Great November/december Issue

I have just read the latest edition and tried Charlotte-ann Aucamp’s recipe for crackling pork belly with success. Over the years using various similar recipes resulted in burnt crackling and the final product often resembled chewing gum.

As for the Lee Loader test: In the early 80s I took up shooting and purchased a 1903 Springfield rifle in .30-06 from Nicholas Yale. The rifle was made in 1916/17 at the Rock Island Armoury. It was wrapped in hessian and soaked in grease that had hardened over the years. After much cleaning, and fitting a modern stock and scope mounts, I had a reliable and somewhat different rifle.

I also bought a 9mm Star BM around the same time. To save on ammunition costs I purchased Lee Loaders for both calibres. I spent many happy hours tapping away and never had a faulty round or any other problem. The .30-06 set had a case length trimmer, chamfer tool and a seating cylinder (complete with micrometer) to accommodate different seating depths. For convenience I bought a hand-held priming tool. I even made a wooden box to hold the components in milled holes and slots.

After taking up black powder shooting I gave the rifle to my nephew and the reloading gear to a friend. The rifle is still in use. It’s now known as The War Horse by his hunting friends and does create a fair bit of interest being well over 100 years old. I think the Lee Loader is on display with various other interesting pieces at a shooting club.

I agree with contributor André Grobler’s views of Opinel knives. My late wife bought me a boxed set, containing No 2 - 10 and No 12. My preferred choice for everyday use was the No 6 but after losing it I picked the No 7 in its place. These knives are lightweight and hold an edge well. The patina on the No 7 is testament to daily carry and use, and it has been used many a time in restaurants where I’ve found the steak knives to be blunt. – Robbie Smith, Gauteng