long distance relationships are not for you.

Please decide in advance whether or not you want a long distance relationship. The mistake a lot of Singles make is getting to know someone that is thousands of miles away. Eventually they develop feelings for this person. At this point in the relationship they find themselves at a “fork” in the road; abandon a relationship that could possibly lead to love? Or try and cope with a long distance relationship. This should not be an “after thought”. It could have been avoided…

Third, make sure you and the Single you are looking for are both looking for the same type of relationship. If you want to find a partner for life do not link up with someone that is looking for a casual “hook-up”

So, the three things to look for are compatibility, location, and relationship type. Keep these in mind…add a few more online dating skills and you will be good to go! Now get going…!

About the Author

Vivian has been involved with online dating since it’s inception! This is her main dating forum, since there is no other place in the world where you can have access to millions of eligible singles!

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Sports Club Change Room

Sports Club Change Room

Article by Siteandr

At our golf club, the ladies change room had a recent makeover. It made such a change, everyone just cant stop talking about it. While it was taking place, it was a little inconvenient, because we had to share the mens change room and you can imagine what a nuisance that was.

First all the changing cubicles were taken down in the ladies change room, then the shower stalls. It was chaos for quite some time. The floor were broken out. The whole floor surface was then tiled. Beautiful large shiny pale champagne colored tiles with very dark grouting. Whoever made the selection, knew their job. It made the whole place look bright and shiny, unlike the dark wood floors it had before. Have to say that those wooden floors have been there since the early 50s.

After the floors, the shop fitters came to fit new changing cubicles, each one with its own full length mirror, small shelf, some sturdy wall hooks and a little chair to sit on when changing shoes. The wall paneling was of the same color as the tiles and it was a vast improvement on the institutional green of before. How they did it, I dont know, but they managed to fit the same number of changing cubicles as before, but the new ones are noticeably bigger.

All of us are avid golfers and kept close watch on every stage of the renovations. Of course there were some who couldnt help themselves and made nasty remarks and comments about what was being done. No doubt their noses were out of joint because they were not consulted during the decision making period. Next up were the showers. The old showers were just open showers, each with a plastic shower curtain. Any little breeze would blow the shower curtains in or outward and there wasnt very much privacy. We hardly made use of these showers, unless we were sure that there wouldnt be any other people coming to use the toilet or change rooms. The new showers each were in its own cubicle, with a door, a mirror, a shelf, sturdy wall hooks and a chair.But the piece de resistance was the vanity dresser. Truly only a woman could have thought of that. As long as the wall was, they have fitted a countertop. Under this countertop were lockers, very prettily done in smooth melamine finish, the same color as the floor and the cubicles. Above the countertop was a mirror that reached the ceiling. It created the impression of lots of space. The wall at the entrance also sported a floor to ceiling mirror. You could now watch yourself from top to toe, and be sure that what others see, will be what you see.

Back to the vanity dresser: the woman who have thought of this wonder, (Im still sure it was a woman) had several pedestal chairs put in front of the dresser, comfortable and high enough for us to sit and do our hair and makeup. Each seating place has its own power supply. You could keep a hair dryer in your locker under the countertop. Together with whatever makeup, perfumes, deodorants and fragrances you wanted to, to make you smell as fresh as a daisy after a hot round of golf.

About the Author

To learn more about perfumes and fragrances tips, visit our site.

Wifi|Router Reviews|– Choosing Your Future Router

Wifi|Router Reviews|– Choosing Your Future Router

Wireless router just packed upward? Tired of limitless wireless router reviews? Maybe you just got faster Internet access and wish a beefier device for all those must have movies, brand new tracks and everything else. Relax – in the following paragraphs I’m going to give you some tips on searching for the right piece of equipment at the correct price.

Where do we start? What is a cellular router as well as why do I need it? It’s not rocket science — a wireless router allows you to access the Internet by way of your broadband Internet connection and your (yours, your own partners, your family / flat-mates and so on), laptop, Computer, Mac, iPod, PS3, Nintendo wii, iPad or whatever you want to connect.

Making that happen quickly, hassle-free and reliably is the goal however I’m sure you will not want simply anyone in a position to grab your own connection, maybe impersonate you, nab your credit card particulars, personal details or even whatever you maintain most dear on your computer so we need to ensure which up-to-date security is essential have. Questions I won’t end up being answering in the following paragraphs are those from the technical viewpoint such as “how do I configure hubs?” — there are plenty of content articles on when you really want it.

So what is the first step? Well good quality evaluations from the coal-face are a must as well as some pointers to the most suitable products and where you’ll get them. It’s hard to imagine a global without wireless routers and networking now but not such a long time ago it was the stuff of sci-fi and the technology continues to develop quickly — it doesn’t indicates its easy to pick the correct one.

There are many different types of router available on the market for different requirements – we’ll concentrate for the time being on the house / little office market. As with most things in life there’s a range of prices depending on needs – everything from “get going quickly” in order to models that will back up your computer data and probably clean your car… for any price.

To be able to stay over the wave of hype we can begin by looking at your own usage. Have you been just wanting to surf in the living room or even on the outdoor patio? Do you want simple set up or even are you prepared to wade in? Are you a gamer or operate a business? Functions such as visitors prioritisation, virtual machines or VPN assistance will appeal more but might have a higher cost (not usually though!).

A basic yardstick though is that the much more features a modem has the more costly it will be to buy. At the bottom finish if you have old laptops with maybe 802.11b or g cellular cards (more than 3 years aged likely) you’ll probably probably just have a basic modem. E.grams. Tenda Wireless-N150 could be a fast option along with just b or g connectivity switched on.

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A slight bit of technical knowledge – don’t be concerned its painless and may help you save a few pennies! Older 802.11b as well as 802.11g devices make use of the 2.4GHz cellular bandwidth whilst newer 802.11n may use 2.Four and Five Ghz bands – the latter music group is better for throughput-intensive networking such as gaming or movie streaming. End associated with technical little bit.

Your basic laptop will not benefit from a flashy brand new router but can get away with a single band 2.43Ghz D router – it is backwards compatible — I’ll show you a quick method to set everything up inside a later post – something similar to the ‘cisco’ E1000 may fill up this market. However if you have a new laptop computers then taking a look at one that deals with both rings is a much better bet (don’t be concerned the DLink DIR-825 can do all this for you personally!).

If you have a Mac, iPad etc though looking at a good Apple router may be a good bet.

Security
Next I’ll be looking at security and some other features you’ll need and some you do not! As we saw previously it’s not too hard to get up and running having a wireless modem but how about the bad men out to crack our charge cards and infect our Computers? How do we cease them? Will i really want to let my neighbour leech all my data transfer? What if my personal credit card details go missing? How do you stop it before it takes place?

Well this certainly can happen – I secured the wireless system for a buddy – shortly afterward his neighbour stated “looks like we would better get our own broadband internet connection right now…”. A little can take you a long way – security need not be a hassle by following these simple tips: –

* Ensure you arranged a password for your wireless system – the actual router set up on your device should prompt you for a password – ensure you key in something just you would understand and always follow good security password advice – Google “good passwords” to learn more.
* Don’t connect your router to the Internet until you have arranged the password!
* If you wish to set access control for your kids ensure you buy a router along with access regulates – for example DLink DIR-825. Access regulates could restrict what websites certain users can look from as well as what times of day they can use the Internet (stopping bleary eyed teens staying up for an all-nighter available of Duty!)

All this can be undone if you fail to adhere to basic recommendations on connected wireless products, e.grams. regular anti-virus improvements, keeping up up to now with security patches (at the.g. with regard to Windows devices using Home windows Update) and never writing down your password on a post-it on the laptop!

To summarise in those immortal words – “Don’t Panic” but don’t close your vision and you should end up being fine.

Want to browse in your backyard? Get i-tunes in the kitchen? View films in the bath? Well maybe you perform want to stream movies in the bath?

Exactly what should you look at when selecting a router to meet this requirements? Routers are only able to work as far as they can task their cellular signals – this is serious problem if you choose the a modem with poor performance in this region (unless you live in a small flat of course!). If access inside your favourite location for surging (backyard, potting shed etc) has gone out because you scrimped upon features it could be cash down the drain.

Look at range as a key function if you have heavy walls or perhaps a couple of floors between you and your favoured browse spot — key to range is the modem aerials (antennas to All of us readers) these are either exterior (sticks poking out of the back of the trouter) or internal – external usually is much better but internal looks better and is improving constantly. For example, Sitecom WL-341 has no external aerials whereas the DLink DIR-655 offers 4.

Since you won’t – probably – be exhibiting the router on your mantelpiece pick the router using the best overall performance rather than on looks. Exactly what use a photo frame if you can’t get dependable access? For those who have a small residence with plasterboard walls then an internal antenna may well be sufficient — key is to ensure of your vendors return plan if difficulty develops – sites for example Amazon and JohnLewis.com excel in this score. Is it really worth saving a little if they won’t give a refund or trade?

Whilst external aerials mounted on the wall may be used they will be costly compared to your own router – a better option may be to check out wireless products making use of your home electric system (or powerline social networking) e.grams. Netgear WGXB102 (many other similar brands accessible) – simply hook a cable out of your router in to this and plug it into the wall – connect another device into your desired area and — voila – you have wireless access.

Features

Look at any wireless router review and you will see additional features touted as if they will cause you to better looking as well as re-grow hair — if only you just spend which extra Thirty ()! You tell yourself that feature By or golf widget Y will truly make things easier – but how frequently is that truly the case?

When I mentioned earlier you will see many features listed – the key is knowing when you should spend so when to say “that gizmo looks really cool but I will use it once”.

To find out more about best wireless router head over to Wirelessrouterreviews.co

Improve Your Swing With The Medicus Driver

Improve Your Swing With The Medicus Driver

Article by Jeremy Winters

Statements by Medicus Golf that their unique dual hinge, which happens to be present on the Medicus Driver, will give instant feedback from a bad swing are legitimate. This is the very best swing trainer in the entire world, and here is why. When the player learns to swing this particular driver without breaking it down at the hinges, he knows his swing is on plane and also in cadence. Now the player is well on his way to getting rid of hooks and slices, as well as producing longer, much more accurate shots over and over.

The head of this particular club is heavy, and as a consequence of this your swing likewise can feel heavy. Expecting it to break pretty much guarantees that it will, but then several methodical swings reinforces self confidence and the anticipated mishaps begin to vanish. Following this routine, pick up a standard driver. It feels light, very easy and mysteriously the previous swing errors are usually fewer.

The Medicus Driver is fashioned to break any time swing flaws are discovered; these can arise in six unique parts of the golf swing. To begin with, it could possibly break on the backswing about a foot higher than the ball. The golf club needs to be taken back with arms and shoulders though with absolutely no wrist twist. Once the player learns to take their club back gradually and with a lower plane, his golf game should begin to greatly improve.

The second break will possibly occur while in your backswing when the club head is waist high. If the toe of your golf club is not aiming up, your club will unhinge. Also, when the swing is way too flat or when it really is too much over the top, your club will additionally break down.

Break 3 will occur near the top of the backswing. Break 3 may also be close to the top of that swing. This occurs whenever the golf club face is not square.

Break 4 happens at the start of the down swing. This takes place simply because the player stops his wrist way too quickly causing the club to unhinge. This can additionally take place when the arms aren’t close enough to the body.

The fifth break position is at contact. The reason is that the golfer sways moving his weight backwards. When he is too far behind the ball during impact, the golf club will break.

And finally, the Medicus Driver will become out of balance on the follow through when it doesn’t stay on plane. A flat follow through could be responsible for this.

So, here is an effective training aid that instantly recognizes the flaws in a golfer’s swing. Not only will it break down in a flaw, it helps in fixing the error if it does not unhinge. By simply repeating your swing without having the break, your muscle memory is established and then the ideal swing can be repeated repeatedly.

About the Author

Are you looking for equipment that will help you improve your golf? Be sure to visit my site to learn more about the Medicus Driver and Medicus Dual Hinge.

The New CBO Budget Numbers Are In And The New CBO Budget Numbers Are Not Good

The New CBO Budget Numbers Are In And The New CBO Budget Numbers Are Not Good

From a historical point of view, we are in the midst of three history making upheavals that will have long term impacts throughout the world, certainly interesting times. The first upheaval is the earthquake disaster in Japan and what the recovery time and costs will do to the world economy. Second, the quest for freedom in the Middle East and how this quest is likely to have both good and bad consequences for various parts of the world including the U.S. And finally, the financial integrity disintegration of the United States economy through the mismanagement of the country’s financial health by the political class.

This article concerns the last history making event, the financial destruction of the United States. The Associated Press reported on March 19, 2011 that a new evaluation of the Obama administration’s long term budget by the Congressional Budget office (CBO) revealed that we are much closer to our financial collapse than even the most pessimistic among us could have thought. Before going into the details of the article, let’s review where we know our national financial health is today:

The Federal government national debt is around TRILLION and climbing rapidly.
This debt places an average debt burden on each U.S. household of about 2,000.
The February, 2011 monthly incremental debt was about 5 billion or about ,000 per household. In other words, in February, each American household was responsible for ,000 that the Federal government spent that it did not have the tax revenue to cover.
In the past four years that the Democrats controlled Congress, the national debt rose over TRILLION.

Nasty, nasty stuff. However, now the CBO has released its latest estimates and they are not good:

Obama’s original budget estimate called for an additional .2 TRILLION worth of debt over the next ten years or about ,000 per U.S.household.
However, the CBO estimates that this is a very, very optimistic number based on some faulty assumptions and that the increase in the national debt is likely to be .3 TRILLION higher or .5 TRILLION.
Thus, between the existing TRILLION and the additional .5 TRILLION debt that the Obama budget will incur, every U.S. household will be on the hook for about 4,000 of the national debt within ten years.
This debt will be more than one and half times the size of one year’s gross domestic product. In other words, the country would have to work more than 18 months to pay off the debt and not spend any money on anything else including food, products, services, etc.
The new CBO numbers estimate the Obama Care will also be billion more expensive than previously hyped by the administration, substantially reducing any positive budget effects from the legislation, one of its main selling points originally.
The Obama administration estimates that the deficit will eventually be reduced to about 3% of the GDP number but the CBO disagrees, estimating that the deficit will never get below 4% of the GDP which would still make it unacceptably high.
The difference in estimates between the CBO and the administration is that the CBO does not believe in the “rosy” assumptions in the President’s budget, it does not believe that the government will collect all of the increased tax dollars it assumed, it does not believe that the political class has the will power to reduce Medicare payments (which it has never had int he past), and there is no substantiation for “unspecified bipartisan financing,” all very legitimate disagreements to have with Obama’s budget.
The White House does not dare disagree with the CBO estimates or methodology since it used the CBO estimates to sell in its own health care reform legislation. Thus, if they vilify these CBO budget numbers they nullify the Obama Care numbers.
The situation has gotten so bad that 64 Senators, 32 from each political party, recently signed a bipartisan letter to Obama that called on him to take the lead in developing a strategic and comprehensive budget reduction plan along the lines of Obama’s own deficit reduction commission’s findings, the very commission that Obama commissioned and then almost completely ignored.

We are witnessing historical financial distress and the administration does not even acknowledge how bad the situation is by developing outrageous spending plans that add TRILLIONS to the deficit while ignoring its own commission that would help fix the problem. Both political parties, as witnessed by the Senators’ letters, realize that the problem needs urgent attention. Only the White House and the current resident seem to see no urgency in this area.

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If they do not reverse their attitudes, take the lead, and make some bold and courageous moves, we are likely to end up like the economy of Ireland, whose status was reviewed in the March 11, 2011 issue of The Week Magazine. According to an article by Colin Barr of Fortune that was summarized in that issue of The Week:
Ireland has imposed two years of painful austerity on its citizens for its mismanagement of the economy.
As a result, wages are falling, unemployment has tripled to 13%, and younger Irish citizens are leaving the country in larger and larger numbers.
Investors who are buying Irish government bonds are insisting on a return of at least 8%.

This is what has happened in Greece, has happened in Ireland and other European countries who let their government spending get out of control. Economic hardship, as the interest on the piles of debt get higher and higher and standards of living get lower and lower. It is a fate that we face unless the President somehow does a turnaround and starts leading for once and stops touring other countries, stops playing golf so often, and stops being just a typical Chicago politician.

And it is not as if most of the heavy lifting has not already been done for him. His deficit reduction commission appears to have done a fine job and detailed analysis of how to get spending under control. The Cato Institute has gone through the current Federal government budget line by line and has identified hundreds of billions of dollars that could be pared from the Federal government without undue harm to ordinary Americans. Think tanks, both convervative and liberal, have done the same. All that is needed is a leader, not a politician, to lead the way.

A famous Chinese saying goes as follows: “May you live in interesting times.” On the surface this looks like a positive thought and intent, may you have an interesting journey through life. However, if you do a little research on the saying, it really is meant to be a curse and to be read as follows: “May you experience much upheaval and trouble in your life.” From Japan to the Middle East to the precarious financial situation our politicians have put us into, we are expereincing much upheaval and trouble, neither of which will enhance our individual freedom and liberty in the long run.

For as the government’s financial situation collapses, it will draw down/confiscate more and more wealth from its citizens in a desperate last attempt to prop up the financial system of the country which is buckling under over TRILLION worth of debt. When government gets into the confiscation game to cover its own incompetent bungling, you are no longer living in a free country. Interesting, and troubling, and sad, and as the CBO numbers illustrate, not good.

Walter “Bruno” Korschek is the author of the book, “Love My Country, Loathe My Government. – Fifty First Steps To Restoring Our Freedom and Destroying The American Political Class,” which is available at www.loathemygovernment.com and online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Our daily dialog on freedom in American can be joined at www.loathemygovernment.blogspot.com.

Turning Your Slice Into A Draw Now

Turning Your Slice Into A Draw Now

Article by Jack Moorehouse

If you’ve ever tried to correct a slice, you know how hard it is to do it. You’ve probably taken golf lessons. Read golf tips. And consulted trusted friends with low golf handicaps. You’ve tried everything you can think of but nothing’s worked. You still hit a slice. Frustration sets in after awhile and you back off. But you haven’t given up. You’d still want to correct your slice.

The problem here isn’t the sources you’ve consulted. It’s the messages they carry. All too often these sources tell you why you slice, but not how to correct it. While knowing why you slice is nice, it doesn’t help correct it. Nor does it help you cut strokes from your golf handicap. What you need is golf tips on how to correct a slice. Below are six key golf tips on turning your slice into a draw.

Starts At Address

Turning your slice into a draw starts at address. Golfers fighting a slice tend to lean away from the ball. It’s a natural reaction. But it makes your slice worse. At address, your weight should be balanced in every direction. It also should be evenly distributed over both feet and proportionally on the balls and heels of your feet. This position prepares you to make a good golf swing.

Tilt Away From The Target

Also, tilt your shoulders away from the target at address as well. This lowers your back shoulder, which is key. Golfers struggling with a slice tend to invert their shoulders at address. This causes them to swipe down on the ball with a forward shoulder that’s lower than the rear one. Instead, tilt your shoulders away from the target. It helps you hit the ball straighter, higher and farther.

Check your Alignment

Aiming your shoulders left of the target (right, if you’re a lefty) encourages a swing that cuts across the ball from outside to inside. Aiming your shoulders right of the target forces your upper body to over-rotate or even come too much inside during the swing. A good way to align yourself is to aim the clubface at the target, draw an imaginary line from the target to the clubface, and position your shoulders parallel to the line.

Flatten The Wrists

It’s critical that your left wrist (right for southpaws) remain flat at the top of the backswing, which avoids rotating the clubface too far open. With a flat left wrist, the clubface remains square or closed at the top of the swing. In this position, the back of your gloved hand is flat with your forearm and both hands above the back shoulder at the top. This position prevents the ball from veering off right (or left) at impact. Move Inside Out

To draw the ball, your swing must move inside out. Thus, you must swing below your shoulders. If your hands get above your shoulders or out in front of them, you’ll come over the top and hit either a double-crossed hook or a big slice. Which you hit depends on whether the clubface is closed or open. Also, you can move your head forward on the downswing. But not so far forward that your head gets out in front of the ball. Keep your head behind the ball.

Rotate Your Arms

If you’re a slicer, you probably don’t rotate your hands properly on the downswing. The way to square a clubface at impact is to continually close it through the downswing. If you stop closing the clubface and start sliding, the face will open and you’ll slice more. As you make the backswing, concentrate on rolling your clubface open. Then, as begin your downswing, roll your hands over and straight out in front of you as they cross your sternum.

Extend Your Arms

Extending your arms after impact closes the clubface and prevents a slice-inducing swing at impact. Extending the arms also encourages the rest of the body to continue turning-a necessary ingredient to hitting a draw. After impact, the ungloved hand should be on top of the gloved hand. Remind yourself to extend your arms during your swing.

Turning a slice into a draw isn’t easy. It won’t come in a day. It takes practice and hard work to do it. But if you follow the golf tips explained above, you can turn your slice into a draw. That in turn will increase your distance and accuracy off the tee and help you trim that golf handicap down to size.

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros. He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. Free weekly newsletter available with the latest golf tips, lessons and instructions.