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An Argos Pro Action 1. Cost about £30. Long out of production. That one is about 15 years old. Has stood up to storm force winds and heavy rain and kept me dry. Still going strong after being used for around 120 nights touring in the USA. Only downside is weight at around 2kg. But it sets up fast and I am confident it will stand up to almost anything. Fits on top of my back rack. Great headroom. At 6ft 3 I have around a foot and a half spare either end.
It was a rip off of an American design the Sierra Designs Lightyear. THe Lightyear was about 500g lighter by using thinner materials. Not sure the same design in thinner materials would have stood up to the use this tent has had. THe LIghtyear also had the flaw many American tents have that the flyshhet doesn't get close enough to the ground to stop wind driven rain getting underneath.
PA1 was a magnificent tent, Great to see one still in use.
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Lockdowns are unlikely to be needed again as Britain learns to treat coronavirus like flu, Prof Chris Whitty has said.
The chief medical officer said that up to 25,000 people die in a bad flu year without anyone noticing and that accepting some Covid deaths would be the price of keeping schools and business open and allowing people to live a "whole life".
Hopefully this. Get back to normal life.
Well the Eldest had his day back at school on Tuesday and now has to go for a test as one of his friends in his class/bubble has tested positive.
We went for a family ride at Dunkeld today. In line with @matt_outandabout 's prediction, I was fully expecting mobbed. Parking out of the town was OK, saw one person on the riverside path, the Hermitage was the Hermitage. A few more people up up Rumbling Bridge, but may spaces in the carpark there. Saw a couple walking their dog on the way to the Inchewan Burn, the quite a few bikers on the trails there. The town was very quiet, and the park - ice creams were consumed - was quiet too. Then the NCR path north was probably less busy than normal. An absolutely cracking day. I have caught the sun and the kids are fast asleep.
Yep was at Culross yesterday with the kids for a cycle and play, it's just within our +5miles boundary. It was a cracking day - firth was like a millpond and clear blue skies. We were there 10ish and it was pretty relaxed really, by mid afternoon it was busy but nothing manic. Culross is a a mega honey pot so quite encouraging really.
Everyone we encountered seemed pretty happy - we had folk falling over themselves at every gate to help us through with the trailer. The good weather and lockdown easing definitely having an effect.
Metalheart and I were remarking that it was a lot less busy around Rothiemurchus than we'd expected. We included a lap of Loch an Eilein just for a laugh, expecting mayhem but saw only a handful of folk. The car parks were pretty quiet too.
We did pass around 30 bikes lain in the heather beside the Eanaich track - looks like a big group were up on the Braeriach plateau or climbing. Some tents at Loch Eanaich too.
We are not supposed to be leaving our local area or our LA for a few weeks yet. I guess most folk are obeying the rules
We did pass around 30 bikes lain in the heather beside the Eanaich track
Inverness backcountry snowsports club.
Aha, cheers. I think the tents were part of that group too.
I wasn't there but I saw it on their FB page. The steep lines into Garbh Coire Mor etc must be in pretty good nick just now provided they'd softened up.
Here's a couple of theories....
- all of us are a bit nervous and therefore being cautious.
- perhaps many will remain local or just the honeypot / saw it on Intsa locations, out of lack of confidence or knowledge.
The hill was quiet yesterday, yet the carparks on Lubnaig were crowded. Including the closed main one with the building, about 50 cars parked on the main A86 at the entrance.
The car parks at Aboyne were quiet.
I think that all the people we have been seeing out in the hills, who wouldn’t normally be there, have reverted to type and spent the weekend in the local park or their mates back garden for a BBQ.
Tarfside/loch lee was rammed yesterday.
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matt_outandabout
Full MemberHere’s a couple of theories….
– all of us are a bit nervous and therefore being cautious.
– perhaps many will remain local or just the honeypot / saw it on Intsa locations, out of lack of confidence or knowledge.
My Strava tells a different story.... I am becoming a grumpy old man as I really can’t see why folks can’t just keep a lid on it for another 3 weeks 😟. I’m even subconsciously thinking of various folks I normally respect as fuds and fannies...
I suspect the issue is my perception, rather than them having become fuds and fannies...
I was riding at Golfie for the first time since November yesterday and had a similar experience to posts above. Went expecting it to be rammed, particularly as good weather was forecast, but only saw 20 or so people all day. Innerleithen trailhead car park had about 5 cars at 8.30am when I arrived and maybe 20 or so at 2.00pm.
I suspect the issue is my perception, rather than them having become fuds and fannies…
And I'm keeping in perspective that my further wanderings the last two weekends are better than the Muppets gathering in urban parks at the end of thier road for a piss up...
I'm also keeping in sight that outdoors, even in a group cycling, is relatively safe and benefits in so many other ways.
Yes it's self justification. But it's also sensible.
matt, yes, it’s self justification, and I can see the argument that it’s sensible.
However it’s against the guidance and just because a lot have given up on doing as they are asked, does that make it right ?
I honestly don’t know TBH.
I have strayed outwith my LA, though not on the bike, a few times in the last year. I have been to Glasgow city centre 5 times since March 2020. I’d normally be there 3 days a week (it’s where my closest office is) and I think 4 of those trips were to a bike shop.
I think we are all jaded with the whole thing now.
I have also travelled to Glasgow the last 2 Saturdays as our kids club have restarted coaching and it has been wonderful to get back to it. As a coach that is permitted travel mind you !
I’m even subconsciously thinking of various folks I normally respect as fuds and fannies…
And I'm thinking I might be in that group, for I have transgressed.
TBH, my small transgressions are what have kept me sane and stopped me from becoming an embittered curtain-twitcher. Not being completely without sin, I can't really sit in judgement upon others.
+1 scotroutes.
I'm now focused on both staying away from others as long as we can and getting out into the hills.
We're home shopping and supermarket delivery for the foreseeable, we're likely not see family until later in the summer, work isn't rushing back for either of us etc.
I've still mountains and glens to visit in Stirling, now I can travel a bit further.
Colin, no, I hadn’t thought that for a moment. Lots of folks from this area putting bikes in cars and driving 20 plus miles and then smashing out 70 mile Aberfoyle gravel loops and the like, then posting them all over Insta and Strava, that kinda stuff.
We’ve all made small transgressions, and as you say, that’s helped keep us sane, but others continue to rip it and be proud to do so. Just people I guess !
Reading the angst here of those trying to do the right thing whilst staying sane is interesting.
To the Highland dwellers....where is your rule 1 activity threshold getting you? When your local authority is 24% larger than Wales (the official unit of measurement for all things area) staying 'local' is a term open to copious interpretations. I drove 50 mins to meet a friend for a swim yesterday and barely moved a 5th of the way across the LA - dick move? Didn't feel like it - but not really local is it? An outdoor centre in the Cairngorms was given official permission to take bookings for equipment hire from those with Highland addresses less than a 40mile drive away - and that was from 19th March before we were allowed to 'stay local'.
Personally, I've not been outside the Strath for leisure purposes since December. I've had two trips to Inverness and one to Invergordon (medical purposes).
Now that we've had the first relaxation of the rules, I'll likely take advantage of the size of the LA (10,000 sq miles) and head a bit further afield. However, given that hotels etc aren't open I'm a bit wary of doing any overnighters that aren't "proper" wild camping (away from roads).
FWIW if you click through the actual ScotGov site it still says that we shouldn't be travelling any further for leisure than we need to do so safely. That's obviously being widely ignored and one of the reasons now will be the very mixed message we are getting.
Of course, as of 26th it's free rein.
I've already been branded a tit for travelling 27 miles to the tweed valley 4 times in the last 4 weeks ,had behaved before hand. Stay local really is so vague , being a train driver and travelling up and down the country there is a marked difference in the last two weeks. Thousands in the meadows and running battles later on with kids bottling each other. I genuinely think It would cause less hassle to open things up now instead of waiting 3 weeks. If things were open locally you wouldn't have the build up people in big parks etc and people would stay in their local beer gardens etc.
As for the borders It really hasn't been that busy , Glentress was dead today as was thornielee last week.
To the Highland dwellers….where is your rule 1 activity threshold getting you? When your local authority is 24% larger than Wales (the official unit of measurement for all things area) staying ‘local’ is a term open to copious interpretations.
The distance thing is a total red herring, it's what you do or don't do at the end of your journey that's key. During the stay at home phase I travelled as far as 40 miles or so for activities provided they weren't going to take me through distant settlements or into contact with other people as that could potentially carry a transmission risk or upset locals in other areas. So I drove from Inverness to the Fannichs to ski for example but decided not to go to Stac Pollaidh to get photos for a book project as that would mean passing through Ullapool.
Now the stay at home rule has been lifted I'm considering the whole of the Highlands to be fair game but I will continue to be careful and discreet.
Genuinely think many, many people think lockdown is completely over.
Facebook and strava feeds full of people deciding the rules dont count for them anymore and travelling well out of LA area to mtb. Fav was a falkirk guy in 2 weeks posting about his trips to Aberfoyle, Stirling and then Golfie and wondering why a couple of people gave him jip..
Its 3 weeks. Come on guys just wait it out.
thinking of various folks I normally respect as fuds and fannies…
I've removed a few people from my insta, facebook and strava feed because they are breaking the rules and act like ****s when it gets pointed out to them. It really is pretty easy to stay in your LA.
First lockdown I was living in a village on my own and there were no "bubbles" so I didn't see my girlfriend who lives in Fort William 20 odd miles away. As soon as restrictions were eased I started cycling anything up to 40 mile round-trip. Not into any town or village though. Then I got my own place in Fort William just about as soon as that was possible
Second lockdown was markedly different. For one thing "bubbles" now existed and I was able to visit my girlfriend. Secondly I was now living in a place with a much higher prevalence of covid and obviously many more people around. Consequently I now presented a much higher risk of spreading the virus so restricted myself to within 10 miles of Fort William
Stay local really is so vague
Probably why the Scottish Government don’t use that phrase and it’s “remain within your own local authority area” which the legislation is based on.
For clarity
Exercise can start and finish at a place in your local authority area (or up to 5 miles from the boundary of your local authority area), but you should travel no further than you need to reach a safe, non-crowded place to exercise in a physically distanced way. The number of periods of exercise is not limited.
That's the guidance as updated on 2nd April. It's not really changed, despite the change from "Stay ay Home", to "Stay Local".
People across Scotland can make non-essential journeys in their local authority area from Friday 2 April when a requirement to Stay Local will replace the Stay at Home rule.
https://www.gov.scot/news/stay-local-from-2-april/
I'm going with the stay in your LA area and try not to break rule #1 guidelines.
Sure, that's my thoughts too. Just pointing out what the guidelines currently are. It does seem odd that we're due to suddenly jump to complete inter-LA travel in 3 weeks. However. I guess there's still the possibility that some LAs will have high infection rates at that point and that some sort of tiering will be required. Mind you, I reckon that would be completely ignored.
Stay local really is so vague
Because 10 miles in Glasgow is a long way.
10 miles in Argyll or Highlands doesn't even get you to the shop for food in some places.
We've an odd one in Stirling - 95k live in the Stirling area, but 65k of them live within the 10 mile radius of the Castle. We've conciously been riding and walking away from that 'crowded' south east corner of the region for the last few weeks.
Its again back to:
!) legalistic strict compliance with the rules
2) Attempting to stick with the spirit of the rules
3) sensible risk assessment for individual activities
4) Not giving a stuff
I am pretty fed up with folk I know not obeying the rules. However I have softened my views on folk doing activities that really are very little risk. I think many of us are struggling with the restrictions - I know I am but I still follow the rules.
The "everyone breaking the rules so I can" does not wash tho. Two wrongs do not make a right
However I have softened my views on folk doing activities that really are very little risk
I have a vision of you standing on a balcony issuing some sort of Pope style blessing to a group of cyclists and walkers.
That’s the guidance as updated on 2nd April. It’s not really changed, despite the change from “Stay ay Home”, to “Stay Local”.
I think this is a big part of the problem. Legally the restrictions on travel and exercise are exactly the same as they were before but are being presented as giving people more freedom.
You guys are missing a trick.
Friend from Clacks has been in Aviemore the last two weekends: Permitted to travel for U18 organised outdoor sport while his son ski tours.
So - who wants to organise an U18 get-together: anywhere in the country?
Take your pick.
#RippingThePiss.
Oh, there are loads of non-residents around Aviemore. Which is why I respond to any criticism of my (IMHO low risk) transgressions with a shrug.
I've broken/bent the rules a couple of times in the last week. In both cases I've done it for mental health reasons. On Tuesday I went to Inners for the first time since things were tightened up. A friend has been off work for 6 weeks due to stress so I arranged to meet him for evening ride, it's a 30 min drive for me, much less for him. Yesterday we met up with my parents, drove 30 mins again to meet somewhere quiet, my mum was very nervous about it, I had to reassure her that she wouldn't be arrested driving over Soutra. She has been getting very negative recently, worrying about everything and really missing her grandchildren who are growing up quickly in the last year. I think most of us are trying hard to be pretty responsible but it's hard work. Unless you're a grumpy old introvert but even I long for a change of scene and a hug from my mum.
there are loads of non-residents around Aviemore.
^^ where are they all staying you reckon ? Presumably all holiday accommodation and the Premier Inn etc still closed ? Camping or motor homes maybe I wonder.
This is the first Easter we’ve been at home in 20 years and have worked out that 16 of them have been in Aviemore ! Hoping to be up in October but not rushing to book anything...
Loads of second homes Iain. Some occupied by owners, some "lent" to non-owners. There's a handful of campervans/motorhomes that have been here all year. I count these as residents. Their numbers have increased this past couple of weeks. A few tents dotted around at the moment too.
Premier Inn has been open for workers. Some rented accommodation too.
Aha, yes, I guess the second home thing is a temptation that must be hard to resist, especially during the school holiday period.
Bet the campers are feeling the cold 🤪
There’s a handful of campervans/motorhomes that have been here all year.
I clocked the white one with the trailer and the fatbike on the back, they've been kicking around all winter. Must have been a pretty memorable time with everything being so quiet and it being so cold and snowy. Wonder what their story is? Came for outdoor work over the winter and it fell through or just furloughed from somewhere and decided to make the most of it maybe?
You guys are missing a trick.
Friend from Clacks has been in Aviemore the last two weekends: Permitted to travel for U18 organised outdoor sport while his son ski tours.
So – who wants to organise an U18 get-together: anywhere in the country?
Take your pick.
#RippingThePiss.
The governing body should have some specific rules that need to be followed. It’s only “organised activity” if it’s being run under their rules. I’ve not read anything for skiing but the general approach in other sports is parents can bring children but are expected to stay in cars. Mixing children between clubs is generally not permitted outside their own LA area etc. It’s one of those things where it’s not necessarily logical, and someone tried to create some rules sat in a meeting room forgetting the real world.
Just a bit of a hobo (not in a derogatory sense). Moved up with his dog well before lockdown. In fact I think it's his second full winter. He had joined Highlife so was using the facilities there occasionally, no idea how he has handled it being closed. He did tell me he'd had 7 visits from the police during lockdown 1 and had to explain to them that the van was his home. I was frankly amazed. I didn't even know we had 7 local polis.
didn’t even know we had 7 local polis.
Maybe just one with a short memory. 🙂
We're off to Mull tomorrow (weather permitting) - have to finalise some details with the builder for our house build but we're literally going to drive there, meet him at the site and then turn around to come home. Last time we were there was November and it was just a concrete slab.
Looks like overnight camping trips now legal. Assuming the trip starts from within 5 miles of local authority area.
@irc - thanks. I've got a Sierra Designs Lightyear in the loft. Not used it for >10 years.
It got used a lot around 2003-6 including walking the GR20. I must get it out and use it again
The Argos version is a bit heavy for backpacking but superb for bike touring where a bit of weight doesn't matter so much. Mine is slightly adapted with 3 extra guylines on the fly. Like that it really is bombproof in windy conditions.
Somewhere in the midwest.
Nice camp spot!!
You're correct about the inner fly mesh being too low in the Lightyear. I've had every weather blow in under the flysheet. A mini sandstorm on a Spanish beach was probably the worst.. urrgh!!
I was out and about Fri and Sun to and from St Andrews taking my mum to hospital, now that roads are busier letting her drive while blind is a bit more risky .... loads of campers and motorhomes on the roads and around St Andrews itself.
Meanwhile both my closest neighbours have family visiting for Easter, one lot driven from Oxford, the other from Manchester way. Both sets there Fri-Mon.
I thought the border was still "closed" for these trips?
Correct.
I thought the border was still “closed” for these trips?
Sturgeons not doing a very good job then, maybe she needs to build a wall.
Yeh, annoying for those of us desperate to see family south of the border, but not doing due to the restrictions.
And still no update on travel to/from the islands.
Nope 🙄
Nope, looks like we have to wait until the 20th for more info...
Will be watching with interest. Last year’s June trip to Tiree was cancelled so moved the booking to this June. Really hoping it goes ahead, not sure how the locals will view visitors, I suspect half with nervousness and half with relief given the island economy is almost entirely reliant on tourists like me.
Drove over to Mull today for a progress meeting with our builder on our house build. Was quite noticeable the relative lack of traffic - virtually all was tradesmen / locals and nothing that you'd assume 'tourist' traffic. Maybe the snow forecast put them off? I did have one 'sideways' moment at Laggan but it got a lot better during the day. No one parked at Creag Meghaidh either.
She said... "I mentioned earlier on that the next scheduled briefing that I will give here given that we are in a pre election period will be Tuesday 20 April. If there are any unforeseen developments there may be a briefing before that, but the next scheduled one will be 20 April.
At that point I hope – that if the virus is still under control – that I will confirm the further reopening that is due to take place on 26 April. And at that point I hope also to give more detail of what we think will be possible in the middle of May and afterwards to try to continue where we can accelerate that journey back to much greater normality."
Not sure whether that means no information will be given before then? who knows
Thanks
Reading between the lines I'd call that "we know that if we announce the detail of the changes now, people'll just start doing it so we're waiting til the 20th so that it's less of a bollocks"
We carried 23 hill walkers to Arran today who came from outwith Ayrshire, they were met by the Police in Brodick and refused permission to get off the boat.. Some folk just don't get it .
Why were they allowed on the boat then if it was known?
I know Northlink were asking if you had an essential reason for travel previously (a few questions to answer over the phone) as I had to book near the end of lockdown 1 for a trip to Aberdeen,but not sure if they are currently screening bookings.
The only other time I know of a similar turn around was in Orkney in a lockdown 1 when police met the ferry in Stromness to turn back a bunch of stock takers employed by Tesco to do an overnight stock take and audit. Turns out they were actually cleared for the travel, but due to the 'local outrage' Tesco decided to send them back to the mainland anyway.
Why were they allowed on the boat then if it was known?
If you're a North Ayrshire resident, you're perfectly entitled to head over to Arran for the day.
I suspect the mainland police aren't that aware it have it as a priority. I suspect there's a notice when you book or board explaining guidance that's being ignored.
The officer on the island however is probably pretty protective of thier community. Easy to do - the officer just stands at the ferry ramp and speaks to passengers.
Enforcing an immediate return also wastes 'offenders' time, a good deterrent to others.
The walkers have to give details when they book, they were advised not to travel as they lived outside North Ayrshire but they insisted that they were going. Calmac cannot deny them tickets but alerted Police in Brodick who then returned them to the mainland.
Happy that their time was wasted and a warning to others. Just seems a waste of staff time too, but money for calmac.
Odd that calmac can't deny bookings, but Northlink could (can?).
Seems some North Ayrshire residents also turned back.
Isle of Arran SNP
1tSlp8romnshomredn ·
FERRY TRAVEL TO ARRAN IS PERMITTED FOR NORTH AYRSHIRE RESIDENTS
Following numerous emails and Facebook contacts from residents of North Ayrshire who had been turned around at Brodick by Police Scotland after travelling from Ardrossan to Arran, Kenneth contacted the Locality Police Inspector for Three Towns, West Kilbride, Arran and North Coast & Cumbraes.
The inspector confirmed that North Ayrshire residents may legally travel to Arran for non-essential reasons. She also expressed disappointment that some North Ayrshire residents had been prevented from disembarking at Brodick, despite the Scottish Government’s Stay at Home rule having been replaced by a Stay Local requirement from Friday 02 April.
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please email kenneth4CN@yahoo.com and Kenneth will take them directly to Police Scotland.
ENDS
Until very recently our inter-island ferries were also restricted to essential use, which is above Scot Govs stated tier 3 guidance.
They were asking your reason for travel when booking, and anecdotally people were turned back as 'they'd already been to Tesco twice that week' sort of thing.
Odd that calmac can’t deny bookings, but Northlink could (can?).
Of course they can deny bookings - they don’t want to be seen as the arbiters of who can/can’t travel so have elected not to - but they can refuse travel if they wish to. They do it voluntarily with camper vans on the Tiree ferry every year (no proof you have an official pitch = no ferry) and were at least partially policing the travel for the outer islands in earlier stages of covid.
If the cops in Brodick refused people who were entitled to travel within their own LA area this week I expect they will be getting a phone call from above for some “retraining”. Police Scotland have gone out of their way to make sure they weren’t stepping over the mark - and if a councillor is upset, I dare say John Scott QC’s inbox has some mail!
Predictions then for the further information on the 20th for Island travel?
(as I have said, our holiday is booked on Harris & Lewis first week of July)
I predict:
- Locals get priority booking and residents can travel freely.
- no accommodation booking (incl. campsite), no travel.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-56661199
Good to see the great spirit of I'll do what i want is alive and kicking ! As per my previous post, turns out next door have not just one set of rellies staying, yes they have 3, yep 3 entirely separate sets of rellies all staying in the house - two from England and one from Scotland. Residents work for the NHS as well and have young kids. Amazing. Nobody gives a fig.
Calmac cannot deny them tickets but alerted Police in Brodick who then returned them to the mainland.
Well they've been doing exactly that on the Cumbrae ferry. Seems more like the folk in Ardrossan just can't be ****ed (I'm not saying they are necessarily at fault, the public are the worst).
/blockquote>
Should have left him there for a few nights before picking him up, ha ha!
I wouldn’t be surprised that the ‘missing’ paddle was somehow assisted on it’s departure - otherwise a numbtie for not making sure it was secure. Article doesn’t make it clear if her was relieved of some of his pounds before departure?