Any question answered...

use ear warmers

Rapha Merino hat is a good option, I have colossal ears and it fits over them easily.

I've worn the Rapha winter hat under a helmet. My head is ~58cm in circumference, and I'd describe my ears as well-proportioned.

What do people do with their old bike chains? Bin?

Xmas tree decorations.

+1 for the Rapha merino hat. Works well under a helmet & covers my ears, and I have a fat head.

Cantgoslow are flogging just that kind of hat right now, in three fetching colourways.

I have a fat head (~60cm circumference) and the icebreaker one covers them nicely. I have had problems with other hats letting cold air on my ears.

A hat like yours, but smaller

That doesn't even make sense - it would perch on top of their head?

Thanks for the recommendations... I'd say the ears in question are slightly smaller than Dammit's (I'm not buying a present for Dumbo) and the head is probably about as fat as Regal's so these are all good reference points.

Argh, the Rapha winter hat is out of stock online. Fuck it. Christmas is cancelled. I give up.

I have a really nice merino Buff for under the helmet. I've tried a few hats but find Buff's to be a bit more versatile. Easier to trim back when you don't want complete head covering and can pressed into full head/neck service if needed.

What do people do with their old bike chains? Bin?

I usually lob mine in with the recycling.

Hats the standard merino hat is very good- winter hat can easily be too hot

^^^ I like buffs too, in fact I have asked Father Christmas for another one so that I have two on rotation.

^ I've sent you a (helpful, obvs) email...

Winter hat is indeed quite heavy duty. I've worn it under a helmet but that's not its forte.

We mean this one:

http://www.rapha.cc/merino-hat/

What do people do with their old bike chains? Bin?

http://www.mawi.co.uk/shop/collections/rebel-rocks/rose-gold-plated-double-bike-chain-choker-with-crystals-and-spikes.html

Winter hat is indeed quite heavy duty. I've worn it under a helmet but that's not its forte.

We mean this one:

http://www.rapha.cc/merino-hat/

Okay, christmas is back on. I like this hat.

Is it even possible? The outer diameter of the French thread is bigger than the pilot bore for the Italian.

I read somewhere that it was, I assumed that Italian was the only option as the threads go in the wrong direction on English

Rapha merino hat just covers the very tops of my ears. I need to have the merino neck collar pulled up over the back of my head/neck, a bit like this:

And then have the merino hat on top to keep the rest of my head warm and to help keep the neck warmer in place.

I read somewhere that it was, I assumed that Italian was the only option as the threads go in the wrong direction on English

Italian threads are clockwise on both sides, so the NDS is the same direction as english but the DS is opposite.

Do you look a little like a wooden spoon in silhouette?

Italian threads are clockwise on both sides, so the NDS is the same direction as english but the DS is opposite.

French works the same as Italian, hence why I though tapping to English to be an impossibility.

Going skiing at the end of Jan. Haven't been since I was 12 so I have no idea what I need. I know that we will be hiring boots and skis but what else do I need. 3-4 days of actual skiing, no much apres ski.

1. Ski Jacket
   
2. Sallopettes (sp?) Or ski trousers
   
3. Ski Gloves
   
4. Ski goggles
   
   

What else?

decent, thick, comfortable and long socks

hat

scarf

Base layer maybe (merino is good for jan)

possibly long johns if you're weak.

In Jan definitely long johns! Go check the merino thread for the jelly Hansen discount. Also take sun glasses

Sub£10 present for a 9yo girly girl with a short attention span?

From memory likes singing and dancing.

Any ideas would be appreciated. No nail varnish.

Base layers and thin gloves, and other thin layers for those warmer skiing days. Yes, still technically freezing but if the winds down and the sun is up then you don't want to end up cooking.
Hat definitely, or a helmet if you're so inclined.

I'd advise against just think long socks and go for some proper ski socks. They don't cost too much and make a big difference in comfort. Ski trousers over salopettes definitely.

Sun cream and lip protection.

When you hire ski boots, asy you're half a size smaller than you actually are. Boot padding gets worn out quickly in rental boots and a tighter fit is better than the loose nonsense they usually hand out. Ask about whether they will allow you to exchange skis during the holiday. Depending on where you go and if it gets really powdery you might enjoy getting some off-piste skis for bounding around snow fields close to the slopes.

+1 on the proper ski socks. I love how much lighter and thinner everything is now compared to when I was a kid.

Also leg stretching and doing some training will pay dividends. Seriously.