Past times

[Astrobserver99 (Rob)]

Seems all of my favorite past times are not doable at present. So, I am thinking of some new ones to try at this time of year...

bush driving...4wd driving
indoor sports
shopping/cafes... a bit old hat
restaurants...ditto
day tripping/driving...ditto
writing...ditto
reading...ditto
museums...ditto
bush walking...ditto
movies...sounds promising, especially with imax
web surfing...i think i've had enough
indoor swimming/spas
photography...need some new subjects

Feel free to add some of your own!

You guys in sunny climates are sooo lucky!!

[renormalised (Carl)]

Model trains
Genealogy
Uni courses (do a certificate/diploma/degree course in astronomy, photography etc)

Think we're lucky in sunny places....up here you might as well say 6-8 months of the year is useless for astronomy. Too cloudy or humid and sometimes too dangerous!!!!!! (cyclones).

[that_guy (Tony)]

chess... yerp.. its either chess or astronomy...

[Suzy]

Electronics You can get kits from Jaycar to make all sorts of things, like little transistor radios, etc.

Model planes Make them on cloudy days and you have something to go play with on sunny days and back to fixing them when they smash up on cloudy days. Yes, they will smash up every time you take them out

Learn some history behind war planes Learn interesting things such as tactical warfare, and amazing missions flown - James Jabara's history is a great account as an example, not forgetting his famous run in between his Sabre and the Mig 15's in the Korean war. I couldn't find a you tube link for a doco on James Jabara's life, but maybe you'll have better luck finding it (the re-enactment of the Korean war fight is a particularly good watch). This guy went on to become American's first ace. And you wouldn't believe what happened to him in the end
Oh, and also don't forget about the incredible SR-71 (Blackbird). http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rd+part+1&aq=f This doco goes across six parts (look down the page a bit until you come down to the listing for the breakdown of these parts). You'll need about an hour to watch it though, but it's a great watch. Also the history behind "that" B-29 piloted by Paul Tibbets. Great doco account of the lead up to this mission. Oh! I just found it on you tube www.youtube.com/results?search_query=enola+gay+hist ory+channel&aq=f

If you get interested in this stuff, there should be plenty of war plane docos on dvd to watch and books for that matter.
To me, dobs and planes share a common thing, they're both shiny, long, sexy and aim for for skies

Scrapbooking You may be the only guy in the group, but you can learn lots of "secret girls business" . And, you'll have the cutest looking astro obs book around . Right, maybe that's not such a great idea then But, seriously, you can do some great photo albums!

Learn to ice skate

Learn ten pin bowling

Learn and join a bridge club

Make some great slide shows on disc with your digital photos.

Fish Keeping (aquariums) A whole lot of work there which will keep you busy indoors. Learn to landscape tanks and breed fish.

I'd be interested to know if you end up having a go at any of the suggestions we have come up with.
Have fun!

Kind regards,
Suzy.

[Alchemy (Clive)]

You listed outdoor active stuff at the top of the list, so here's a couple,
Indoor rock climbing, hard rock in nunawading is good
Paintball, all weather fun, couple out east
Surf fishing, kilkunda cemetery beach..... Pick your days
Canoeing, goulburn mix it up with trout fishing
Cross country skiing.... Lake mountain if rain hasn't washed it away

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I'm going to pass over the obvious indoor activity.

My previous hobby was Gourd crafting.
I'll get out my wood burner and dreml during spells of wet weather and switch my head to creative mode.
I do fret work using the little circular saw bit.
Weaving using pine needles or other stuff I've gathered.
Burn designs into the surface, free hand or transfer.
Inlay bead work.
They really are a great blank canvas. You're only limited by your imagination.

[venus (Lydia)]

Have you heard of the U3A its for over 50's and its great, never be lost for things to do...
http://www.u3amelbcity.org.au/

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Take up a musical instrument. It's good for both mind and body. I was in the local music shop one day and there was an elderly couple looking at guitars. They explained that this was their retirement plan to ward off arthritis and senility.

Once you can even vaguely hold a tune get together with others and have fun. I played bass in my teens, very poorly. I then didn't touch one for >25 years but a few years ago dusted off the old Rickenbacker copy. Shortly afterwards a friend told me about a regular bluegrass jam he played at. I didn't even listen to bluegrass but I bought a second-hand acoustic bass guitar and went along. A couple of years later I'm still enjoying it and am playing somewhat better.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Just thought of another two....model rockets and helicopters
Get your "ham" license
Plastic models (1:72 and 1:48 scale are the best)
radio astronomy (doesn't matter of it's cloudy)

[acropolite (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Rob

You guys in sunny climates are sooo lucky!!

Some of the best times I have ever had have been in good old Tassie in the middle of winter.

Wavesailing in big winter storms (dry suit a necessity), snow skiing on Ben Lomond and scuba diving. The water (at least down here) is clearest in the winter and a 7mm wetsuit keeps the cold at bay at least for an hour or so.

Unfortunately I can't do any of those things anymore, my back's not up to it.

I've just ordered a cheapy Electric RC helicopter.

I rarely go more than a couple of months without doing some woodwork,

I still dabble in Photography and Astronomy.

I love to go fishing and have a lovely partner who enjoys the same.

Life's good!!