Walking Poles - I hate myself just thinking of them!

[CharlesHarris]

Young man, when you get to be an old dodger in your late 60s, your walking stick is your best friend. Mine is of Chinese waxwood, with Marbles compass set into its threaded brass butt cap, which contains a Sparklite striker, tinder and emergency money. The smaller pointy end is also threaded and accepts either a rubber "foot" (for city use) or a steel spike for use on softer terrain, which is a dandy deterrent keeping aggressive dogs, misguided hari krisnas or hippies at a distance. I need not worry about Scots or Irishmen, if approached I ask where a stranger might find a wee bit of spirit and they are happy to guide me. 8-)