Trail talk: the ‘Nigerian’ post box
Easily identified but not so easily found. The Nigerian is an oddity amongst UK pillar boxes. Three Points of the Compass dives into the history of a post box originally destined for overseas but...
View ArticleMap measure of the month: Sakurai two-sided curvimeter
This Japanese made curvimeter provides greater capability than their simpler one-sided instrument. The 'kilby-meter' demonstrates good design, coupled with immaculate manufacture.
View ArticleTrail talk: a London to Birmingham leg stretch, but things don’t go to plan…
Three Points of the Compass sets out on a winter wander from London to Birmingham along the Grand Union Canal. However this 147 mile training hike soon unravels.
View ArticleGear talk: the Coleman F1 Lite- was this the lightest gas lantern ever made?
For those wanting both a stove and light that will operate off a small gas canister, Coleman once produced what was probably the lightest lantern option. Does the F1 Lite still have a place for the...
View ArticleGear talk: the Alpine BOMB, or Moulder Strip
Three Points of the Compass looks at a hack that might enable an upright gas stove to continue working in cold conditions. The Moulder Strip is only for 'extreme cold use' though and requires great...
View ArticleEngland Coast Path: Isle of Sheppey- day one
Despite the route of the England Coast Path on Kent's Isle of Sheppey not quite being signed off, Three Points of the Compass takes a best guess and knocks off the coastline of the 'isle of sheep' over...
View ArticleEngland Coast Path: Isle of Sheppey- day two
Despite the route of the England Coast Path on Kent's Isle of Sheppey not quite being signed off, Three Points of the Compass continues to knock off the coastline of the 'isle of sheep' on the second...
View ArticleGear talk: Pure Clear- a lightweight water filter that removes viruses
Pure Clear Filters make bond claims, Three Points of the Compass splashed the cash to have a better look at what may be a step-change in filter design, or may not.
View ArticleMap measure of the month: Krasnogorsk Mechanical Works curvimeter
During World War II many a Russian officer would have been issued one of these map measures. Made at Krasnogorskiy Mechanicheskiy Zavod, production of the KMZ curvimeter continued into the Cold War era...
View ArticleGear talk: evening foot care and sleep socks
Three Points of the Compass looks at end of day foot regime on trail. An important part of hygiene and sleep system, and something that keeps a quilt or sleeping bag cleaner, permitting a more...
View ArticleA hiker’s library: Aurum Recreational Path Guides
'Recreational Paths' are a class of trail in the UK that have historically received scant attention from the larger publishers of guidebooks. Three Points of the Compass looks at one series of books...
View ArticleTrail talk: the Grand Union Canal Walk, part two
Three Points of the Compass returns to his walk from London to Birmingham, along what was once the main artery of the country's transport system, but is now a much quieter experience.
View ArticleTrail talk: the Grand Union Canal Walk, part three
Three Points of the Compass continues up the towpath toward Birmingham, following what was once an essential trade route but is now almost exclusively a watery alternative for habitation or recreation.
View ArticleMap measure of the month: Henri Burnat No. 61 TP ‘Special Grand Modèle’
The model 61 measure from Henri Burnat has heft and balance. Not only is it solidly made and accurate, but has also squeezed in a surprising amount of measuring capability.
View ArticleTrail talk: a Lithuanian’s JOGLE
Three Points of the Compass met Modestas Lukauskas while camping at Hawick in 2023. The Lithuanian was just completing the Scotland leg of his John o' Groats to Land's End hike
View ArticleTrail talk: the Grand Union Canal Walk, part four
Three Points of the Compass completes his journey from London to Birmingham on the Grand Union Canal Walk.
View ArticleTrail talk: post boxes on the London LOOP
Do you ever stop to look at street furniture on a walk? Three Points of the Compass explores the peculiarities of post boxes on a loop around London.
View ArticleMap measure of the month: Aristo 1323 Fächermaßstab
The handy Aristo 1323 fan scale can be used for many types of measurement, including maps. Sold for over half a century, it is still produced today in almost unaltered form.
View ArticleTrail talk: the Corfu Trail- Kavos to Liapades
Three Points of the Compass hiked the Corfu Trail in April 2024. Visiting this Mediterranean island in advance of the tourist season meant a quieter trail but an increased chance of rain.
View ArticleTrail talk: the Corfu Trail- Liapades to Agios Spiridonas
Three Points of the Compass hiked the Corfu Trail in April 2024. Typically for so early in the year, weather had been variable, deteriorating from hot and dry, to firstly rain at night, then during the...
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