Forum menu
I have worked in IT for over 25 years and I have worked for a few ar$eholes in my time and in some very toxic environments.
I started doing two days a week for a big charity and the people I work with are great and the clients are always so pleased to see me and very grateful for my work/effort.
Its made a huge difference to my overall mood and wellbeing. Less money but more happiness.
Son#2 and partner have a new dog,this is his first puppy.
Spoke to him last night and he sounds like a tired new parent,this made me 😊
Sorry no photos,but she's a bit like this with short curly hair.
Son#1 is playing so much Country and Western music around the house that I feel all those years of making him listen to Punk and Indie tunes may have been wasted. On the plus side I now find myself thinking more and more about getting a dog and a pickup truck with a gun rack 🤣🤣🙃
Cute pup!
It's sunny, it's Friday and we're visiting the in-laws this weekend for the first time in 2 years
Forecast is looking good. Our bikes are off to the caravan for summer (spare bikes).
Bought all the Techies Steak Bridies on rolls and lots of cake.
They were in an excellent Friday mood so the banter was top class 👍🤣
I’m sat in the garden wearing shorts and a T-shirt whilst reading my Uni work. Bumble bees are busy in the flowers around me, cats purring happily. Beers chilling in the fridge.
I will spend this afternoon checking over the "summer" road bike ahead of its first ride of the year tomorrow.
I will spend this afternoon checking over the “summer” road bike ahead of its first ride of the year tomorrow.
Mine is still in the attic,but it is a great and wonderful feeling,to know that (at the end of the month) all I have to do is pump up the tyres and it's ready to go. Thanks for reminding me 🙂
Spent the morning moving old hardwood railway sleepers and mahoosive kerbstones in the sunshine with my (only) mate. Talked nonsense and laughed at nonsense and felt better. An escape from a rubbish world. One positive thing a day can get you through.
A bit of dark humour- had to pick my Dad off the kitchen floor this morning, all good. Then went to see him again at 12.30. He needed the toilet so I helped him to the stairlift got him sorted and he agreed to shout when ready to come down. Bit later, heard a big bang and he’d fallen and ended up with his back to the door. After a bit of thinking and dredging stuff from my former job I managed to cut through the door in a way the falls team from Chesterfield Borough Council could get access (I’m capable but the restricted access needed two people). He had a cup of tea and a biscuit whilst we waited eventually we got him downstairs.
The positive bit - he enjoyed me using the hoover to get the sawdust off his clothes and particularly, out of his hair, had quite a giggle!
And that’s why your chain should always be sharp :0)
@Houns I did consider my chainsaw, big angle grinder, little angle grinder, dremel small saw thingy but went for my over 20 year old Wickes reciprocating saw. Used it in a plunge mode, long blade and short blade - after a preliminary hole so I could check what was happening inside, 1950’s panel doors aren’t that different from current doors, flimsy but complicated when someone is leaning against it! Luckily had an assistant- my wife.
I was just going to post my positive experience of the day - I’ve not had to lift my Dad off the floor today - when I got the phone call. Back now.
Positive experience of the day, donated a kneeling aid thing for gardening to a neighbour of my Dad. She was reet chuffed!
Just been for a short walk in the mountains and forests of the Tarentaise Valley. Saw and heard many birds. Lots of droppings from various creatures and foot prints in the snow.
Very uplifting.
@Bunnyhop that sounds nice, I’ve no idea where that is though. I’ve got nothing positive today, hopefully tomorrow.
Nor me directly, but just seen a homeless guy sat outside the entrance to a large supermarket.
A couple of Police officers were checking he was OK and when he'd last spoken to one of the support charities, a lady came out the supermarket and gave him a drink and a sandwich, and another guy stopped to ask if the Police were hassling him and trying to move him on. Everyone had a friendly chat and a laugh and parted on good terms.
I got into open water swimming last year. Yeah I know, so did pretty much half the country, and yes, I did buy one of those robe things too before you ask.
Anyway, it doesn't do much for my physical health as I doubt I swim more than a couple of hundred yards, but for delivering a mental boost I've never known anything like it. Swam yesterday at the Pittenweem tidal pool and came out buzzing. It's very much my new "thing".
I also checked if it was "swam" or "swum" as I got quite into pedantry as a new hobby during lockdown.
THREE MONTHS AFTER PROPER BREAKING MY WRIST I TOOK THE BIKE TO ASPLEY HEATH AND HAD A ROLL AROUND AND IT WERE MINT!
Nice, I remember the first ride after a big bang a long time ago. It was great!
Me and the dog got to the top of the mountain after work.
Ahh, the joy of dogs! In the short periods I’ve been at home today in between Dad care they’ve welcomed me back every time with waggy tails, just happy to be in my company or to be able to see me.
A beautiful Brimstone butterfly fluttered across the garden today…
A beautiful Brimstone butterfly fluttered across the garden today
Saw a few of those while I was out riding yesterday, had to Google to identify what they were.
Someone has placed a bench in the woods on a route I've not ridden in a while, which was very handy as it was right around lunchtime when I arrived there today. Beats sitting on the ground these days for mid ride snackage.
I also saw a skylark doing it's crazy high up singing thing on the same ride. I'm quite impressed I was able to identify it!
A pair of robins have nested in an empty plant pot in our back garden. It's great to watch them come and go (although there's less of that at the moment, I guess they're sitting on the eggs).
Update from last post - after an exciting transition period including wife having go to Ireland as mother had heart attack and me getting covid so delaying stuff couple of weeks - wee man came to live with us 2 1/2 weeks ago.
Stuck him on the kids ride shotgun seat this afternoon and he seems to enjoy it - the indoctrination has begun 😁
Just the wait to apply for adoption order now then can be relieved of social workers 🤞
I thought this thread was dead!
@northshoreniall Good news for you, hope it all goes well. You’re taking on more responsibility and I’ve managed to lose some, and a load of worries. Dad settled into a lovely new care home, very close. It’s expensive for him but we know he’s safe and appears to be enjoying it so far!
@wheelsonfire1 that's good, will give you peace of mind he's safe and mean your visits can be more enjoyable for all as less fraught worrying what walking in to.
Yeah, touch more responsibility 😁 who needs a peaceful life anyway.
I thought this thread was dead!
It popped into my head on the way round my ride today 🙂
My dad had planned a Hebridean holiday with my mum - who lost her cancer battle 21 years ago, the spring before they took the May holiday. My dad only told me of this just before Christmas. He turns 80 in the summer and isn't in the best of health.
I've spent the last week introducing my dad to the delights of Islay, Jura, Mull, Iona and Ulva.
The wild weather at the start of the week was memorable for the wave size at isle of Orsay/Rhinns lighthouse - and my dad has a thing for lighthouses. Jura was as wild as anywhere he's been. We had empty beaches on Islay and paddled in the sea.
We've moved to Mull - and while cold had just stunningly clear and sunny views.
Today we say 5 golden eagles, 3 white tailed eagles and 2 otters.
We've been on 12 ferries so far - from outboard motor to RoRo. He's enjoyed all of them.
Dad was all but in tears at Ardalanish, overlooking Colonsay, paps of Jura and Islay across a turquoise sea. He spent a few hours in the abbey, church and community centre on Islay (he's a man of deep faith).
Today we sat for over half an hour on a rock together looking at nothing but the view at Lochbuie while he marvelled at the sea colour again.
Ace. Just ace.
Nice one MoaB!
Never too old for some Dad time.
My little bit of positivity doesn't compare but...sun's been out so grass cut and some light hedge trimming; just topped up bird feeders and now standing outside with cold beer listening to birdsong.
Also received new photos of my american grandchildren.
Well, those last few posts have given me a lift, it’s good to hear of other peoples positive experiences. Sometimes difficult but if there’s even a tiny glimmer it’s worth reflecting on.
I tested positive for the Covid last Saturday, but just had a sore throat.
Tested negative yesterday.
Which was nice.
Managed some gardening in the sunshine today without getting too much out of breath, the same couldn’t be said for my less than 5 mile ride yesterday! Blimey, got some post Covid building up to do..
Met up with a mate for a short road ride from Castleton to Baslow and back today.
We don't meet up as often as we'd like as family commitments for both of us make arranging it tricky, but was a beautiful sunny day in stunning spring weather. Nearly got hit by two deer who shot across the road as we went from Hathersage to Grindleford, the first time he's had that happen to him on a ride.
The Super 7 breakfast at the Cafe on the Green in Baslow is rather splendid.
40 years ago this year since we met at secondary school.
@MoreCashThanDash that sounds like a great ride, thanks for the breakfast recommendation in Baslow, I’ll ride off-road from Wingerworth and give it a try!
Ah ha, had a dip this afternoon, no reflection on your visit, Stephen, then realised that I’d not looked at the special place in hell thread today.
I don’t believe in hell/heaven but also it is a very angry thread, so, I’m better off without it,
Building a wall didn’t go well though, but my dogs got me through it!
Such a good idea for a thread! Last week was a write-off for me, but today I've had energy to actually do life shit. Several rides out to the cardboard bins, one to the bottle bank, a whole pile of dead branches dealt with, and a couple of loads of washing done - and, crucially. put away - and I am knackered but feeling worthy again. And I managed to beat Leader Cliff in Pokémon Go! Best Monday in ages.
Does taking 30 years to solve several personal problems count as positive?
There is still one last remaining personal problem to solve ...
There was a sparrowhawk perched on a neighbour's roof for 15 mins on Saturday. I was sat having a post-walk tea and cake watching it weighing up whether or not to eat my teenage nephew in the garden.
We've lived here for 9 years and I've not seen one locally in all that time
😎
PS my nephew survived
There was a sparrowhawk perched on a neighbour’s roof
That’s brilliant, I blinking love a good sparrowhawk watch. A rare treat.
My positive story today starts with a downer but ends positive;
Absolutely floored by post-COVID fatigue. Tested negative two weeks ago. Have been working since. Thought I was well over it, went to work, discovered I was not right after I arrived in the office. But yesterday I put some cds on and enjoyed the music, rediscovered an old passion for music and a nerdy fascination for hifi and technology. Posted a thread. Got loads of people contributing here on “the bike forum” - that’s what I tell my partner it is. Got really interesting contributions from others on here. Ordered a not-expensive new nerdy hifi toy to play with. Love the bike forum.
Last few posts uplifting for me, not just about me though!, we get Sparrowhawks through the garden, if we see them it’s either a blur as they hedge hop after a high level surveillance or if they catch something they sit on it a bit, or, they sit about for a bit looking embarrassed if they swoop and miss! And I’m sure the Buzzards circle looking at our dogs!
@misteralz and @chewkw and @goldfish24 and @ElShalimo
Spread the positivity, we can do it! Or we can help each other.
A grey day, called in to see my grandson. He was just waking and I held him whilst he filled his nappy! Watched him moving around on the changing mat and whilst he fed. Held him again and almost got a smile. This thread is a lot more cheerful than some, concentrate on positive and life affirming events and try and ignore the negative that we can’t do much about?
For instance, although I live near the Peak District and have a nice view over a country park (it wasn’t always the case, it was the most polluted site in Europe) I did get really cross about cars and motorcycles with pop and bang exhausts that accelerate at phenomenal speed from the roundabout below us, I still get cross with speeding drivers probably due to my previous, previous, career, but try to not let it affect my own driving. I drive defensively and mutter criticism under my breath, sometimes people pull out in front of me inconveniently, sometimes I realise that I might do the same. I refer you to the first paragraph! Look for the positive!
Take care you all.
Go for a local walk, smell the wild garlic, look for bluebells, primroses, lambs etc
Spring is here !!
@golf chick - all the wayback on pg1 you posted about 3 rolls of wallpaper for new house; is it a doll's house or are the rolls massive?
A bit more personal positivity - with UK grandson on Sunday; grandad can we play in sandpit outside - yes, of course; imaginative play burying and excavating, making sand drinks and sand food - keeping a straight face whilst he was in his imaginary world.