 yes indeed.
My wife doesn't worry at all. I've told her about this thread and she says ` your 53 years old, you can look after yourself'. This is true I made a reverse charges call home from Scotland because i could get no signal. My wife refused to take the call because `she doesn't know anyone in Scotland'
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My wife refused to take the call because `she doesn't know anyone in Scotland'
Or so she says 
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 For years it never occurred to me that anyone would worry about me - then about a year ago, my partner was in the Cairngorms for work in the middle of some serious winter weather and e-mailed me saying she was off out for a roll around the next day. I mailed her back with all sorts of 'useful' advice about checking the avalanche forecast, how iffy the weather can be in the 'gorms etc and was then ritually slaughtered for being a patronising git. It made me realise that sometimes you have to simply trust the other person's competence and judgement, which I should have done and I guess is what I expect from others. Technically the 'right answer' is probably that you let someone know your rough plans and specify an estimated time of return along with an agreed plan of action if you're late - eg: after two hours call mountain rescue or whatever. I will be slightly more careful on my own, then again I tend not to take unreasonable risks in groups either, there's no particular advantage to falling off a crag in company as opposed to solo...It's generally best not to.
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I will be slightly more careful on my own, then again I tend not to take unreasonable risks in groups either, there's no particular advantage to falling off a crag in company as opposed to solo...It's generally best not to.
I've been to Scotland, the Lakes, N. Wales on my own. The only place i've been `rescued' by the emergency services is in Kent. 
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I'm wondering about getting a roaming sim for the phone. These aren't linked to a network. Checking in more detail it seems that I could get one with an isle of man (therefore UK free incoming calls) code. PLBs or SPOTs still seem steep to me, not to mention more weight - I suspect if I could at least access all available phone signals that might be some sort of progress not to mention being cheap and light. Has anybody else tried this option? Alternatively am I just a skinflint with a cheap pay as you go phone with a crap aerial?
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 I must admit I usually say 'I'm off to Wales' and that's it, no one ever asks for a route or location! Maybe they want the insurance haha. I must admit to being a bit grumpy if people ask me to ring when I get home- grew up in a household with no phone so just not used to that. It's something I need to sort as rarely take my phone anyway and realised the other day that I don't normally carry my wallet either, so I've no ID on me if something did go wrong. Town centres are far more dangerous.
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Has anybody else tried this option? Alternatively am I just a skinflint with a cheap pay as you go phone with a crap aerial?
I get better signal with a cheap nokia than any of my mates with iphones etc. Got told that even without signal a mobile will still be able to connect a 999 but not sure how that would work!
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 The missus is just as likely to be out on her own up a hill as I am. Probably more so in fact. It's natural to worry a bit about someone who is part of your life not being there. But TBH I'm more worried about the roads than the hills: I'll worry when she's driving back alone from a late night gig much more than if she's fallen down a mountain. But there's worry and there's Worry So Much I Wish You Wouldn't Do It. If we were at the latter we wouldn't be married. Pete.
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I was in a bothy this weekend with my cheap nokia. No signal on 02. Some other people turned up, same network and they could get one bar. For me to get that meant going up above the snowline
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 Being based in Guernsey means I am always roaming when on the mainland. My phone just picks up the strongest signal available. It is noticeable that I can make a call when some others can't. Having said that there are still plenty of places where a signal is not available, ranging from Noydart (non-existent) to Buttermere (patchy). You can get a PAYG sim card that will roam from wave telecom, but the Airtel/vodaphone offering over here latches on to the airtel network in the uk. It is worth noting that text uses lower power and is effectvely a data burst so will get out when a voice call fails. It may make better use of a low/cold battery as well. I do most of my walking solo or with my 16y/o daughter in Scotland often changing/making up plans on the fly, and am considering a Spot device to stick in my pack. Steve D
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For me to get that meant going up above the snowline Can see the headline in the paper now: "man injured in fall while trying to get 'phone signal"...
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 Get a cheap (can get for £20 or less) unlocked phone and carry a few (usually free) pay-as-you-go SIMs from other networks with a few pounds credit on each. Gives you the backup of a second phone (should your main one break / run out of juice) and choice of networks so better chance of getting a signal. Or most people have an old phone kicking around - if it is locked there are places that will unlock it for free / cheap or speak to your network - some networks may unlock out-of-contract phones for free or just make a small charge for it. Total cost and weight is very little but gives a lot of peace of mind. Tip: Remember to make at least one chargeable call / text on each SIM every few months as some networks will deactivate SIMs after 3-6-9 months. If you do not mind the cost get an Iridium satellite phone - around £600-1000 to buy and a contract with a small number of minutes thrown inabout £25 per month! Expensive but should work almost anywhere on the globe!
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 I'm thinking of buying a GeoSim Global Sim Card £14.98 including £5 call credit it uses whichever of the UK mobile networks that has the strongest signal at the time,but calls cost 31p a minute and texts 27p.Has anyone seen a better deal elsewere?
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I have a feeling that's the going rate. Look at this outfit - Isle of Man based roaming http://www.0044.co.uk/Global-sim-card.htm#
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One think to be aware of is that calls to Isle of Man numbers may not be included on your mobile tariff but think BT charges then as normal mobile numbers? If it can genuinely roam across Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-mobile and 3 then it seems good - but could not find anything that specifically said that?
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 If you do not mind the cost get an Iridium satellite phone - around £600-1000 to buy and a contract with a small number of minutes thrown inabout £25 per month! Expensive but should work almost anywhere on the globe!
Indeed they do. my Bro and his wife were on a big trip round West Falkland for their hols a couple of years back and I had a call from him one evening (he'd blagged an iridium from someone) because he needed rescuing. Nothing sinister, he'd just got his rover bogged in a stream way too badly for self de-bogging.... Needless to say he got some stick for that!
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If it can genuinely roam across Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-mobile and 3 then it seems good - but could not find anything that specifically said that?
From the FAQs on GeoSim
What Network Do You Use? GeoSIM uses the existing GSM networks, such as Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, O2, ATT, Telefonica, SFR, MTN, Digicell and many other GSM networks around the world. It will automatically select the strongest signal and lock on to it. You may find that as you move around, the network to which GeoSIM uses changes. Regardless of which network you are on in a particular country, the charges will be the same. This means you actually have a better service than the locals! It sounds like a good service and they charge in UK Pounds not US Dollars like some of the other companies I have seen.But Knowing me I will probably just stay with my ASDAmobile (vodafone) simcard and call home every 2-3 days
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 Have you considered hypnosis, strong medication 
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Hi Lee, Welcome to Outdoorsmagic Have you considered hypnosis, strong medication No.
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hi Graham, thanks
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