diff --git a/chain/src/chain.rs b/chain/src/chain.rs
index 78a78232..61077be5 100644
--- a/chain/src/chain.rs
+++ b/chain/src/chain.rs
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ impl Chain {
 				info!(LOGGER, "Saved genesis block with hash {}", gen.hash());
 				tip
 			}
-			Err(e) => return Err(Error::StoreErr(e)),
+			Err(e) => return Err(Error::StoreErr(e, "chain init load head".to_owned())),
 		};
 
 		let store = Arc::new(chain_store);
@@ -116,7 +116,8 @@ impl Chain {
 	/// has been added to the longest chain, None if it's added to an (as of
 	/// now) orphan chain.
 	pub fn process_block(&self, b: Block, opts: Options) -> Result<Option<Tip>, Error> {
-		let head = self.store.head().map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
+		let head = self.store.head().map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "chain load head".to_owned()))?;
+    let height = head.height;
 		let ctx = self.ctx_from_head(head, opts);
 
 		let res = pipe::process_block(&b, ctx);
@@ -140,9 +141,11 @@ impl Chain {
 			}
 			Ok(None) => {}
 			Err(Error::Orphan) => {
-				let mut orphans = self.orphans.lock().unwrap();
-				orphans.push_front((opts, b));
-				orphans.truncate(MAX_ORPHANS);
+        if b.header.height < height + (MAX_ORPHANS as u64) {
+          let mut orphans = self.orphans.lock().unwrap();
+          orphans.push_front((opts, b));
+          orphans.truncate(MAX_ORPHANS);
+        }
 			}
 			Err(ref e) => {
 				info!(
@@ -166,7 +169,7 @@ impl Chain {
 		opts: Options,
 	) -> Result<Option<Tip>, Error> {
 
-		let head = self.store.get_header_head().map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
+		let head = self.store.get_header_head().map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "chain header head".to_owned()))?;
 		let ctx = self.ctx_from_head(head, opts);
 
 		pipe::process_block_header(bh, ctx)
@@ -221,8 +224,8 @@ impl Chain {
 		let sumtrees = self.sumtrees.read().unwrap();
 		let is_unspent = sumtrees.is_unspent(output_ref)?;
 		if is_unspent {
-			self.store.get_output_by_commit(output_ref).map_err(
-				&Error::StoreErr,
+			self.store.get_output_by_commit(output_ref).map_err(|e|
+			  Error::StoreErr(e, "chain get unspent".to_owned())
 			)
 		} else {
 			Err(Error::OutputNotFound)
@@ -259,23 +262,23 @@ impl Chain {
 
 	/// Block header for the chain head
 	pub fn head_header(&self) -> Result<BlockHeader, Error> {
-		self.store.head_header().map_err(&Error::StoreErr)
+		self.store.head_header().map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "chain head header".to_owned()))
 	}
 
 	/// Gets a block header by hash
 	pub fn get_block(&self, h: &Hash) -> Result<Block, Error> {
-		self.store.get_block(h).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)
+		self.store.get_block(h).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "chain get block".to_owned()))
 	}
 
 	/// Gets a block header by hash
 	pub fn get_block_header(&self, h: &Hash) -> Result<BlockHeader, Error> {
-		self.store.get_block_header(h).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)
+		self.store.get_block_header(h).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "chain get header".to_owned()))
 	}
 
 	/// Gets the block header at the provided height
 	pub fn get_header_by_height(&self, height: u64) -> Result<BlockHeader, Error> {
-		self.store.get_header_by_height(height).map_err(
-			&Error::StoreErr,
+		self.store.get_header_by_height(height).map_err(|e|
+			Error::StoreErr(e, "chain get header by height".to_owned()),
 		)
 	}
 
@@ -286,12 +289,12 @@ impl Chain {
 	) -> Result<BlockHeader, Error> {
 		self.store
 			.get_block_header_by_output_commit(commit)
-			.map_err(&Error::StoreErr)
+			.map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "chain get commitment".to_owned()))
 	}
 
 	/// Get the tip of the header chain
 	pub fn get_header_head(&self) -> Result<Tip, Error> {
-		self.store.get_header_head().map_err(&Error::StoreErr)
+		self.store.get_header_head().map_err(|e |Error::StoreErr(e, "chain get header head".to_owned()))
 	}
 
 	/// Builds an iterator on blocks starting from the current chain head and
diff --git a/chain/src/pipe.rs b/chain/src/pipe.rs
index 8fd96044..965b0dea 100644
--- a/chain/src/pipe.rs
+++ b/chain/src/pipe.rs
@@ -63,10 +63,16 @@ pub fn process_block(b: &Block, mut ctx: BlockContext) -> Result<Option<Tip>, Er
 
 	validate_header(&b.header, &mut ctx)?;
 
-	// take the lock on the sum trees and start a chain extension unit of work
-	// dependent on the success of the internal validation and saving operations
+	// valid header, time to take the lock on the sum trees
 	let local_sumtrees = ctx.sumtrees.clone();
 	let mut sumtrees = local_sumtrees.write().unwrap();
+
+	// update head now that we're in the lock
+	ctx.head = ctx.store.head().
+		map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "pipe reload head".to_owned()))?;
+
+	// start a chain extension unit of work dependent on the success of the
+	// internal validation and saving operations
 	sumtree::extending(&mut sumtrees, |mut extension| {
 
 		validate_block(b, &mut ctx, &mut extension)?;
@@ -162,8 +168,8 @@ fn validate_header(header: &BlockHeader, ctx: &mut BlockContext) -> Result<(), E
 	}
 
 	// first I/O cost, better as late as possible
-	let prev = try!(ctx.store.get_block_header(&header.previous).map_err(
-		&Error::StoreErr,
+	let prev = try!(ctx.store.get_block_header(&header.previous).map_err(|e|
+		Error::StoreErr(e, format!("previous block header {}", header.previous)),
 	));
 
 	if header.height != prev.height + 1 {
@@ -208,19 +214,6 @@ fn validate_block(
 	let curve = secp::Secp256k1::with_caps(secp::ContextFlag::Commit);
 	try!(b.validate(&curve).map_err(&Error::InvalidBlockProof));
 
-	// check that all the outputs of the block are "new" -
-	// that they do not clobber any existing unspent outputs (by their commitment)
-	//
-	// TODO - do we need to do this here (and can we do this here if we need access
-	// to the chain)
-	// see check_duplicate_outputs in pool for the analogous operation on
-	// transaction outputs
-	// for output in &block.outputs {
-	// here we would check that the output is not a duplicate output based on the
-	// current chain
-	// };
-
-
 	// apply the new block to the MMR trees and check the new root hashes
 	if b.header.previous == ctx.head.last_block_h {
 		// standard head extension
@@ -268,7 +261,7 @@ fn validate_block(
 		kernel_root.hash != b.header.kernel_root
 	{
 
-		ext.dump();
+		ext.dump(false);
 		return Err(Error::InvalidRoot);
 	}
 
@@ -297,14 +290,12 @@ fn validate_block(
 
 /// Officially adds the block to our chain.
 fn add_block(b: &Block, ctx: &mut BlockContext) -> Result<(), Error> {
-	ctx.store.save_block(b).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
-
-	Ok(())
+	ctx.store.save_block(b).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "pipe save block".to_owned()))
 }
 
 /// Officially adds the block header to our header chain.
 fn add_block_header(bh: &BlockHeader, ctx: &mut BlockContext) -> Result<(), Error> {
-	ctx.store.save_block_header(bh).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)
+	ctx.store.save_block_header(bh).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "pipe save header".to_owned()))
 }
 
 /// Directly updates the head if we've just appended a new block to it or handle
@@ -317,18 +308,16 @@ fn update_head(b: &Block, ctx: &mut BlockContext) -> Result<Option<Tip>, Error>
 	if tip.total_difficulty > ctx.head.total_difficulty {
 
 		// update the block height index
-		ctx.store.setup_height(&b.header).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
+		ctx.store.setup_height(&b.header).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "pipe setup height".to_owned()))?;
 
     // in sync mode, only update the "body chain", otherwise update both the
     // "header chain" and "body chain", updating the header chain in sync resets
 		// all additional "future" headers we've received
     if ctx.opts.intersects(SYNC) {
-      ctx.store.save_body_head(&tip).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
+			ctx.store.save_body_head(&tip).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "pipe save body".to_owned()))?;
     } else {
-      ctx.store.save_head(&tip).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
+			ctx.store.save_head(&tip).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "pipe save head".to_owned()))?;
     }      
-
-		ctx.store.save_head(&tip).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
 		ctx.head = tip.clone();
 		info!(LOGGER, "Updated head to {} at {}.", b.hash(), b.header.height);
 		Ok(Some(tip))
@@ -345,7 +334,7 @@ fn update_header_head(bh: &BlockHeader, ctx: &mut BlockContext) -> Result<Option
 	// when extending the head), update it
 	let tip = Tip::from_block(bh);
 	if tip.total_difficulty > ctx.head.total_difficulty {
-		ctx.store.save_header_head(&tip).map_err(&Error::StoreErr)?;
+		ctx.store.save_header_head(&tip).map_err(|e| Error::StoreErr(e, "pipe save header head".to_owned()))?;
 
 		ctx.head = tip.clone();
 		info!(
diff --git a/chain/src/sumtree.rs b/chain/src/sumtree.rs
index 499e7bf2..70aac177 100644
--- a/chain/src/sumtree.rs
+++ b/chain/src/sumtree.rs
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ use grin_store;
 use grin_store::sumtree::PMMRBackend;
 use types::ChainStore;
 use types::Error;
+use util::LOGGER;
 
 const SUMTREES_SUBDIR: &'static str = "sumtrees";
 const UTXO_SUBDIR: &'static str = "utxo";
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ impl SumTrees {
 		match rpos {
 			Ok(pos) => Ok(self.output_pmmr_h.backend.get(pos).is_some()),
 			Err(grin_store::Error::NotFoundErr) => Ok(false),
-			Err(e) => Err(Error::StoreErr(e)),
+			Err(e) => Err(Error::StoreErr(e, "sumtree unspent check".to_owned())),
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ where
 	let res: Result<T, Error>;
 	let rollback: bool;
 	{
+    debug!(LOGGER, "Starting new sumtree extension.");
 		let commit_index = trees.commit_index.clone();
 		let mut extension = Extension::new(trees, commit_index);
 		res = inner(&mut extension);
@@ -126,6 +128,7 @@ where
 	}
 	match res {
 		Err(e) => {
+      debug!(LOGGER, "Error returned, discarding sumtree extension.");
 			trees.output_pmmr_h.backend.discard();
 			trees.rproof_pmmr_h.backend.discard();
 			trees.kernel_pmmr_h.backend.discard();
@@ -133,10 +136,12 @@ where
 		}
 		Ok(r) => {
 			if rollback {
+        debug!(LOGGER, "Rollbacking sumtree extension.");
 				trees.output_pmmr_h.backend.discard();
 				trees.rproof_pmmr_h.backend.discard();
 				trees.kernel_pmmr_h.backend.discard();
 			} else {
+        debug!(LOGGER, "Committing sumtree extension.");
 				trees.output_pmmr_h.backend.sync()?;
 				trees.rproof_pmmr_h.backend.sync()?;
 				trees.kernel_pmmr_h.backend.sync()?;
@@ -145,6 +150,7 @@ where
 				trees.kernel_pmmr_h.last_pos = sizes.2;
 			}
 
+      debug!(LOGGER, "Sumtree extension done.");
 			Ok(r)
 		}
 	}
@@ -264,6 +270,7 @@ impl<'a> Extension<'a> {
 		let out_pos_rew = self.commit_index.get_output_pos(&output.commitment())?;
 		let kern_pos_rew = self.commit_index.get_kernel_pos(&kernel.excess)?;
 
+    debug!(LOGGER, "Rewind sumtrees to {}", out_pos_rew);
 		self.output_pmmr
 			.rewind(out_pos_rew, height as u32)
 			.map_err(&Error::SumTreeErr)?;
@@ -273,6 +280,7 @@ impl<'a> Extension<'a> {
 		self.kernel_pmmr
 			.rewind(kern_pos_rew, height as u32)
 			.map_err(&Error::SumTreeErr)?;
+    self.dump(true);
 		Ok(())
 	}
 
@@ -293,14 +301,17 @@ impl<'a> Extension<'a> {
 		self.rollback = true;
 	}
 
-	/// Dumps the state of the 3 sum trees to stdout for debugging
-	pub fn dump(&self) {
-		println!("-- outputs --");
-		self.output_pmmr.dump();
-		println!("-- range proofs --");
-		self.rproof_pmmr.dump();
-		println!("-- kernels --");
-		self.kernel_pmmr.dump();
+	/// Dumps the state of the 3 sum trees to stdout for debugging. Short version
+  /// only prints the UTXO tree.
+	pub fn dump(&self, short: bool) {
+		debug!(LOGGER, "-- outputs --");
+		self.output_pmmr.dump(short);
+    if !short {
+      debug!(LOGGER, "-- range proofs --");
+      self.rproof_pmmr.dump(short);
+      debug!(LOGGER, "-- kernels --");
+      self.kernel_pmmr.dump(short);
+    }
 	}
 
 	// Sizes of the sum trees, used by `extending` on rollback.
diff --git a/chain/src/types.rs b/chain/src/types.rs
index 10a64f80..fa7fa495 100644
--- a/chain/src/types.rs
+++ b/chain/src/types.rs
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ pub enum Error {
 	/// Invalid block version, either a mistake or outdated software
 	InvalidBlockVersion(u16),
 	/// Internal issue when trying to save or load data from store
-	StoreErr(grin_store::Error),
+	StoreErr(grin_store::Error, String),
 	/// Error serializing or deserializing a type
 	SerErr(ser::Error),
 	/// Error while updating the sum trees
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ pub enum Error {
 
 impl From<grin_store::Error> for Error {
 	fn from(e: grin_store::Error) -> Error {
-		Error::StoreErr(e)
+		Error::StoreErr(e, "wrapped".to_owned())
 	}
 }
 impl From<ser::Error> for Error {
diff --git a/core/src/core/block.rs b/core/src/core/block.rs
index ce3e53da..d30b8e40 100644
--- a/core/src/core/block.rs
+++ b/core/src/core/block.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ use global;
 use keychain;
 
 /// Errors thrown by Block validation
-#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq)]
 pub enum Error {
 	/// The sum of output minus input commitments does not match the sum of
 	/// kernel commitments
diff --git a/core/src/core/pmmr.rs b/core/src/core/pmmr.rs
index 34265fb7..2ee40a9d 100644
--- a/core/src/core/pmmr.rs
+++ b/core/src/core/pmmr.rs
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ use std::ops::{self, Deref};
 
 use core::hash::{Hash, Hashed};
 use ser::{self, Readable, Reader, Writeable, Writer};
+use util::LOGGER;
 
 /// Trait for an element of the tree that has a well-defined sum and hash that
 /// the tree can sum over
@@ -355,25 +356,31 @@ where
 		self.last_pos
 	}
 
-	/// Debugging utility to print information about the MMRs.
-	pub fn dump(&self) {
+	/// Debugging utility to print information about the MMRs. Short version
+  /// only prints the last 8 nodes.
+	pub fn dump(&self, short: bool) {
 		let sz = self.unpruned_size();
-		if sz > 25 {
+		if sz > 600 {
 			return;
 		}
-		println!("UXTO set, size: {}", sz);
-		for n in 0..sz {
-			print!("{:>8} ", n + 1);
-		}
-		println!("");
-		for n in 1..(sz + 1) {
-			let ohs = self.get(n);
-			match ohs {
-				Some(hs) => print!("{} ", hs.hash),
-				None => print!("{:>8} ", "??"),
-			}
-		}
-		println!("");
+    let start = if short && sz > 7 { sz/8 - 1 } else { 0 };
+    for n in start..(sz/8+1) {
+      let mut idx = "".to_owned();
+      let mut hashes = "".to_owned();
+      for m in (n*8)..(n+1)*8 {
+        if m >= sz {
+          break;
+        }
+        idx.push_str(&format!("{:>8} ", m + 1));
+        let ohs = self.get(m+1);
+        match ohs {
+          Some(hs) => hashes.push_str(&format!("{} ", hs.hash)),
+          None => hashes.push_str(&format!("{:>8} ", "??")),
+        }
+      }
+      debug!(LOGGER, "{}", idx);
+      debug!(LOGGER, "{}", hashes);
+    }
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/grin/src/adapters.rs b/grin/src/adapters.rs
index a6eaff88..00dc753f 100644
--- a/grin/src/adapters.rs
+++ b/grin/src/adapters.rs
@@ -68,13 +68,17 @@ impl NetAdapter for NetToChainAdapter {
 		// pushing the new block through the chain pipeline
 		let res = self.chain.process_block(b, self.chain_opts());
 
-		if let Err(e) = res {
+		if let &Err(ref e) = &res {
 			debug!(LOGGER, "Block {} refused by chain: {:?}", bhash, e);
-		}
-
-		if self.syncing() {
-			self.syncer.borrow().block_received(bhash);
-		}
+    }
+    
+    if self.syncing() {
+      match res {
+        Ok(_) => self.syncer.borrow().block_received(bhash),
+        Err(chain::Error::Unfit(_)) => self.syncer.borrow().block_received(bhash),
+        Err(_) => {},
+      }
+    }
 	}
 
 	fn headers_received(&self, bhs: Vec<core::BlockHeader>) {
@@ -95,11 +99,12 @@ impl NetAdapter for NetToChainAdapter {
 						s
 					);
 				}
-				Err(chain::Error::StoreErr(e)) => {
+				Err(chain::Error::StoreErr(e, explanation)) => {
 					error!(
 						LOGGER,
-						"Store error processing block header {}: {:?}",
+						"Store error processing block header {}: in {} {:?}",
 						bh.hash(),
+            explanation,
 						e
 					);
 					return;
@@ -130,7 +135,7 @@ impl NetAdapter for NetToChainAdapter {
 		let known = self.chain.get_block_header(&locator[0]);
 		let header = match known {
 			Ok(header) => header,
-			Err(chain::Error::StoreErr(store::Error::NotFoundErr)) => {
+			Err(chain::Error::StoreErr(store::Error::NotFoundErr, _)) => {
 				return self.locate_headers(locator[1..].to_vec());
 			}
 			Err(e) => {
@@ -146,7 +151,7 @@ impl NetAdapter for NetToChainAdapter {
 			let header = self.chain.get_header_by_height(h);
 			match header {
 				Ok(head) => headers.push(head),
-				Err(chain::Error::StoreErr(store::Error::NotFoundErr)) => break,
+				Err(chain::Error::StoreErr(store::Error::NotFoundErr, _)) => break,
 				Err(e) => {
 					error!(LOGGER, "Could not build header locator: {:?}", e);
 					return vec![];
diff --git a/grin/src/sync.rs b/grin/src/sync.rs
index ef8d7e11..9ce9a721 100644
--- a/grin/src/sync.rs
+++ b/grin/src/sync.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 /// How many block bodies to download in parallel
 const MAX_BODY_DOWNLOADS: usize = 8;
 
+use std::ops::{Deref, DerefMut};
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 use std::thread;
 use std::time::{Instant, Duration};
@@ -30,6 +31,16 @@ use p2p;
 use types::Error;
 use util::LOGGER;
 
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct BlockDownload {
+  hash: Hash,
+  start_time: Instant,
+  retries: u8,
+}
+
+/// Manages syncing the local chain with other peers. Needs both a head chain
+/// and a full block chain to operate. First tries to advance the header
+/// chain as much as possible, then downloads the full blocks by batches.
 pub struct Syncer {
 	chain: Arc<chain::Chain>,
 	p2p: Arc<p2p::Server>,
@@ -37,7 +48,7 @@ pub struct Syncer {
 	sync: Mutex<bool>,
 	last_header_req: Mutex<Instant>,
 	blocks_to_download: Mutex<Vec<Hash>>,
-	blocks_downloading: Mutex<Vec<(Hash, Instant)>>,
+	blocks_downloading: Mutex<Vec<BlockDownload>>,
 }
 
 impl Syncer {
@@ -82,6 +93,7 @@ impl Syncer {
 			let tip = self.chain.get_header_head()?;
 			// TODO do something better (like trying to get more) if we lose peers
 			let peer = self.p2p.most_work_peer().unwrap();
+      debug!(LOGGER, "Sync: peer {} vs us {}", peer.info.total_difficulty, tip.total_difficulty);
 
 			let more_headers = peer.info.total_difficulty > tip.total_difficulty;
 			let more_bodies = {
@@ -92,7 +104,7 @@ impl Syncer {
 
 			{
 				let last_header_req = self.last_header_req.lock().unwrap().clone();
-				if more_headers && (Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(2) > last_header_req) {
+				if more_headers || (Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(30) > last_header_req) {
 					self.request_headers()?;
 				}
 			}
@@ -147,46 +159,48 @@ impl Syncer {
 		let mut blocks_to_download = self.blocks_to_download.lock().unwrap();
 		let mut blocks_downloading = self.blocks_downloading.lock().unwrap();
 
-		// clean up potentially dead downloads
-		let twenty_sec_ago = Instant::now() - Duration::from_secs(20);
-		let too_old_pos = (0..blocks_downloading.len())
-			.filter(|p| blocks_downloading[*p].1 < twenty_sec_ago)
-			.collect::<Vec<_>>();
-		let mut offs = 0;
-		for too_old in too_old_pos {
-			let block_h = blocks_downloading.remove(too_old - offs);
-			debug!(
-				LOGGER,
-				"Download request expired for {}, will re-issue.",
-				block_h.0
-			);
-			blocks_to_download.push(block_h.0);
-			offs += 1;
-		}
+    // retry blocks not downloading
+    let now = Instant::now();
+    for mut download in blocks_downloading.deref_mut() {
+      let elapsed = (now - download.start_time).as_secs();
+      if download.retries >= 8 {
+        panic!("Failed to download required block {}", download.hash);
+      }
+      if download.retries < (elapsed / 5) as u8 {
+        debug!(LOGGER, "Retry {} on block {}", download.retries, download.hash);
+        self.request_block(download.hash);
+        download.retries += 1;
+      }
+    }
 
 		// consume hashes from blocks to download, place them in downloading and
 		// request them from the network
+    let mut count = 0;
 		while blocks_to_download.len() > 0 && blocks_downloading.len() < MAX_BODY_DOWNLOADS {
 			let h = blocks_to_download.pop().unwrap();
-			let peer = self.p2p.random_peer().unwrap();
-			let send_result = peer.send_block_request(h);
-			if let Err(e) = send_result {
-				debug!(LOGGER, "Error requesting block: {:?}", e);
-			}
-			blocks_downloading.push((h, Instant::now()));
-		}
-		debug!(
-			LOGGER,
-			"Requesting full blocks to download, total left: {}.",
-			blocks_to_download.len()
-		);
+      self.request_block(h);
+      count += 1;
+			blocks_downloading.push(
+        BlockDownload {
+          hash: h,
+          start_time: Instant::now(),
+          retries: 0
+        });
+ 		}
+ 		debug!(
+ 			LOGGER,
+			"Requested {} full blocks to download, total left: {}. Current list: {:?}.",
+      count,
+			blocks_to_download.len(),
+      blocks_downloading.deref(),
+			);
 	}
 
 	/// We added a block, clean up the downloading structure
 	pub fn block_received(&self, bh: Hash) {
 		// just clean up the downloading list
 		let mut bds = self.blocks_downloading.lock().unwrap();
-		bds.iter().position(|&h| h.0 == bh).map(|n| bds.remove(n));
+		bds.iter().position(|ref h| h.hash == bh).map(|n| bds.remove(n));
 	}
 
 	/// Request some block headers from a peer to advance us
@@ -243,6 +257,7 @@ impl Syncer {
 			})
 			.collect::<Vec<_>>();
 		heights.append(&mut tail);
+    debug!(LOGGER, "Loc heights: {:?}", heights);
 
 		// Iteratively travel the header chain back from our head and retain the
 		// headers at the wanted heights.
@@ -259,4 +274,14 @@ impl Syncer {
 		}
 		Ok(locator)
 	}
+
+  /// Pick a random peer and ask for a block by hash
+  fn request_block(&self, h: Hash) {
+    let peer = self.p2p.random_peer().unwrap();
+    let send_result = peer.send_block_request(h);
+    if let Err(e) = send_result {
+      debug!(LOGGER, "Error requesting block: {:?}", e);
+    }
+  }
+
 }
diff --git a/grin/src/types.rs b/grin/src/types.rs
index 5e32f340..966ad7e6 100644
--- a/grin/src/types.rs
+++ b/grin/src/types.rs
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ pub enum Seeding {
 	List,
 	/// Automatically download a text file with a list of server addresses
 	WebStatic,
+	/// Mostly for tests, where connections are initiated programmatically
+	Programmatic,
 }
 
 /// Full server configuration, aggregating configurations required for the
diff --git a/grin/tests/simulnet.rs b/grin/tests/simulnet.rs
index 008d1ea0..914df917 100644
--- a/grin/tests/simulnet.rs
+++ b/grin/tests/simulnet.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ extern crate grin_chain as chain;
 extern crate grin_api as api;
 extern crate grin_wallet as wallet;
 extern crate grin_pow as pow;
+extern crate grin_util as util;
 extern crate secp256k1zkp as secp;
 
 extern crate futures;
@@ -250,13 +251,11 @@ fn a_simulate_block_propagation() {
 	}));
 }
 
-
-
-
 /// Creates 2 different disconnected servers, mine a few blocks on one, connect
 /// them and check that the 2nd gets all the blocks
 #[test]
 fn simulate_full_sync() {
+	util::init_test_logger();
 	global::set_mining_mode(MiningParameterMode::AutomatedTesting);
 
 	let test_name_dir = "grin-sync";
@@ -283,17 +282,18 @@ fn simulate_full_sync() {
 	// instantiates 2 servers on different ports
 	let mut servers = vec![];
 	for n in 0..2 {
-		let s = grin::Server::future(
-			grin::ServerConfig {
-				db_root: format!("target/{}/grin-sync-{}", test_name_dir, n),
-				p2p_config: Some(p2p::P2PConfig {
-					port: 11000 + n,
-					..p2p::P2PConfig::default()
-				}),
-				..Default::default()
-			},
-			&handle,
-		).unwrap();
+		let config = grin::ServerConfig {
+			db_root: format!("target/{}/grin-sync-{}", test_name_dir, n),
+			p2p_config: Some(p2p::P2PConfig {
+				port: 11000 + n,
+				..p2p::P2PConfig::default()
+			}),
+			..Default::default()
+		};
+		if n == 1 {
+			config.seeding_type = grin::Seeding::Programmatic;
+		}
+		let s = grin::Server::future(config, &handle).unwrap();
 		servers.push(s);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/bin/grin.rs b/src/bin/grin.rs
index e45ea919..aa1912f7 100644
--- a/src/bin/grin.rs
+++ b/src/bin/grin.rs
@@ -392,11 +392,12 @@ fn wallet_command(wallet_args: &ArgMatches) {
 				.expect("Amount to send required")
 				.parse()
 				.expect("Could not parse amount as a whole number.");
-			let minimum_confirmations: u64 = send_args
-				.value_of("minimum_confirmations")
-				.unwrap_or("1")
-				.parse()
-				.expect("Could not parse minimum_confirmations as a whole number.");
+			let minimum_confirmations: u64 =
+				send_args
+					.value_of("minimum_confirmations")
+					.unwrap_or("1")
+					.parse()
+					.expect("Could not parse minimum_confirmations as a whole number.");
 			let mut dest = "stdout";
 			if let Some(d) = send_args.value_of("dest") {
 				dest = d;
@@ -406,7 +407,7 @@ fn wallet_command(wallet_args: &ArgMatches) {
 				&keychain,
 				amount,
 				minimum_confirmations,
-				dest.to_string()
+				dest.to_string(),
 			).unwrap();
 		}
 		("burn", Some(send_args)) => {
@@ -415,17 +416,14 @@ fn wallet_command(wallet_args: &ArgMatches) {
 				.expect("Amount to burn required")
 				.parse()
 				.expect("Could not parse amount as a whole number.");
-			let minimum_confirmations: u64 = send_args
-				.value_of("minimum_confirmations")
-				.unwrap_or("1")
-				.parse()
-				.expect("Could not parse minimum_confirmations as a whole number.");
-			wallet::issue_burn_tx(
-				&wallet_config,
-				&keychain,
-				amount,
-				minimum_confirmations,
-			).unwrap();
+			let minimum_confirmations: u64 =
+				send_args
+					.value_of("minimum_confirmations")
+					.unwrap_or("1")
+					.parse()
+					.expect("Could not parse minimum_confirmations as a whole number.");
+			wallet::issue_burn_tx(&wallet_config, &keychain, amount, minimum_confirmations)
+				.unwrap();
 		}
 		("info", Some(_)) => {
 			wallet::show_info(&wallet_config, &keychain);