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Thread: Interesting and Entertaining Things to Do Whilst Remaining at Home

  1. #1
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Interesting and Entertaining Things to Do Whilst Remaining at Home

    Post things that you spot that others might find fun and entertaining!

    Here's a starter for ten from The Cosmic Shambles Network, which is a fabulous resource for people with curious minds.

    https://cosmicshambles.com


    They have just launched their 'Stay at Home Festival'.

    https://cosmicshambles.com/stayathome


    Prof. Alice Roberts content here

    Last edited by Mr Curta; 23rd March 2020 at 09:57.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  2. #2
    Master freeloader's Avatar
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    Sadly not enough bandwidth where I am to view the videos.

    Some interesting reads though and the resulting searches are helping with my, no reading of news sites while away from home and family policy.......7 days and counting.

    Thanks
    Last edited by freeloader; 21st March 2020 at 04:53.

  3. #3
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    For fans of the wonderfully bonkers Taskmaster, Alex Horne is launching HomeTasking today.

    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  4. #4
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    The Wind in the Willows the Musical is available to stream online for free in the UK. The film was recorded live at the London Palladium in 2017.

    https://www.willowsmusical.com

    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  5. #5
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    I am learning Welsh using the Duolingo app. I started a few weeks ago but I’ll have a lot more time now I think. If you haven’t tried it, Duolingo is great. It isn’t a perfect way to learn a language but it’s easy to spend 10 or 15 minutes at a time, and it’s like playing a game so keeps you interested.

    I have a Welsh heritage and remember my Nan and Grandad speaking the odd Welsh word to me as a kid 50 years ago. I’ve even got a Welsh bible somewhere.

    Anyway, bore da, and wish me luck.

    https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/duolin...ns/id570060128

    PS Thanks for starting this thread M., nice idea to keep us talking about something else.

  6. #6
    I am trying to learn how to sharpen knives with a whetstone.

    12quid for a stone kit off Amazon.

    Youtube for some tuition.
    I honestly cannot make the kitchen knives any blunter 

    So a win win

  7. #7
    Master raptor's Avatar
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    Chopping wood
    Need a gransdors bruk backpack size axe. I say need but bot really need like most things i buy

  8. #8
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    We put together a composter over the weekend and put the first load in. Turned into a bit of a home science lesson for the kids as well as being something worthwhile and constructive.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    For fans of the wonderfully bonkers Taskmaster, Alex Horne is launching HomeTasking today.

    Interesting first challenge, let's see if I can come up with anything creative.....

  10. #10
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    These are superb. Real-time journeys through the Apollo missions, consisting entirely of historical material. You can jump to specific milestones, follow the transcript, listen to a commentary, view the original footage and photographs and much more.

    https://apolloinrealtime.org/

    Apollo 11: https://apolloinrealtime.org/11/

    Apollo 13: https://apolloinrealtime.org/13/

    Apollo 17: https://apollo17.org
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  11. #11
    Master Seiko7A38's Avatar
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    Damn you, Matthew - these are really addictive and I'm only 25 minutes into Apollo 11.

    Like you said, though - excellent - superb even. Especially the sound quality. Thanks !

  12. #12
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seiko7A38 View Post
    Damn you, Matthew - these are really addictive and I'm only 25 minutes into Apollo 11.

    Like you said, though - excellent - superb even. Especially the sound quality. Thanks !
    Cheers, they really do drag you in!

    The Apollo 13 one is great to follow in conjunction with Season 2 of the 13 Minutes To The Moon podcast, The Apollo 13 story.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p083wp70

    https://apolloinrealtime.org/13/
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  13. #13
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    As we're in a space mood, we are going to explore the International Space Station:

    https://artsandculture.google.com/st...w&sv_z=1&hl=en
    Last edited by Mr Curta; 24th March 2020 at 08:39.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  14. #14
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Here's Zoo Atlanta's Panda Cam.

    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  15. #15
    Theres some great free courses on a wide range of subjects on FutureLearn - good content from UK universities. A great way to expand knowledge on a hobby or topic of interest.

  16. #16
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    I've cut the grass for the first time this year today - that's enough!
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  17. #17
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    We made an homage to Mondrian's Composition C (No. III) with Red, Yellow and Blue out of Lego as part of a school art project. We think it came out okay.




    Here's the real thing in the Tate Modern with the TakeTime watch. We call it Mondrian's Tribute to the Pepsi Bezel.

    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  18. #18
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    I bought two lemons this morning during my essential shopping trip. One for culinary purposes, the other for playing a few rounds of the working-from-home version of The Travelling Lemon.
    Last edited by Mr Curta; 25th March 2020 at 22:37.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  19. #19
    Grand Master dkpw's Avatar
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    Excellent result and very "stijlish," if I may say so.
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    We made an homage to Mondrian's Composition C (No. III) with Red, Yellow and Blue out of Lego as part of a school art project. We think it came out okay.




    Here's the real thing in the Tate Modern with the TakeTime watch. We call it Mondrian's Tribute to the Pepsi Bezel.

    David
    Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

  20. #20
    Grand Master jwg663's Avatar
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    Go to www.archive.org & amuse yourself watching 1940s/1950s American public health information films.

    If that's not your bag, there's about 5.6 million items of other material to watch. Plenty of space stuff, as well...
    ______

    ​Jim.

  21. #21
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jwg663 View Post
    Go to www.archive.org & amuse yourself watching 1940s/1950s American public health information films.

    If that's not your bag, there's about 5.6 million items of other material to watch. Plenty of space stuff, as well...
    What a great resource.


    Quote Originally Posted by dkpw View Post
    Excellent result and very "stijlish," if I may say so.
    Dank je!
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  22. #22
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    I bought two lemons this morning during my essential shopping trip. One for culinary purposes, the other for playing a few rounds of the working-from-home version of The Travelling Lemon.
    The Lemon is in play.

    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  23. #23
    Master Seiko7A38's Avatar
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    Space Movies vs Reality

    This YouTube video by retired astronaut Chris Hadfield is both amusing and enlightening:


  24. #24
    Grand Master Dave E's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    I am learning Welsh using the Duolingo app. I started a few weeks ago but I’ll have a lot more time now I think. If you haven’t tried it, Duolingo is great. It isn’t a perfect way to learn a language but it’s easy to spend 10 or 15 minutes at a time, and it’s like playing a game so keeps you interested.
    Snap, me too!

    Prynhawn da!
    Dave E

    Skating away on the thin ice of a new day

  25. #25
    If it’s your cup of tea the Royal Opera house are going to stream some previous performances on their YouTube channel, believe the first one is Peter and the wolf from 7pm today.

  26. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    The Lemon is in play.

    Pit.....the best game ever but so few people seem to have heard of it.

    My grand parents had a set which I reckon was from the 1930s, I remember playing it with them and my great aunt
    and uncle who were both deaf and shouted extremely loudly, only problem was the corner was missing from the Bear.

  27. #27
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TBKBABAB View Post
    If it’s your cup of tea the Royal Opera house are going to stream some previous performances on their YouTube channel, believe the first one is Peter and the wolf from 7pm today.
    Excellent. The National Theatre is doing something similar:

    https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/nt-at-home
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  28. #28
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seiko7A38 View Post
    This YouTube video by retired astronaut Chris Hadfield is both amusing and enlightening:

    Great, thanks! Chris Hadfield was on The Cosmic Shambles Network for Astronaut Q&A this week:

    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  29. #29
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TBKBABAB View Post
    Pit.....the best game ever but so few people seem to have heard of it.

    My grand parents had a set which I reckon was from the 1930s, I remember playing it with them and my great aunt
    and uncle who were both deaf and shouted extremely loudly, only problem was the corner was missing from the Bear.
    Happy days!

    We sometimes have a bit of a disagreement about which family game to play and then end up abandoning the idea so we've decided that the best thing to do is to each write down our favourite games on separate bits of paper, mix them all up, and draw one at random most evenings. Once a game has been drawn it doesn’t go back in until we’ve worked our way through the rest.

    I have a suspicion that there are some in there that Laura has invented, which always proves interesting.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  30. #30
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Curta View Post
    Happy days!

    We sometimes have a bit of a disagreement about which family game to play and then end up abandoning the idea so we've decided that the best thing to do is to each write down our favourite games on separate bits of paper, mix them all up, and draw one at random most evenings. Once a game has been drawn it doesn’t go back in until we’ve worked our way through the rest.

    I have a suspicion that there are some in there that Laura has invented, which always proves interesting.
    thanks for the National Theatre link, watched Peter and the Wolf last night, only about 30 minutes and good one for
    the kids as well.

  31. #31
    Grand Master
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    I'm going to get my watches out to clean......BUT!,which do I clean first?,Rolex or Grand Seiko!.

    I think Rolex......they're a much better watch!........or are they.


  32. #32
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    you’ve watched the latest Watchfinder video then 😂

    Quote Originally Posted by P9CLY View Post
    I'm going to get my watches out to clean......BUT!,which do I clean first?,Rolex or Grand Seiko!.

    I think Rolex......they're a much better watch!........or are they.
    Cheers,

    Ben



    ..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers


    " an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "

  33. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by ben4watches View Post
    you’ve watched the latest Watchfinder video then 

    I haven't Ben.....what is the video about?.


  34. #34
    Master KavKav's Avatar
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    I have built myself a trough, a bloody big stout over-engineered timber trough and filled it with 20 large bags of John Innes (mixed) and have planted ‘Charlotte’ seed potatoes. Cost to date Ł310. Estimated amortised production cost of each ultimately recovered spud? I reckon about 12p. Yes, I know how cheap a big bag of Charlotte spuds is in the shop but I don’t care as this whole exercise has been and is very satisfying and very therapeutic and when the zombies, the three horsemen and other roaming undesirables miscellaneous hove into view, providing I can escape/eliminate them I will at least have access to spuds and in that scenario those spuds will be worth more than Rolex watches as you cannot eat a Rolex watch, not without a Rolex AD’s permission anyway!

  35. #35
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    Lynn and I are learning Tai Chi. It passes the time and is a very relaxing way of getting exercise. Lots of courses on the net.
    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  36. #36
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    Quote Originally Posted by MattH View Post
    I am trying to learn how to sharpen knives with a whetstone.

    12quid for a stone kit off Amazon.

    Youtube for some tuition.
    I honestly cannot make the kitchen knives any blunter 

    So a win win
    I'm doing the same with all our knives - It's very Zen.

    An added plus when the wife comes in and asks me to do stuff I say "can't you see I'm sharpening this knife" and smirk - then she leaves me alone...very Zen.

  37. #37
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    I am installing a gate automation kit I bought a few months ago that I have been putting off.

    Also practising my Rubick’s cube technique and trying to remember what I taught myself 41 years ago.

  38. #38
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave E View Post
    Snap, me too!

    Prynhawn da!
    Do you find some of the phrases a bit random?

    ‘Ffermwr di-waith dych chi?’ seems an odd thing for a beginner to learn? I’m pretty sure I might get a smack in the teeth if I asked that in one if the village pubs in the Valleys.

  39. #39
    Master vRSG60's Avatar
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    That’s not the Alice Roberts video I’d like to see


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  40. #40
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    I'm a massive fan of the excellent cardboard modelling kits of scientific instruments and other devices from the German company, AstroMedia. They are affordable, very high quality, and really work properly. They can be constructed using little more than a craft knife, needle files (or light sandpaper) and adhesive.

    I have already built the Universal Sundial Ring and the Stardial with Astrolabe and have now embarked on the rather more ambitious Desktop Planetarium. Following that, for a change from astronomical instruments I plan to construct the the Nitinol Engine.


    Universal Sundial Ring




    Stardial




    Astrolabe




    Desktop Planetarium now under construction




    Nitinol Engine - eventually!

    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  41. #41
    Master subseastu's Avatar
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    They look really good. I've been doing some metal earth models and currently doing a terminator rev-9. Here are a few others I've completed

    Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

  42. #42
    Grand Master Raffe's Avatar
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    Simple pleasures.

    Someone who lies about the little things will lie about the big things too.

  43. #43
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    Depending on how big your dining table is try this;

    https://youtu.be/0yxK24PJcsE


    Disclaimer, tables can bite.

  44. #44
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Raffe View Post
    Simple pleasures.
    Complete with handy social distancing pole


    Quote Originally Posted by g40steve View Post
    Depending on how big your dining table is try this;

    https://youtu.be/0yxK24PJcsE
    Disclaimer, tables can bite.
    If I attempted to do that I would very likely become an unwelcome draw on NHS resources.
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  45. #45
    Grand Master Andyg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MattH View Post
    I am trying to learn how to sharpen knives with a whetstone.

    12quid for a stone kit off Amazon.

    Youtube for some tuition.
    I honestly cannot make the kitchen knives any blunter 

    So a win win
    I bought myself a Lanksy knife sharpening system and after watch a few YouTube vids and spending a few hours I now have a set of knifes capable of peeling an eyeball. The problem now is my wife is refusing to use them because “they are to sharp” - FFS!

    Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
    Friedrich Nietzsche


  46. #46
    Some nice models below, I’m halfway through building a Tamiya Williams FW07, started it a while ago but had got put
    on the back burner.

  47. #47
    Grand Master Dave E's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    Do you find some of the phrases a bit random?

    ‘Ffermwr di-waith dych chi?’ seems an odd thing for a beginner to learn? I’m pretty sure I might get a smack in the teeth if I asked that in one if the village pubs in the Valleys.
    I know what you mean. Mind you, I think that's just a language learning thing. The only phrase I can really remember from learning German at school (4 years of it, although that is nearly 35 years ago now...) is how to ask the way to the town hall. I've no idea why we needed to learn that!
    Dave E

    Skating away on the thin ice of a new day

  48. #48
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave E View Post
    I know what you mean. Mind you, I think that's just a language learning thing. The only phrase I can really remember from learning German at school (4 years of it, although that is nearly 35 years ago now...) is how to ask the way to the town hall. I've no idea why we needed to learn that!
    I think that was just included as town hall in German sounds funny if your British, it obviously stuck in your mind,
    and just replace town hall with wherever you do want to go.

  49. #49
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
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    I'm learning Portuguese - a diabolical language - ever so slightly different to Spanish, so as to lead to total confusion if you are English.

    Cleaning my bee equipment and ordered in 40 new frames to make for this seasons honey crop. That should keep me busy for a little bit.

    Martyn

  50. #50
    Quote Originally Posted by Andyg View Post
    I bought myself a Lanksy knife sharpening system and after watch a few YouTube vids and spending a few hours I now have a set of knifes capable of peeling an eyeball. The problem now is my wife is refusing to use them because “they are to sharp” - FFS!
    So far not so great... I suspect my technique needs a lot of work.. and I need a lower grit to work on the kitchen knifes.

    This channel on the tube seems to have good clear advice

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOl...6CrS0kcybhaThg

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