What would you like for Christmas?

[otherclive]

It’s that time of year when I keep being asked “ what would you like for Christmas?” Generally I’m totally blank. But this year I did think about going electric and asking for a cordless strimmer, which I thought could possibly tempt my wife to use it for lawn edging. But after 58 years she saw through that one. So I then thought I can still manage lawn edging even though it takes three times as long to get back up as getting down. So I scratched the idea of the cordless strimmer.

Instead I have opted to turn back the clock on technology. In 1985 as I was packing to return from a year in Canada I found that the RAF’s shipping agents would not accept skis because of their length. Since I only had two pairs ( cross country and downhill) and didn’t expect to use them much where we lived in Dartmoor I swopped them for a friends Webber kettle bbq, which did sterling service. Eventually the Weber had to be replaced and I bought a stainless steel Dancook, which whilst good wasn’t a patch on the Webber for flexibility of cooking. So tomorrow I’m off to fetch a new Weber from a local store that offered an internet beating price with accessories. Have to hide it until Christmas Day then express total surprise and pleasure to my wife for her thoughtful gift.

What would Forumites like for Christmas?

 

[borderbilly]

At the moment im decorating, 2 rooms done, 3 to go, wallpaper stripped off, prep walls, lining paper applied then emulsion painted.
What i would like for xmas is to have them all done! Fat chance of that!

 

[Mr Plodd]

The winning numbers for the new years Euromillions draw would be nice. I could spread so much happiness to others less fortunate than myself (and book a round the world cruise!)

No harm in dreaming eh?

Other than that there's not much I need/want, other than many more years of good health for both my wife of 48 years and myself

 

[otherclive]

At the moment im decorating, 2 rooms done, 3 to go, wallpaper stripped off, prep walls, lining paper applied then emulsion painted.
What i would like for xmas is to have them all done! Fat chance of that!

Mind your wife doesn’t do what mine did recently. I had bought the wallpaper early this year, but motivation was somewhat lacking. So my wife engaged a decorator to come in and do the main bedroom over a weekend with only a couple of weeks notice. I had to do all of the pre prep, filling sanding etc. But the decorator who we use for our daughter’s house is Dulux approved Select Decorator and has his own business. Did a great job. So she has now booked him in the spring for hall, stairs and landing. Looks like I am now redundant as far as decorating is concerned. It’s taken nearly 60 years, but better late than never.

 

[borderbilly]

Mind your wife doesn’t do what mine did recently. I had bought the wallpaper early this year, but motivation was somewhat lacking. So my wife engaged a decorator to come in and do the main bedroom over a weekend with only a couple of weeks notice. I had to do all of the pre prep, filling sanding etc. But the decorator who we use for our daughter’s house is Dulux approved Select Decorator and has his own business. Did a great job. So she has now booked him in the spring for hall, stairs and landing. Looks like I am now redundant as far as decorating is concerned. It’s taken nearly 60 years, but better late than never.

Lucky you, wish i was redundant.

 

[Buckman]

Health, wealth and happiness!

 

[JTQ]

So tomorrow I’m off to fetch a new Weber from a local store that offered an internet beating price with accessories.

Quite retro, from my observations these days on the camping sites we have mostly opted away from charcoal to gas, not in some respects for the better. I have done the same, just seems less hassle and the typical socialising we enjoyed over collective BBQing again sadly slipped from popularity.

During one of my stints in the Sates we acquired two of the brilliant folding stainless steel sheet Pyromids, ours both 12 and 15". These saw sterling service rallying for probably 25 to 30 years before I joined the Cadac clan, but only for ease. Not that the Cadac is a real BBQ, more a hot plate griddle, though possibly healthier.

Now enthused by your post I will dig the 15" out together with I know the bag of Aussie "Heatbeads" I have got with a view to relive doing a duck for our Christmas lunch; ought to practice at least once before that. Thanks
Enjoy returning to the Weber.

 

[Buckman]

Now enthused by your post I will dig the 15" out together with I know the bag of Aussie "Heatbeads" I have got with a view to relive doing a duck for our Christmas lunch; ought to practice at least once before that. Thanks
Enjoy returning to the Weber.

We have two Weber. The smaller one for the caravan and the 51" at home. Those Aussie "heatbeads" are excellent. When we have finished BBQ'ing on the Weber, we close it up which kills the heat beads. We then use them again with some fresh ones for the next BBQ. A packet can last a very long time.

 

[JTQ]

The Heatbeads brilliant as you say are compacted anthracite dust, dread to think what our oncologists would now say about it in this more enlighten era. Can't undo those decades of indulgence, good times.

 

[otherclive]

Quite retro, from my observations these days on the camping sites we have mostly opted away from charcoal to gas, not in some respects for the better. I have done the same, just seems less hassle and the typical socialising we enjoyed over collective BBQing again sadly slipped from popularity.

During one of my stints in the Sates we acquired two of the brilliant folding stainless steel sheet Pyromids, ours both 12 and 15". These saw sterling service rallying for probably 25 to 30 years before I joined the Cadac clan, but only for ease. Not that the Cadac is a real BBQ, more a hot plate griddle, though possibly healthier.

Now enthused by your post I will dig the 15" out together with I know the bag of Aussie "Heatbeads" I have got with a view to relive doing a duck for our Christmas lunch; ought to practice at least once before that. Thanks
Enjoy returning to the Weber.

I’d clear forgot about the Pyromids, never had one but I know in Canada they were popular. When I was looking at BBQs yesterday the sales lady directed us towards a Traeger display. It took us into a different world. One machine used wood pellets fed from its hopper via an “archimedes” screw. It was app controlled and she explained that I could set its timer to start anytime to ensure the meat is cooked for a set time. Like something from the chocolate factory.

For the two of us we tend to use a cadac carrichef, or on “slow days” we use the weber Smokey Joe. Both portable too, so we can take them out with us.

Good luck with the duck.

 

[otherclive]

We have two Weber. The smaller one for the caravan and the 51" at home. Those Aussie "heatbeads" are excellent. When we have finished BBQ'ing on the Weber, we close it up which kills the heat beads. We then use them again with some fresh ones for the next BBQ. A packet can last a very long time.


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With that lot it’s the cardiologist that might be concerned rather than the oncologist 🙈

 

[borderbilly]

Fred drift.

 

[JTQ]

The more modern Pyromid LINK, our 15" has in addition the high top allowing a duck to be cooked vertical on a dolly thing with a collecting dish base. We also have the "smoker oven" a box replacing the top, never used that piece, in hindsight probably a good situation.
I recall the advert for ours at the time was sat cooking on the top of a grand piano, I was never in a position to try that!

 

[borderbilly]

Fred drift.

 

[otherclive]

The more modern Pyromid LINK, our 15" has in addition the high top allowing a duck to be cooked vertical on a dolly thing with a collecting dish base. We also have the "smoker oven" a box replacing the top, never used that piece, in hindsight probably a good situation.
I recall the advert for ours at the time was sat cooking on the top of a grand piano, I was never in a position to try that!

I wonder if the influencer had time to eat the food before succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning?

They are a clever piece of kit

 

[Beachball]

Just had a refit of the bathroom it now easier access a big walk in shower room with a rain shower system , and a seat but the ceiling needs painting and we need a new vinyl flooring and then it will be finish , ready to be use .