Metamatic Forums Socialising The Green Room Hobbies and pastimes

I've had a rare day off today, deliberately taking myself away from music, work, church and children.

It's been such a gorgeous couple of days and the light has been great, so I have re-kindled my passion for birding. I used to twitch a lot and really get madly involved with all things feathery, but nowadays I much prefer pottering along the riverbank and seashore with just a notebook and the bins when I want to 'get away from it all'.

Saw a Red-Throated Diver today, and watched a Kingfisher for ages down to about 10metres.

Set to wondering what other little hobbies and pastimes other forum members like to indulge themselves in (and are prepared to confess...)

Making music has become my 'favourite' hobby over the last couple of years. If I'm not listening to it, then I'm making it!

But sometimes I do need to get away from music, so I'll return to my first love: art.

Always an artist at heart, illustration was always my thing, but in recent years, I've moved into digital art and image manipulation. Last month I bought a graphics tablet and I'm in the process of my 'first' digital painting. It's an experimental piece while I get used to the tablet, but it's nice to do. Though I seriously need to get back to pencil and paper!!

The problem with those 2 hobbies, and photography, which I also like - is that it all ends up on the computer screen. And I do need to get away from that from time to time.

In recent years I have discovered the chef within me. I love eating food, going to restaurants etc, discovering the food of other countries etc. I suppose it's a bit like art, but using food instead - you're still creating something at the end of it!! Anyway I love cooking and baking cakes or scones (and eating them afterwards).... in my Dalek apron - as Peter will experience this weekend!

I also have a love of cats, but I don't know if you can call it a hobby!

And on Thursday evenings, I do a 3-hour class of French. I'm currently preparing my brain for a French grilling.

Music and photography.

Funnily enough, like Alex I'm supposed to learn French, but I just can't find the time or concentration to do it any justice.

As I'm married to a French lady, it's only right that I learn the language - which I enjoy, but I do find it hard as languages aren't naturally my thing.

Sometimes I have problems sqeezing things in. Other than music, I enjoy collecting stamps. I also have a fair collection of model trains which I haven't added to in years. One day I intend to build myself a model railway. I still find railways give me a sense of pleasure, no I don't have an anorak and haven't spotted trains for over 35 years.

I enjoy my voluntary work with Oxfam as I don't have a real job.

When it's cold and dark I like to do jigsaw puzzles.

In the summer for me there's nothing like getting out on my pushbike and riding around the country side here. I live near a canal and the towpath is ideal for riding away from the traffic.

I love my dog and we'll walk miles around the local area.

I also like to see and speak to friends.

I've done two levels of a bookkeeping course at college as I'm very good with figures but I need to go back next year and study for the diploma.

Good subject Martin.

Peter

I've got quite a few.Love cycling around the local water park & canal.Love taking pictures.

Recently I've started making my own music again after many,many years away from it.

Then theres the real-ale,I'm beer mad,has to be the proper stuff,not the chemicalised crap.
Was so glad to find they had Wychwood halloween ale at the Limelight,Crewe last week

Not that I'm an alcy,honest!,just like tasting & trying out different beers.

Also heavily into digital video & making my own DVDs.

Also very interested in home cinema,had my own DLP projector & motorised screen since 2000 but thats really the tip of the iceberg in terms of what I've got.

Used to be quite into flying gliders but I've not been up for a few years.

Like going to the movies once a week.

Like nothing better than wondering around old historic buildings with my girlfriend.

Also spent quite a lot of time at the West Bromwich Albion ground on Saturdays over the last few years.Saturday afternoons I have to either be up there or listening to the commentary on the radio.I'm one of many thousands of long suffering baggies fans.

I forgot to add I also have a thing for abbeys/ruins.

And that I'm a lifelong fan of Doctor Who and collect Daleks.

Have to confess that up to last year and for the previous 10 years I had re-kindled my old hobby of (wait for it...) stamp collecting. I just really like British stamps and have spent considerable amounts of money on all first day covers 1996 - 2006, plus other extras along the way. Only face value mind cos I'm not really a collector of rarities or anything (unlike music CDs LOL). Anyway finally gave up this year due to lack of funds and space (rather like music CDs) and,ultimately, time. They keep saying postage stamps are on the way out etc. cos of those horrible adhesive things where they just print out the amount paid, which I think is a shame.
Most collectors have a 'theme' and mine was in fact 'architecture' (without the morality).

..thankyou for letting me share that with you.

You're not the only one D! I completely forgot to mention my stamp collection. I infrequently collect Space stamps. It was something I started when I was 10, completely forgot about and found my collection in my parents attic a few years ago when helping them clear stuff out.

I've now re-housed them in proper Stanley Gibbons stamp books and now add to them whenever I come across packets of stamps in marketstalls etc. If anyone else is collecting Space stamps - please let me know! They're not rare and I've loads of duplicates if anyone wants them!

Good on yer mate! .. I'll have a look if I got anything spacey.