Any question answered...

I saw a small bird of prey in east london last week, at the top of a tree by the river. It was grey and had hooked wings. I thought it might be a sparrowhawk but internet says they are quite small. This was just larger than a wood pigeon and perched upright. I'd like to think I'd have recognised a peregrine, and also I think they tend to hang out much higher up. Any ideas?

Kestrel is probably the most likely, they're pretty common here in essex. I'd guess either that or a peregrine.

Kestrels are small, as are male sparrowhawks. You almost certainly saw a female sparrowhawk. Peregrines consider pigeons to be an easy lunch, to give an idea of comparative size. Peregrines are slightly less common than an available black cab in a thunderstorm in London.

Ta (and @Colonel_of_Truth )
I think the new tall residential towers nearby might have peregrine boxes/platforms so while I'm pretty sure it wasn't one there's a chance yet. They also installed a couple artificial otter holts. But however hard I try I can't imagine otters in the lower Lea...

I was lucky enough to see a peregrine diving on prey of some sort in north wales some years ago. I could see it wheeling above a valley I was walking along the top of, then it folded it’s wings and dropped, at a ridiculous speed. Impressive stuff.

Peregrine's everywhere in Brum - there not as rare as they used to be!

Caveat - maybe two breeding pairs in the city and you can hear them for fricking miles....

If I was considering buying a ‘vintage’ carbon frame (ie. a KG-281 or similar), what should my concerns be?

That you could be buying something much nicer and newer.

Hardly expensive and I’m not massively fussed about buying something newer. I was thinking more along the lines of likely areas of fatigue and all that stuff.

Main issue would be UV deterioration of the epoxy over time if it’s a natural carbon finish. Look for any flaking. The joins were well over-engineered but look for any gaps around the lugs and the tubes. They weren’t the lightest of carbon frames but as a result they were pretty bomb-proof.

The real downside with an old used carbon frame is that you’ve probably got no idea of its crash history. Short of x-raying it you can never tell if it’s got any invisible damage. Drop the fork out and check the steerer/crown join if there is one (can’t recall offhand if they have an alu steerer or are one piece)

If it’s any use, I had a Time frame/fork of a similar design and vintage that was well battered by the time I decided to retire it after one crash too many, but it never failed on me. Your call, tbh.

A couple of breeding pairs of peregrines on the cliffs a mile from here, currently a sparrowhawk sat on the hedge beneath my feeder. Once you've seen both you won't mistake one for the other!

Yeah I've seen peregrines a couple of times at displays. I'm going with sparrowhawk.

Aren’t they the fastest animal on the planet? (When diving). I vaguely recall them having some mods so their lungs and eyes don’t explode under the air pressure

242 mph apparently.

Too bloody quick if you're a pigeon!

Many thanks - exactly what I was looking for!
Because it would be buying over the internet, with no chance for taking a good look prior to sale, I'm inclined to not bother,

How do I erase myself from free Spotify? Only saw instructions for subscription services.

I want to buy a skipping rope. Are the cheap plastic ones ok or should I get an adjustable leather one

It depends.

On anything? I'm not trying to become a boxer, just something to try out that might be fun

In that case I can recommend this model -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional-WIRE-Skipping-Jump-Rope-with-Weighted-Steel-Handles-Athletics-Gear/153491744779?epid=749961230&hash=item23bcd2280b:g:hQ8AAOSwhQhY7ow6

In case you should get bored with the rope skipping you might find other fun activities with the handles.

pleasurable. thanks very much.

Any time.

you might find other fun activities with the handles.

And with a stout cable for withdrawal, there will be none of those embarrassing visits to A&E 🙂