I bought the trousers a few years ago which have the zip offs for a bike/hike trip. They have been superb and I use them as my primary walking trouser.

They also pair well with a base layer when cold and are fine with waterproof trews over the top when its pishing down

Another vote for Meindl boots here. I bought a pair of their Burma pro boots 15 years ago and they are still going strong with use every week.

Whilst they are not cheap (£200), I can’t stress enough the comfort and value in these over time.

A mate that I regularly walk with is onto his second pair of boots in 3 years (Hi-tec and Berghaus) which equate to around the same cost overall, and guaranteed he’ll be buying again in the next few years.

Ash – Murrayfield Stadium supporting RHCP 2004

Peanut butter. Crisps

There’s definitely something about the last year, and that’s completely outwith Covid.

My partner’s step dad passed away last night, only 6 months after her dad. My grandmother less than a year ago. Numerous close friends have lost family this year ………….must be easily double figures by now. Haven’t seen another year like it.

2021 needs to come around bloody soon!

E -Bangers n Mash
D -Stewart Brewery – Cauld Reekie Stout – Red later
L -Led Zep – Physical Graffiti

NZCol – Which vintage of Musar are you on?

Die Another Day. End Of

Thanks @icic . Donation sent

Horrendous situation.

Having visited twice over the past few years, Lebanon will always have a place in my heart. The locals were very hospitable, loads of history and just a super place to visit. My thoughts are with all in Beirut.

Out for dinner shortly for a 7 Course tasting menu (would rather stay in truth be told)

Fransiskaner weissbier

Mumford and sons

I give up. Mother’s ruin to the fore

@redmex – London Dry is a style as opposed to where it is produced fyi

I’d recommend trying this….

Wild Gin

E – Padron peppers, bangers n mash later
D – Fyne brewery Jarl.Bottle of Rasteau red in the decanter for later
L- Bloc Party from Glasto highlights

E – cheesy veg bake
D – Jarl then a bottle Lirac from the Rhone
L – Glasto on BBC 2

Bangers n mash
Chateau la lagune 2015
Watching joolz Holland

Working in gin production means i’m as enthralled with it as i was before lockdown. More craft beer and wine though for sure

Giri/Haji – Crime/mafia series, set in Japan and London. Made by BBC, stars Kelly Macdonald.

Very enjoyable

piemonster

What test did you use Gav?

Posted 7 hours ago

It was the Abbots antibody test. This is the blurb I was sent after i’d already been tested

I am delighted to announce that the Abbots (USA) Laboratory analyser ANTIBODY test for SARS-CoV-2, that we are providing to patients at The Health Equation, through The Doctors Laboratory, received Public Health England approval yesterday, Thursday 14th May 2020. Abbotts say the specificity of the ANTIBODY test is between 99.7 and 100%.

The Abbots Antibody test joins the Roche Antibody Test as the only 2 PHE approved SARS-CoV-2 ANTIBODY tests in the UK. Whilst the UK Government said in their press release that the ROCHE test was 100% specific, Roche themselves say it is 99.8 to 100% specific. At the moment Roche are only providing their test to the NHS.

Having had many of the symptoms and taking 5 weeks to feel almost back to normal, I was 99% sure I had the virus.

This week my employer paid for us to take the anti-body test……..it came back negative!

Still no clearer as to whether I’ve had it but either way that might suggest no immunity if no anti-bodys detected

Watched this yesterday and thought it was ace

Becoming Ruby

My experience so far

4 weeks ago – Went for a run and experienced shortness of breath for a couple days after which was unusual but improved quickly.

3 weeks ago – Another run which I bailed on due to breathing issues but no other symptoms.

2 weeks ago – Left work with a temperature and headache which lasted a few days. Shortness of breath continued. Isolated for 10 days, during which I experienced pins and needles and muscle aches.

This week – Back to work feeling a lot better and unsure if Covid etc.

Yesterday – 40 minute hilly walk and shortly after the breathing issues start.

Today – Breathing is now getting a lot worse with a very dry throat and slight cough starting. Otherwise no fever or anything else

Thought I was through it but it’s suddenly kicked in with a vengeance. Seems to echo those who are trying to exercise too soon.

My advise would be to rest up and take it seriously!

Wine Society- For loads of interesting bottles – especially sub £15

Lay & Wheeler – Fine wine, predominantly the classics. Pricy but decent to deal with.

Woodwinters – Indie merchant with tons of good kit, lots of biodynamic/organic and a cracking Italian range. I have enjoyed many a bottle from these guys.

Naked Wines – wouldn’t touch with a bargepole

Another vote for Fyne Ales

These guys just don’t brew a bad beer imo – Stewart Brewing

Having had a lymph node removed from my under arm on Friday, I’d definitely recommend going to your gp.

I went to the doc after finding a painless enlarged node under my arm which didn’t go away, on top of several months of feeling very run down. Scan showed it as abnormal as apposed to a swollen lymph node. I’ll find out what’s going on within the next two weeks, fingers crossed nothing.

Not worth risking it so get it checked!!

Iolla – Scottish based company with shops in Edinburgh and Glasgow plus online. Original designs and super quality for £65 a pair. My everyday and sunglasses are from here and I’m hugely impressed so far

Almost exactly 10 years ago I cycled from the Scottish Borders to Athens. I’d highly recommend the cycle to Newcastle as Slackboy suggests, then jump on the ferry to Amsterdam. That way you miss out cycling the length of England, however as soon as you get off the boat you’ll be riding on awesome bike paths through Holland and into Belgium.

Falafel – spuds – Cavalo Nero

Keith Brewery – Frank raspberry beer

The Airborne Toxic Event

E – Spicy beef burger
D – Fever Tree ginger beer
L – Teenage Fanclub

Protein as opposed to carbs is what you want.

I’m also lactose intolerant and have been really impressed with the vegan protein extreme in the vanilla creme flavour from TheProteinWorks.

Good luck!

The St Peter’s alcohol free ale is the most horrific beer related product i’ve ever tasted……absolutely howfin!

Krombacher and Paulaner do some decent wheat and pilsner styles.

Dry Drinker do a great selection including some worthwhile mixed cases.

Have you tried the ECRCS( European Car Rental Conciliation Service)?

http://www.ecrcs.eu

Might be worth a shout

E Salmon with veg etc
D Montepulciano d’abruzzo, Masciarelli
L Jason Isbell – Nashville Sound

Wine.

Sadly its as expensive as collecting bikes

Sounds like a really exciting project Kit.

I work in the off-trade in Edinburgh and sell loads of craft spirits so give me a shout if you want to see whats selling really well locally. We also have loads of samples open so you’re welcome to swing by and try some of the competition.

I’d say the main selling points for any of our craft spirits are presentation and locality of the distillery, obviously providing it tastes good. Silent Poo(l) is a prime example, it isn’t local but it’s a tasty gin in a fantastic bottle.

Anyway, best of luck and let me know if I can help from a retail point of view.

Another eclectic mix but variety is the spice on a desert island

Kind of Blue – Miles Davis
Stereophonics – Word Gets Around
Led Zeppelin – III
Jason Isbell – Southeastern
The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come For Free

Chicken Balti made by the mrs
Top Out Brewery Alt Bier
Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night on +1, It’s Friday night toss at it’s best

I concur with the La Gitana Manzanilla chat.

This is well worth a browse as an accurate insight of all things Sherry

Very much partial to a Palo Cortado which is extremely complex and somewhere between an oloroso and amonillado. This is a cracking example for the money Pedro’s

Got a down jacket from Izas through Sports Pursuit. For £60 it’s been tremendous!

https://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/izas-nov16

Fish pie for Christmas eve
Roast goat with roast veg etc
pudding tbc

The best part of the planning is choosing the wines to serve………love it

Just had a glass of chilled English Pale Ale and thinking I’ll open a bottle of Majestic Definition Rioja next.

( highly recommended btw, by better qualified people than me!)

I can confirm this is outstanding Rioja Reserva for £9.99 which under it’s independent label costs around £18 so amazing value.

Currently enjoying some Pol Roger Brut……….as good as ever