I use a similar v pole setup by using 2 telescopic tarp poles lashed together. The tarp poles are shorten to use as trekking poles when hiking. The poles and lavvu comes in at 4lbs per person, 8 lbs total. I also added a line at the front and back to stabilize the poles. The lavvu also is used for an outer coat in cold weather and a rain poncho. I also use one lavvu as a lean to sometimes with a long fire and the second can be used as a outer cape.
Hi Bill. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment so fully. That is a really good idea with the tarp poles - thank you for sharing. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
Hi Survival Comms. Thank you for your comments, they are appreciated. It takes a little bit of work to get the lengths right bit I think it is worth it. ATB Nigel
Great video mate, I've got the Polish laavu and have been pondering getting the Hungarian zeltbahn so it was awesome to see them side by side and with the dimensions thank you👍 Take care mate Roo
Hi Neil. Thanks for the kind comment. You could try a pole which was as long as one sloped side, it might work but i think it would be more than a little difficult to set up. If you have an old piece of wood it might be worth a try. ATB. Nigel
Hello Nigel, Great improvisations mate , very cool. I've only used one half of the Laavu in which I fitted a makeshift mosquito net on to cover the opening , I'm 6 ' 3 and fit in it with room for a medium rucksack. Nice video. Thanks. Atb Darren.
Hi Roo. Thanks for the great and supportive comment. I hope my opinions are accurate enough. I liked the zeltbahn but found it a little on the small side. OK if you intend using a camper mat but too small for even a 4 leg camp bed. Hope this helps. ATB as ever Nigel
Hi John. Thank you once again for watching and commenting. An exterior tripod would be great but here in the UK but it is very difficult to cut trees on land that you do not own and an internal pole is lighter than three external ones - however I will give it a try. ATB as ever. Nigel
Hi David. Thank you for watching and those kind words. I hope you find more useful information. Stay safe in these troubled times (especially this Christmas and New Year). ATB Nigel
no probs, enjoyed the video and the comparison of the 2 tents. i liked the hungarian better, just because it has got a nice camo pattern:) but both tents looks ok.
been using laavu as rain poncho for years love it :) . although i did sew identical poncho/tent halves from waterproof nylon. this way i have best of both: fantastic rain poncho, big tent and very very lightweight too.
Hi Sean. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Pole sleeves sounds good to me; actually they were sections cut from an old aluminium tent poles. I cant remember the length of the poles, I think about 12" or 30 cms. If you are making your own; try using an adjustable walking pole and measuring it or try pegging out the 'tent' and then hanging it from a tree and measure the height and then work out how long you want the poles to be. Use a screw for the top pole and a rubber walking stick end for the bottom pole. Measure the erected laavu or zeltbahn before you start to make poles etc. I hope this helps. Best wishes. Nigel
I find that the zeltbahn is very easy to tension and set up, moreso than the lavvu. It'll fit anyone up to maybe 5 foot 10? mine fits me without touching either end, and i am 5 foot 7. The zeltbahn has less space for gear which is a fairly large loss, as the rounded design of the lavvu will allow both occupants to have their packs in the tent at the same time as sleeping there. The zeltbahn buttons are very finnicky, and a large downside is that the tent does not cap like the lavvu does. I made myself a cap and have buttons to attach it to the top however. Overall the lavvu is much better, but you're going to be forced to make modifications to it due to the unrobust loose threading that holds the buttons in place. If you need to be able to set up the whole tent fast, I agree that the zeltbahn is perfect, so long as it's been buttoned up. An easy zeltbahn mod is zippers and a flap for over it, which makes the zeltbahn possibly the best canvas shelter-tent for a speedy setup that's gonna let you stay dry and pitched for as long as you want really.
Love the mod you made for the two slightly different tents ⛺️ if you could find some spare fibreglass poles at a camping shop, they would bring the weight down 👍🏻 Just subscribed 🙏🏻
Hi Michael. Thank you for watching and commenting. Fibreglass poles would be great but someone gave me a load of aluminium tubing/old tent poles so being a 'tighwad' I used them. Thank you for subscribing; I really appreciate it and hope you will find future videos useful and entertaining. ATB. Nigel
Useful tips there ! How long does each half of the bi- pod need to be please as I was going to buy some trekking poles and use them... would 53 inches be big enough for each half? Many thanks
Hi Marco. Thank you for your question. The length of the bipod for the Laavu poles needs to be more or less the same length as one of the seams when the shelter is pitched which is about 67 inches or 170 cms. Unfortunaly I do not have the Hungarian Zeltbahn any more so can't measure it for you but it too would need to be the length on one of the main seams. Hope this helps. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
@@marcodalifultano9457 You are more than welcome. You could try it out with a couple ofold pieces of wood before you invest in dowel. Let me know how you do. Best wishes. Nigel
The double layer shoulder covers go on the inside of the tent and if you look at the way the arm holes close you will see a baffle at the bottom which stops the water running into the tent I hope this makes sense and helps you. Regards Colin
Hi Weepony Bjorn. I have just weighed the 2 sheets and it looks like abi=out 2 Kg on my old bathroom scales - however I am not certain how accurate they are. Hope this helps. ATB. Nigel
Hi there! Thank you for watching and commenting. You are correct, the term Zeltbahn is German but because the Hungarian name for the shelter sheet is so difficult for most people to pronounce is is usually called a 'Zeltbahn', 'Hungarian Zeltbahn' or 'Hungarian shelter sheet'. Hope this helps. Best wishes. Nigel.
To be honest I really don't know but having said that size 3 is the largest so makes the most comfortably sized tent. I am 5'7" and just fit in a size 1. Like a poncho they could be worn over a backpack but it depends what you want. The advantage of a Laavu and zeltbahn is that they can be used with an open fir as they are less susceptible to spark damage but they are heavy when compared to a nylon poncho or shelter sheet. My advice would be to look at as many pictures of the Zeltbahn/Laavu as possible. I hope this helps. Stay safe in these troubled times. ATB Nigel
@@pnyarrow in your video you have a side 2, slap one on and take a pic :) You can always oval the tent for taller person, but worried about dragging floor.
Hi Bo. To be honest I just don't know but I suspect it would be cumbersome. However it might work if you had 4 and fastened them together into 2 diamaond shapes i.e 1 fastened upsde down to another and then the 2 'diamonds' buttoned together like the sheltersheets the Royal Marines use in Norway. Hope this helps. ATB Nigel
@@pnyarrow thanks for your reply. Sportsmansguide.com has the Hungarian poncho tarps on sale right now so I bought 3 of them. I guess I'll get to be the Guinea pig.
Cher Alain. Merci d'avoir regardé et commenté; c'est très apprécié. J'espère que vous avez pu comprendre mon accent «Geordie» du nord et la vidéo a été utile. Restez en sécurité et meilleurs voeux. Nigel (j'ai utilisé la traduction Google car je ne parle que l'anglais et le allemand)
Hi John. It takes 2 'zelts' to make 1 'tent'. However because of the shape of the 'Hungarian zelt' I do not think you can expand the number used to make a bigger tent. the 'German Zelbahn' is a triangular shape and it takes 4 to make a 'tent; one can however make bigger and differently shaped tents using more 'Zeltbahnen'. The shelter sheets the British use in Norway are like two triangles joined (to make a diamond shape)so it is possible to join almost any number together. Hope this helps. ATB. Nigel
Thanks for your help we ordered 4 zelts they should arrive soon. So can Make a shelter each for myself & wife when wild camping in the mountains doing Radio Communications. Some Brilliant info in your videos on the Hungarian Zeltbahn and the ways you can Erect them. could not get hold of the Polish laavu so the zelts were our second choice and will probably have to make a couple of bipod poles a smart idea you came up with there. Thanks Nigel
You are more than welcome. Some people make a bi or tripod for outside the tent to haul up the structure. Health to use them and success with the radio exercises. ATB Nigel
I own two of the polish ponchos. Realy nice and comfy tent. I mostly search for three big branches that I can use for a tripod so I have more space inside.
Hi . Zeltbahn is the German word for a triangular canvas sheet tent quarter it is also used as a generic term for poncho-tents especially as the hungarian version is difficult to pronounce if you are not hungarian. Hope this helps. ATB. Nigel
fantastic wee video , love my Lavvu but the Zeltbahn is next on my list a big thumbs up and subscribed, if you are interested i have a fb group called...Polish & Hungarian Lavvu owners Worldwide
Please excuse the delay in sending you a reply but I have just stumbled across your comments. Thank you for watching and commenting. Stay safe. Best wishes. Nigel
Zeltbahn may mean tent or tarp but it is the German Military term fore the issued canvas triangle which when buttoned together with three others made a shelter supposidly for four soldiers. Hope this helps.
Hi Tirza. To be honest I don't know but the meaning equates with something like poncho tent half as it can be used as a rain cape like a poncho and buttoned to another to make a tent like structure. Hope this helps. Best wishes. Nigel
Thanks for the Lavvu videos they are great 👍
Hi JL. Thank you for watching and commenting. Stay safe. ATB. NIgel
I use a similar v pole setup by using 2 telescopic tarp poles lashed together. The tarp poles are shorten to use as trekking poles when hiking. The poles and lavvu comes in at 4lbs per person, 8 lbs total. I also added a line at the front and back to stabilize the poles.
The lavvu also is used for an outer coat in cold weather and a rain poncho.
I also use one lavvu as a lean to sometimes with a long fire and the second can be used as a outer cape.
Hi Bill. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment so fully. That is a really good idea with the tarp poles - thank you for sharing. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
@@pnyarrow thank you, take care.
That bi pod idea is brilliant
Hi John. Thank you for watching and commenting I really appreciate it. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
That bipod idea is brilliant! Thanks!
Aaron Nottingham Thank you for your kind comment and subscribing
I really like your bipod idea. I like my Hungarian Zeltbahn. I spent several days in it with a bivysack. Thanks for sharing !
Hi Survival Comms. Thank you for your comments, they are appreciated. It takes a little bit of work to get the lengths right bit I think it is worth it. ATB Nigel
Thank you very much.
You answered all of my questions about these kind of shelters.
Cheers
Hi there. I don't know how I missed your comment but thank you for watching and commenting. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
This is a very helpful, insightful video - much appreciated - especially for your ideas on poles and telling us the sizes/weights. Thank you
Thank you for your very kind and supportive comments; they are much appreciated. Stay safe and have a good weekend. ATB. Nigel
Well done, thanks for taking the time and effort to pass along this info.
Hi Tramontane. Thank you for watching and commenting. I hope you found this of use. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
Great idea with the v pole. Useful vid . Hadn't seen the samaller one before👍
Great video mate, I've got the Polish laavu and have been pondering getting the Hungarian zeltbahn so it was awesome to see them side by side and with the dimensions thank you👍
Take care mate
Roo
Thank you for your kind comment, i hope the vid helps you make up your mind. good luck. ATB
Hi Nigel, Thanks for an informative video.
Hi Kev. It is great to receive your supportive comments once again. ATB. Nigel
Zeltbahn looks favourite.never used one but seem good with your idea.👍
Hi Terry. Thank you for watching and commenting. Zeltbahn/Laavu great with a campfire - shelter sheet great with a stove. Stay safe ATB Nigel
Great idea for the bipod setup, thanks.
You are more than welcome thank you for watching and commenting. ATB Nigel
great idea on the new pole set up,
i was trying to work out the other day a way to tilt the center
pole to maximize the space, :-)
Hi Neil. Thanks for the kind comment. You could try a pole which was as long as one sloped side, it might work but i think it would be more than a little difficult to set up. If you have an old piece of wood it might be worth a try. ATB. Nigel
Cool Set-ups my friend! Great and good tips as usual ;) Like the measurement thing.
Hi Sepp. Danke fürs Bemerkungen. Hoffentlich war es nicht zu 'Schule-ish' ATB Nigel
are you buying one
oi sepp always flirting with the ladies we never seen your frau on video
Hi Nigel,
I also use the polish Laavu and like it very much.
Thank you for your inspiration to improve it by use of the bipod.
ATB Arnd
Hi Arnd. I'm glad you liked the video. Danke dass du hast Bemerkungen gemacht. LG wie immer Nigel
Hello Nigel, Great improvisations mate , very cool. I've only used one half of the Laavu in which I fitted a makeshift mosquito net on to cover the opening , I'm 6 ' 3 and fit in it with room for a medium rucksack. Nice video. Thanks. Atb Darren.
Hi Darren. Glad you liked the video. I'm 5'8 (and shrinking with age) so I ought to be able to get a whole homestead in there. ATB. Nigel
Nicely done, thanks
Thank you for your kind comment. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
Awesome video thanks
Thank you Willis.. Stay safe and best wishers. Nigel
Awesome review Nigel will have to get one of those hungarian zeltbahns I really like that camo pattern 👍
Take care mate
Roo
Hi Roo. Thanks for the great and supportive comment. I hope my opinions are accurate enough. I liked the zeltbahn but found it a little on the small side. OK if you intend using a camper mat but too small for even a 4 leg camp bed. Hope this helps. ATB as ever Nigel
@@pnyarrow duly noted sir thank you! 👍
All the best
Roo
I missed out on affordable Hungarian zeltbauns but got 4 sets of the Polish Lavvu. I prefer the exterior tripod to the center pole.
Great video, John.
Hi John. Thank you once again for watching and commenting. An exterior tripod would be great but here in the UK but it is very difficult to cut trees on land that you do not own and an internal pole is lighter than three external ones - however I will give it a try. ATB as ever. Nigel
Well done :)
Hi Lars. Thanks for watching and commenting, it is appreciated. ATB
your to be found in many places Lars
Excellent....subscribed after watching this 🤙
Hi David. Thank you for watching and those kind words. I hope you find more useful information. Stay safe in these troubled times (especially this Christmas and New Year). ATB Nigel
great demo video!
Hi Laci. Thank you so much for your kind comment. ATB Nigel
no probs, enjoyed the video and the comparison of the 2 tents. i liked the hungarian better, just because it has got a nice camo pattern:) but both tents looks ok.
Both are sturdy and will take a lot of abuse, both are good but the Laavu is a little larger. Have a good Christmas.
そのポールがとても好きです👍
Hi there. I don't know how I missed your comment but thank you for watching and commenting. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
You sir are a genius. I hate the idea of one centre pole in the way. It's awkward to move around inside. Bipod is the answer.
Hi Stelmans. Than you fo ryou kind words they are much appreciated. ATB. Nigel
been using laavu as rain poncho for years love it :) . although i did sew identical poncho/tent halves from waterproof nylon. this way i have best of both: fantastic rain poncho, big tent and very very lightweight too.
Hi. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. I love your idea of making your own gear. Stay safe in these troubled times. ATB. Nigel
@@pnyarrow likewise :)
You clever so and so, ive watched umpteen videos trying to figure out the best pole system, fab idea cheers 🥂
Quick question, what's the correct terminology for the metal tubes that connect the dowels? Pole sleeves perhaps? Thanks
Last question i promise! Whats the length of one of the pole sections please 👍
Hi Sean. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Pole sleeves sounds good to me; actually they were sections cut from an old aluminium tent poles. I cant remember the length of the poles, I think about 12" or 30 cms. If you are making your own; try using an adjustable walking pole and measuring it or try pegging out the 'tent' and then hanging it from a tree and measure the height and then work out how long you want the poles to be. Use a screw for the top pole and a rubber walking stick end for the bottom pole. Measure the erected laavu or zeltbahn before you start to make poles etc. I hope this helps. Best wishes. Nigel
Fab cheers Nigel
Enjoyed vid ..
Thank you both! ATB Stay safe. Nigel
Cheers buddy .. glad I found your channel.. all the best Chris & Sam
I find that the zeltbahn is very easy to tension and set up, moreso than the lavvu. It'll fit anyone up to maybe 5 foot 10? mine fits me without touching either end, and i am 5 foot 7. The zeltbahn has less space for gear which is a fairly large loss, as the rounded design of the lavvu will allow both occupants to have their packs in the tent at the same time as sleeping there. The zeltbahn buttons are very finnicky, and a large downside is that the tent does not cap like the lavvu does. I made myself a cap and have buttons to attach it to the top however.
Overall the lavvu is much better, but you're going to be forced to make modifications to it due to the unrobust loose threading that holds the buttons in place. If you need to be able to set up the whole tent fast, I agree that the zeltbahn is perfect, so long as it's been buttoned up. An easy zeltbahn mod is zippers and a flap for over it, which makes the zeltbahn possibly the best canvas shelter-tent for a speedy setup that's gonna let you stay dry and pitched for as long as you want really.
Hi Noah. Thank you for watching and your comments. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
Love the mod you made for the two slightly different tents ⛺️ if you could find some spare fibreglass poles at a camping shop, they would bring the weight down 👍🏻
Just subscribed 🙏🏻
Hi Michael. Thank you for watching and commenting. Fibreglass poles would be great but someone gave me a load of aluminium tubing/old tent poles so being a 'tighwad' I used them. Thank you for subscribing; I really appreciate it and hope you will find future videos useful and entertaining. ATB. Nigel
I’m a tight arsed Yorkshire man now living in North Northumberland 👍🏻 free stuff the best 👌🏻
@@Yorkshiremadmick My 2 favourite prices are 'discounted' and free!
Useful tips there ! How long does each half of the bi- pod need to be please as I was going to buy some trekking poles and use them... would 53 inches be big enough for each half? Many thanks
Hi Marco. Thank you for your question. The length of the bipod for the Laavu poles needs to be more or less the same length as one of the seams when the shelter is pitched which is about 67 inches or 170 cms. Unfortunaly I do not have the Hungarian Zeltbahn any more so can't measure it for you but it too would need to be the length on one of the main seams. Hope this helps. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
Thanks I did check again for the measurements it’s more 75 inches will have to think again lol cheers :)
@@marcodalifultano9457 You are more than welcome. You could try it out with a couple ofold pieces of wood before you invest in dowel. Let me know how you do. Best wishes. Nigel
Two great bits of kit, the Polish Laavu was put up inside out.
How does one decide which side is which? The way i put it up seemed to work OK.
The double layer shoulder covers go on the inside of the tent and if you look at the
way the arm holes close you will see a baffle at the bottom which stops the water
running into the tent I hope this makes sense and helps you. Regards Colin
Hi Colin. Thanks for that I will try it out next time I am out. As they say every day is a school day. ATB Nigel
Hello, I was wondering how much the polish lavvu weighs without the poles and pegs. I'd be using different ones. So just the canvas. Thank you😊
Hi Weepony Bjorn. I have just weighed the 2 sheets and it looks like abi=out 2 Kg on my old bathroom scales - however I am not certain how accurate they are. Hope this helps. ATB. Nigel
Hey there! Nicely done. I personally prefer the Laavu over the Zeltbahn. The Laavu is simpler and not as many parts, ex: stakes and more spacious.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and reply, please excuse the delay in sending a reply but I have just got back to the computer. ATB Nigel
Not a prob, I'm just as bad. ;)
I like that bipod idea, but one question, I thought the zeltbahn was from Germany?.
Hi there! Thank you for watching and commenting. You are correct, the term Zeltbahn is German but because the Hungarian name for the shelter sheet is so difficult for most people to pronounce is is usually called a 'Zeltbahn', 'Hungarian Zeltbahn' or 'Hungarian shelter sheet'. Hope this helps. Best wishes. Nigel.
no worry, I was just curious, and liked what I saw, and I'll be checking out more of your content.
Thank you for your kind comments. Take care ATB. Nigel
Question: What size would you recommend for height? And do you wear them over bagpacks?
To be honest I really don't know but having said that size 3 is the largest so makes the most comfortably sized tent. I am 5'7" and just fit in a size 1. Like a poncho they could be worn over a backpack but it depends what you want. The advantage of a Laavu and zeltbahn is that they can be used with an open fir as they are less susceptible to spark damage but they are heavy when compared to a nylon poncho or shelter sheet. My advice would be to look at as many pictures of the Zeltbahn/Laavu as possible. I hope this helps. Stay safe in these troubled times. ATB Nigel
@@pnyarrow in your video you have a side 2, slap one on and take a pic :)
You can always oval the tent for taller person, but worried about dragging floor.
@@fantasticola I'm sorry I don't know what you mean.
Can you put three of the Hungarian tarps together to make a bigger shelter?
Hi Bo. To be honest I just don't know but I suspect it would be cumbersome. However it might work if you had 4 and fastened them together into 2 diamaond shapes i.e 1 fastened upsde down to another and then the 2 'diamonds' buttoned together like the sheltersheets the Royal Marines use in Norway. Hope this helps. ATB Nigel
@@pnyarrow thanks for your reply. Sportsmansguide.com has the Hungarian poncho tarps on sale right now so I bought 3 of them. I guess I'll get to be the Guinea pig.
@@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867 Hope all goes well with the poncho/tarps. Please let me know how you get on. ATB. Nigel
I’m frenchsorry. I like tarp very nice very good bâche I m collector
Cher Alain. Merci d'avoir regardé et commenté; c'est très apprécié. J'espère que vous avez pu comprendre mon accent «Geordie» du nord et la vidéo a été utile. Restez en sécurité et meilleurs voeux. Nigel (j'ai utilisé la traduction Google car je ne parle que l'anglais et le allemand)
zelt means tent
can you join 4 zelts together to make a larger tent?
Hi John. It takes 2 'zelts' to make 1 'tent'. However because of the shape of the 'Hungarian zelt' I do not think you can expand the number used to make a bigger tent. the 'German Zelbahn' is a triangular shape and it takes 4 to make a 'tent; one can however make bigger and differently shaped tents using more 'Zeltbahnen'. The shelter sheets the British use in Norway are like two triangles joined (to make a diamond shape)so it is possible to join almost any number together. Hope this helps. ATB. Nigel
Thanks for your help we ordered 4 zelts they should arrive soon. So can Make a shelter each for myself & wife when wild camping in the mountains doing Radio Communications. Some Brilliant info in your videos on the Hungarian Zeltbahn and the ways you can Erect them. could not get hold of the Polish laavu so the zelts were our second choice and will probably have to make a couple of bipod poles a smart idea you came up with there. Thanks Nigel
You are more than welcome. Some people make a bi or tripod for outside the tent to haul up the structure. Health to use them and success with the radio exercises. ATB Nigel
@@pnyarrow i have a diamond shsped zeltbahn
@@kentuckyburbon1777 Is this a Norwegian (and I think used by the British Royal Marines) tent section? Thank you for subscribing. ATB. Nigel.
I own two of the polish ponchos. Realy nice and comfy tent. I mostly search for three big branches that I can use for a tripod so I have more space inside.
Thank you for comenting. A Tripod sounds like a great idea. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
🇭🇺👌👍🤘
Hi there. I don't know how I missed your comment but thank you for watching and commenting. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel
I just left a comment about the le
Laavu,and I saw you made already a comparison
Thanks
Atb
Steve
You'r more than welcome ATB. Nigel
Zeltbahn
Hi . Zeltbahn is the German word for a triangular canvas sheet tent quarter it is also used as a generic term for poncho-tents especially as the hungarian version is difficult to pronounce if you are not hungarian. Hope this helps. ATB. Nigel
fantastic wee video , love my Lavvu but the Zeltbahn is next on my list a big thumbs up and subscribed, if you are interested i have a fb group called...Polish & Hungarian Lavvu owners Worldwide
Thank you for taking the time to watch and even more thanks for subscribing. Will check out the FB page. ATB. Nigel
many thanks Nigel...atb
so there both the same
Please excuse the delay in sending you a reply but I have just stumbled across your comments. Thank you for watching and commenting. Stay safe. Best wishes. Nigel
zeltbahn means tarp
Zeltbahn may mean tent or tarp but it is the German Military term fore the issued canvas triangle which when buttoned together with three others made a shelter supposidly for four soldiers. Hope this helps.
i bought 4 pieces in the 90s to make a tent but wasnt enough they were diamond shape i think i needed more
i watched east german tent made from many pieces nva
What's the meanning of "Laavu"..?
Polish Laavu = ....?
Hi Tirza. To be honest I don't know but the meaning equates with something like poncho tent half as it can be used as a rain cape like a poncho and buttoned to another to make a tent like structure. Hope this helps. Best wishes. Nigel
@@pnyarrow like goahlti ?
@@tirzawahyuni60 Similar idea i.e. a pointed tent that is round and pegged out. ATB.
@@pnyarrow oh,..okay thank's a lot..😊
@@tirzawahyuni60 Where are you writing from? - just as a matter of interest