I Need a Hobby ~ Have an Interest in Life
Do I need a hobby ? Yes You Do !
People with hobbies or interests are, without doubt, more interesting, invariably nicer and pleasant to talk to
I’ve always been somebone who has had interests and hobbies, since being a child I’ve known no different so I suppose I do find it difficult to understand those people whose interests lie no further than what’s on TV or the like.
Interests come and go over time I find, some get dropped and picked up years later others simply move down in priority as something new asserts itself.
These thoughts came to my mind today (New Year’s Day) as I went out walking, firstly revisiting Tetney Blow Wells before moving onto Tetney Lock in a search for Buzzards
Tetney Church in Winter
It was whilst taking the shot above of Tetney Church with its tower just peeking out of the fore line of trees that somebody spoke to me. She was a keen rambler and genuinely friendly, very nice to talk to - it was then I twigged that everybody who does something of interest tends to be friendly and pleasant - it can’t be a coincidence.
The thought sat there simmering as I moved onto the Blow Wells themselves. It was an extraordinary day, very cold but with incredible light - everything looked amazing.
A Frozen Lake at Tetney Blow Wells
Just changing direction slightly brought a whole new colour and tone as everything bathed in the most glorious winter sunshine.
Look the picture above and the one below - the colours and sky were just as you see them - both taken in roughly the same area but look at the difference in sky when changing direction. The lake was frozen over but also covered in a light dusting of snow from last night - the whole scene framed by the perfectly straight line of trees to the left.
A Fieldfare in Winter at Tetney Lock in Lincolnshire
It was after moving to Tetney Lock that my theory of just how much nicer people are when they have something of interest in their lives really gathered pace.
There were quite a few people about, everybody saying good afternoon, people asking if I’d taken any interesting pictures and the like.
I ended up talking to one chap who was a keen bird watcher, he certainly didn’t look the type, if indeed there is a type, but we spoke for a good 15 minutes.
It wasn’t that we had a shared interest it was just that we both had an interest - I really do believe it makes you more rounded.
There are those out there of course who think that anybody who can talk about anything that’s not on TV or in a celebrity magazine is boring.
It’s truly amazing how people who know little or nothing of use or interest can manage to look down upon somebody who has something about them !
I think it’s something even more prevalent amongst younger people - if you’re one of them then don’t let them get to you - pursue your interests whatever they may be and remember reading a book instead of watching Big Brother doesn’t make you a bore !
Another fantastic day in the memory bank, I’m sure I must have missed loads on TV but I’ll have to console myself with having had lots of fresh air, met some nice and interesting people, learnt things, thoroughly enjoyed myself and got some exercise - what a bore I am 
All the best
Rod
the dinosaur said,
January 2, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
Rod, a little tip for anyone who thinks they have fieldfares in their neighbourhood and would like to attract them into their garden, I discovered years ago by chance that they’re very keen on apples. When I lived high up at the top of the Lincolnshire Wolds fieldfares were regular visitors when there was snow on the ground, not normally garden birds, we happened to have saved a box full of windfall apples (wrapped in newspaper to preserve them) but found they were a bit tough, so I chopped up the apples and chucked them out on the lawn, in no time we had 20+ fieldfares having a feast.
Hope that was interesting?
Amiguru said,
January 2, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Rod,
Hear hear to all that!
As you know I work in a school and help with several youth groups. Without blowing my own trumpet too loudly I must say that I do so many things with the children as I have had a dabble at many things in my life. They get a lot out of what I can offer and I get a lot out of not only passing knowledge and skills on but in seeing the realisation, awe and wonder on their faces.
Currently, we are taking 10/11 year-olds to forest schools for half a day a week. You should see the enthusiasm when they light their first fire with flint and steel or learn to identify fungi. During science sessions I’m enlisted to show them ‘wow factor’ things that really fire their enthusiasm for the subject. So tomorrow’s young adults may well not all be TV couch-potatoes.
Another plus about having many and varied interests is that you can hold a decent conversation with most people on at least one thing that you have in common and talking leads to a levelling and commonality; guards are dropped, smiles ensue.
All’s well with the world…….Aaaaahhhh!
N
le
Rod said,
January 3, 2010 @ 3:20 pm
Dino,
that is of interest, many thanks - I’ve not seen many Fieldfares, certainly not that I’m aware of.
There are quite a few at Tetney Lock and I’m told that’s slightly unusual.
Sorry for the late reply - unable to access the site this morning !
Best
Rod
Rod said,
January 3, 2010 @ 3:25 pm
Neville,
that’s really refreshing to hear and backs something up which I have often said albeit for me it was just a theory.
The so-called ‘kids of today’ not being interested is merely a reflection on the time and effort put into them.
You should see the enthusiasm when they light their first fire with flint and steel
That to me is proof, show no interest in the young and don’t be surprised that they seem to show no interest
Reverse that situation and . . .
Another plus about having many and varied interests is that you can hold a decent conversation
Bingo !!!
I’m sure those pupils will remember you and your efforts Neville - something to be proud of in my opinion
Rod
chris keyworth said,
January 4, 2010 @ 1:12 am
Nev
Flint and steal, Thats cheating I learnt with a bow and drill first and then moved on to the easy method, however i always use a bow and drill when camping these days ive got it down to about 10 mins now not including the collecting of the right materials to do the job, i find a dry cats tail or (bullrush as we know them) is good for the Drill a bow of dry sprung wood with my trusty para cord on it, a nice slither of ash, oak or yew with a notch cut in the side to catch the ember, a god handful of catstail seeds to catch the flame and a small pyramid made of small twigs to catch the flame and your away, teach the kids this and they not only hold the skill of a tradional woodsman but they hold the key to our ancient civilization, He who breeds fire breeds warmth and breeds wealth.
regards
chris
David J. Smith said,
January 4, 2010 @ 10:51 am
Hi Chris. I find Swan Vesta’s are as good as anything!!!
Amiguru said,
January 4, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
Chris,
I learnt with a bow and drill first and then moved on to the easy method, that’s cheating; when I was in the scouts we had to rub our legs together until our socks caught fire!
Seriously, I know all about that technique but my point was that if you show youngsters alternative methods they understand the concept of lateral thinking. That apart, we try to provide each group with a breadth of skills in 6 half days so spending ages achieving one skill would defeat the aim.
Regards,
le
N
chris keyworth said,
January 4, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
Nev
you should teach them the science behind exploding pinecones and flaming pinecones, no seriously Nev i think its great that kidds are learning forestry skills i wish that killingholme school did that instead of country dancing when i was there. i tought the little boy next door to me who was 7 at the time in three hours to make fire with a bow and drill and now he is 10 and can do it almost as fast as me, and whats more at the age of 7 he would not eat anything but crisps hot dog sausages chicken nuggets and chochlate, he spent a week with me his dad and two other youngsters in scotland and i got them eating everything, he eats nettles like sweets now, just before xmas he was out with me and shot his first phesant which he plucked and drew all by himself afterwards.
its a shame that the schools around here dont offer that sort of expeirence as it is valuable in later life, the art of survival.
the nearest place round here that offers it is the forestry school on the brocklesby park eastate..
regards
chris