The pleasure of fine things

[Kevin Peacocke]

Curious my friend…is this club in Jberg something filled with nostalgia? Meaning on my next trip should I make time for it?

Yes it is Craig, worth a visit for a dinner with friends. You can also stay there, but it is out of the way for business convenience.

 

[Betterinthebush]

IMO the finest 120HP tractor for the money powered by the most reliable diesel engine ever made, the 6.0L Perkins.

 

[Altitude sickness]

^^^^^I’ve had two with that exact motor.

 

[coreydb]

Kevin, I love my daughters to death, but would you maybe trade yours for one of mine for just one Christmas?.....maybe a birthday? Your daughter is one in a trillion! God bless her!!!

 

[Datchew]

I can be a right ass sometimes OH, please forgive me.

Yes, but who isn't?
You're supremely light hearted and a source of great humor.

One of the threads where people were in a tangle about people putting (gasp!) suppressors on their DG rifles almost got into my signature line. You said something like "the report of a double rifle is too beautiful to suppress."

I'm still chuckling about that one.

 

[Rimbaud]

Fun thread. As Churchill once remarked, I have simple taste. I like the best of everything. I have always loved books. I grew up without many frills as my Dad lost his business when I was young, and my first job was as a dishwasher at 13. What little money I did have was often spent on books. I bought paperbacks and frequented second-hand bookshops. As I got older, and my financial circumstances improved, I've enjoyed buying hardbacks of the books that meant a lot to me. I am also acutely aware of the lessons of buying items that were not well made, but that seemed similar to goods that were well made. The cheap items fell apart, and ultimately I paid more for something than merited, which was a painful lesson at the time because it impacted the quality of my life. Rifles, shotguns, fountain pens, good watches, fine leather, antiques, art, old bourbons and wine, travel, hunting, cars, taking care of my family, and an iron-discipline for saving and investing and learning are all amongst the finest things.

 

[odonata]

Since other people have posted pictures of saddles & tractors, I think it's clear that the definition of "fine things" is a personal one as it should be. Generally, I try to avoid acquiring more stuff than I can use and take care of but whenever I do buy something, I am fond of quality & craftsmanship. Like most other people, I have a penchant for certain items that I don't expect everyone else to share.

Classic Film Cameras: I love shooting my Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, ToyoView, Fuji Rangefinder, Ikonta folding & Mamiya medium format cameras whenever I can. I would never try to convince anyone else that this is a good idea because digital is so much more convenient. But it makes me happy to take photos the slow laborious way sometimes.

My ToyoView 45A II 4x5" view camera

My daughter Olivia in Sequoia NP shot on Ilford FP4

Stereo Equipment: I don't have cable TV & I don't stream anything. All I do is listen to music. As I sit & write computer code all day, it's always playing in the background. For no particular reason other than a desire to do so, I cobbled together my system so that each individual piece did one thing really well. I talked on the phone & exchanged emails with each craftsman who built the main components. I would never advise anyone else to do this because you can save a LOT of money by just buying stuff off the shelf. For me, it was a project that was a lot of fun.

Tube amps with mid-century modern furniture is a good combo!

Building the rack to put the stereo on out of oak & cherry

Sailboats: Whether I'm building a small wooden one out of local sassafras, black locust & cypress or sailing on the one I bought for my upcoming retirement, I always enjoy being out on the water. Owning a sailboat isn't a necessity so it falls into the "fine things" category because it is a reward I give myself.

A Walkabout designed by John Welsford that I'm currently building.

My daughter has been living on my Island Packet until I retire.

Bicycles & Motorcycles: If it has two wheels, I'll love riding it. Whether it's my carbon-fiber belt-drive commuter bike I ride to the office or my BMW R1200 GS I go touring on, I can never have too many bikes. I just got back from mountain biking in Utah on my Specialized Stumpjumper & I have the legs scars to prove it.

Doing a loop around Yellowstone NP

 

[Altitude sickness]

I can hear the warm sound of those tube amps.

 

[JoeSoap]

Sad to not be invited to this party. Actually, I do have a few things of value. This fountain pen may not be a Montblanc but it is easy on the eyes and probably writes just as nicely. A wheelchair bound man was selling homemade pens in the hospital lobby November 17, 2009. My son had his first seizure during the night and we didn't think he'd make it. Buying this pen seemed a nice distraction for a worthy cause. Sadly, Wesley died during the night a month later. That pen goes with me everywhere since then. Somehow I have not managed to lose it ... yet. This one was made from maple burl. It's even survived a couple trips through the laundry machine. All I can find on the shelf here is Parkers ink. Not the greatest. Any recommendations?
View attachment 724086
My priceless black Lab is in the background sleeping on the pullout in my possibly collectable 1988 19' tandem axel Terry camper trailer. The previous owner apparently had a cat that liked to attack the curtain above Ellie. At least the SOB was house trained and didn't piss on anything in the trailer. That would have made it very uncollectable!

I collect fountain pens and have many beautiful ones, but none will ever be as beautiful as the one you hold in your hand.

 

[Safari Dave]

What Danner boots do you recommend?

For Africa, I like these:

Danner Light

Rich, full-grain leather and durable Denier nylon give the Danner Light an updated look, while keeping its classic silhouette.

www.danner.com

Danner Light II 6" Brown

Nubuck leather and 1000 Denier nylon — stitched into Vibram® soles like the roots of a sequoia are stitched in the soil. The Danner Light II is a hiker's best buddy and a bootmaker's masterpiece. Women's sizes available.

www.danner.com

Just throw away the plastic 1/2 insoles as soon as you get them, and by green Superfeet insoles.



I guess my taste for "the finer things" must end at boots.

It seems like most hunters like Courtney boots, but they just don't work for me.



I've recently picked up a pair of these:

Safari

Conquer the wild with Safari boots. Designed for comfort, support, and durability, perfect for harsh environments and long-lasting outdoor adventures.

kenetrek.com

Some may consider the soles on the Danner and Kenetrek too stiff, but I've never had a problem with stiffer soles.

 

[Datchew]

For Africa, I like these:

Danner Light

Rich, full-grain leather and durable Denier nylon give the Danner Light an updated look, while keeping its classic silhouette.

www.danner.com

Danner Light II 6" Brown

Nubuck leather and 1000 Denier nylon — stitched into Vibram® soles like the roots of a sequoia are stitched in the soil. The Danner Light II is a hiker's best buddy and a bootmaker's masterpiece. Women's sizes available.

www.danner.com

Just throw away the plastic 1/2 insoles as soon as you get them, and by green Superfeet insoles.



I guess my taste for "the finer things" must end at boots.

It seems like most hunters like Courtney boots, but they just don't work for me.



I've recently picked up a pair of these:

Safari

Conquer the wild with Safari boots. Designed for comfort, support, and durability, perfect for harsh environments and long-lasting outdoor adventures.

kenetrek.com

Some may consider the soles on the Danner and Kenetrek too stiff, but I've never had a problem with stiffer soles.

To the immense displeasure of my 16 yo daughter I spent no less than 2 hours (with her) and just over $2k in the danner store in Portland buying several boots.

Alas, took them all back. They're built for narrow feet.

But they're really my jam in terms of looks. I just don't have danner feet.

Love my kenetreks though

 

[Safari Dave]

IMO the finest 120HP tractor for the money powered by the most reliable diesel engine ever made, the 6.0L Perkins. View attachment 724839

I think MF has now passed JD as the best tractor.





I bought this little wimp recently, and really like it so far:

 

[Safari Dave]

I must have universal feet.

I can wear almost anything in a 10.5D.

 

[Adam S]

I will submit Red Wing Heritage boots and Chris Reeve knives.

 

[Safari Dave]

I did buy myself a Chris Reeve's Sebenza 31 for my 50th birthday present!

 

[Betterinthebush]

@Safari Dave when dad sold at auction his equipment and cattle and I reloaded with new horsepower, even my JD father had to admit that Massey/Agco is surpassing JD in power/reliability/parts availability and service.

I just bought a new 2605 to replace a 285 w the 5.2 Perkins. Traded 90HP for 60 HP w/4WD. Massey has the heaviest best in class tractors <180HP. So, yes, I concur.

 

[Safari Dave]

@Safari Dave when dad sold at auction his equipment and cattle and I reloaded with new horsepower, even my JD father had to admit that Massey/Agco is surpassing JD in power/reliability/parts availability and service.

I just bought a new 2605 to replace a 285 w the 5.2 Perkins. Traded 90HP for 60 HP w/4WD. Massey has the heaviest best in class tractors <180HP. So, yes, I concur.

That makes me feel great about my decision.

I can drive that tractor on the road, to my local MF dealer.


Anything else requires a trailer and a solid truck.

I have a Dodge Ram 3500, but I don't have a good trailer.


I like the fact that several tractor companies have standardized on the "skid-steer" loader buckets.


JD wants to do something different.

My father was the parts department manager at a JD dealership for over 20 years, but I have no "loyalty," as if they would for us.


If I can drive a tractor on the road for 8 miles, instead of hauling it, and the company is solid, then that's what I'll contend with.

(that dealership has been in business for nearly 50 years!)

 

[odonata]

I will submit Red Wing Heritage boots...

Red Wing Heritage Classic Moc boots are even better when you're sitting in a sailboat with the wood stove burning while drinking Glenlivet on a cold winter day...

Looking at this photo made me realize how much I like my Ibex merino wool 1/4 zip too.

 

[Flbt]

so speaking of driving a tractor on the road, I

That’s why I have Massey to drive 8 miles to town.

Dad had a few fords and new holand.
But when I came along he had went to Massey 135 and 249 then the last one 2615

 

[Safari Dave]

I've been a Coast Guard Licensed Captain since 1998, but I don't know how to sail.

I think that will be a resolution for 2026.