I remember learning to tie a bowline knot in the Scouts. You soon learnt because it was the only way of abseiling down a vertical rock face with just a single rope and surviving. Not allowed any more of course on health and safety grounds, and they all sit in pre-formed bum cradles instead - a bit like using digital tuners instead of developing a musical ear, or venturing beyond the first five frets without a capo, I suppose. Do I get a prize for the worst thread creep ever?