Been using a Salomon adv 4 vest for a year, roughly twice a week.

Super comfy and well thought out. Enough space for phone, snacks, water bottles, and waterproofs stowed in the back. Used it for Celtman last year and it worked well, however it is on the snug side if you need to carry first aid kit, hat gloves and several layers.

It seems to be wearing very well given its Salomon. I’m also a fan of the trail shoes but the tread does tend to wear quickly, though the vest is still as new

Showing as shipped on my account. Thanks for the PSA btw, managed to snaffle one late last night.

Guinness AF for the win! Otherwise it’s Lucky Saint for something lighter

On a basic level I’ve always found his music massively overrated. However, most folk I know that are really into music are besotted. Time I gave him a proper go, from his first album

Tweed valley is currently rather moist. Roads are not too clever so stay safe folks!

Another vote for Petzl Actik core. Simple to use, fast charge, long runtime. For £35 it’s just ace and good value for trail running and hiking duties.

For the two of us we spend about £60 a week. Almost exclusively in Lidl. Cooking from scratch for dinners and including breakfasts, with lunches sometimes bought separately….i.e Tesco meal deal.

The wine bill is separate to this and about the same cost again on top 🙄

No apparent issue in South Edinburgh. Filled up with diesel last night, all pumps seemed to be in use and several other filling stations had no queues. Must be a southern thing!

Cheers for the heads up. Tickets booked for release day

We stayed at Scourie Campsite mid June and it was fantastic. Whilst the campervan pitches were booked up, the tent pitches could not be pre-booked so are on a first come first served basis. It was far from full on the night we stayed. Facilities and scenery top notch

I feel fortunate to have met Sean whilst running a venue bar at the Edinburgh Festival circa 2007. Whilst it was a brief encounter at 3am when we were both a few pints deep, he came across as a genuinely lovely chap who was happy to talk bollocks, and so effortlessly funny!. Having met quite a few well regarded comics during that time, he was by far the nicest. RIP Locky

Lucky Saint for the win! Sold in Sainsburys as @Twodogs already mentioned

Also available at Tesco and Majestic Wines

@cynic-al Nothing wrong with some of the wines at all, especially sub £7 as independents would struggle to compete at that level. However, above £7 you will more than likely get a more interesting wine from a smaller producer when buying from a wine merchant. Much like utilising your LBS, most merchants will offer great advice and worth supporting your local shop.

My genuine opinion on Naked Wines is most of it is marketing and you are generally paying a bit too much per bottle for the quality. Some of the chat around supporting small producers is genuine, though a huge amount as absolute nonsense.

For £5-£8 wines we generally buy from The Wine Society, Majestic Wine(they sell single bottles these days). For most bottles beyond £8 we will use several local independents.

I work in the wine trade and would recommend the following if you absolutely must buy from the supermarket. Alsace riesling tends to be on the drier side so probably better sticking to Germany. I’d also avoid Australia as the vast majority are bone dry.

Tesco – Vouvray

Sainsbury’s – Riesling

Waitrose have a really good range of Riesling with 3 or 4 on the sweeter end. The Dr Wagner is superb value and any of the Dr Loosen wines are tremendous if you want to splash out.

Waitrose – Riesling

Pizza?

Scotland’s coastal railways with Julie Walters is looking good on Ch4

Sorry for your loss TJ

Exped Synmat 7

Once you try one of these you won’t go back to anything else. They are a bit bulkier than most others on the market though

Lasagne Pies

Sausages later
Tempest – Marmalade on Rye DIPA 9%
Zoom wine tasting the other half is conducting

Came across this a few weeks back and find it rather compelling viewing/listening. It really shouldn’t be but it is

I think 0 points to the UK is a superb outcome. Just in case there was any doubt that the rest of Europe absolutely detest us

Finland had my vote

Corian Repair

496km Challenge

An update on this month long challenge, running the date – 1km on 01/03, 2km on 02/03, up to 31km on 31/03.

Sadly yesterday (24km) was the last day for me. Crawled in after 24km with sore knees and a buggered hip. I guess 4 back to back half marathons is where it gets tough.

Absolutely gutted as mentally and energy wise I’m pumped to be out there tonight, however joints are saying no and I fear long term injury by continuing.

On the whole, I really enjoyed it and would recommend if your body allows. Still happy to have hit 300k in 3 weeks and even more buzzing to get out for a big hill run once recovered.

Best of luck for anyone out there pushing their running boundaries!

Recently traded up from Salomon Speed Sense 3 to Speedcross 5 GTX. They are superb, so comfortable even after 20 days running on the trot. Tread is aggressive but they are working well in the Tweed Valley for me so far

That’s the one @Straightliner

Definitely tough last week so we shall see how it goes.

It’s a fair point about actually racing @Spin . I guess that sort of distance you’re doing it to finish as opposed to win, aside from elite racing that is of course.

Today being the 16th means I’m on day 16 of the 496 challenge. 136km done so far for the month, only 360km to go over 15 days.

It’s been quite enjoyable to be honest and rather addictive. However, knees are starting to hurt now and calf’s are very tight. Not to mention a blistered toe which I guess is par for the course.

I think it’s very doable challenge but the hardest thing is committing to running every day and finding the time. Pace is still too quick to be sustainable for the month (approx 5.30/km)…..must learn to slow down.

Much respect to those ultra runners smashing out 100k+ in a race

Don’t bother with Salomon ones. They are technically great but still taste of plastic 3 months in

Has anyone heard of or tried the 496 challenge?

Running everyday for a month with day 1 being 1km, day 2 – 2km, working up to 31km on day 31.

I watched this 496 challenge vid of a semi well known adventurer chap called Sean Conway completing the challenge. He made it look easy but the last week is back to back half marathons and more.

Long story short is I’ve decided to give it a bash in March. I’m on day 7 today and all is well………unsurprisingly given up to 7km a day isn’t hugely strenuous. Motivation is high and I’m absolutely buzzing for it, however the furthest I’ve ever run is about 30k so I’m fully expecting to bail before day 31

Wish me luck!

These are absolute filth and can be demolished in one sitting

E – Sausage n Mash later on
D – Cold Town Beer – Raspberry Berliner Weisse
L – The other half hosting a zoom wine tasting

I was under the impression the postponed games would be attempted during the fallow weekends as TimP suggests. Fingers crossed

Did you not get the memo? Apparently you’ve got to be thankful for having a job during 2020/21 so just suck it up. That’s what everyone keeps telling me anyway

On a serious note, stick to your guns or walk away.

I have been suffering from rather persistent chilblains on my fingers for the past few years so I feel your pain.

Using this really works as a preventative – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Optima-GSL-30300200A-SNOWFIRE-Ointment/dp/B001RYOOPA

Another vote for Sudocrem for existing ones

Another vote for Lowe Alpine. I’ve had two Airzone 45/55 bags which have been great…..even loaded with 20kg of bothy supplies they’ve handled well

Fascinating episode i thought. Architecturally impressive and given the area I’d expect 6m wouldn’t be out the question if it went to market. Shame about the finishing/furnishing – the pool, wine cellar and gas fire feature in the kitchen were vomit inducing…….can’t buy taste as they say!!

Traquair house is something quite extraordinary and apparently Catherine and immediate family are super down to earth with considerably more taste than the young cousin Justin.

Roll on the next episode!

Bangers , mash and onion gravy
Have I got News For you
Vinsobres St Cosme 2018 (Rhone Red)

Bangers n mash
Chianti riserva 2013
The Fall

Do I hear a call for EDLR?

Started reading Shuggie Bain today (Booker prize winner) very good so far

Haddock Curry
Radical Road IPA then some celebratory Californian Pinot Noir
Strictly………..sadly