A Ledlenser HF4R Core arrived with me yesterday

Great quality and apparently 7 year warranty…

I was requested to attend one by HR at my last employer after tendering my notice and the day before my leave day.

I dutifully went to the requested meeting room as advised by HR. I waited 5 minutes. I waited 10 minutes. I waited 15 minutes. I left. The HR person did not turn up.

So I can only conclude that it was a check-box exercise with no real purpose.

A pity really as the reason I left was because of a – in work only – bullying boss with a huge chip on his shoulder. This was known and had been raised by others but sweet nothing done about it.

I used to occasionally travel across to Houston with work and liked to use the Boeing 737 BBJ flown by Privatair for KLM.

I remember waiting in the departure area when the inbound flight landed. The return crew were also waiting with me.

There was a lot of nasty weather around and I bricked it when the incoming pilot opened the window and made up and down and side to side movements with his arms to the waiting crew…a nervous flier at the best of times.

Seat belt signs on for a few hours directly after take-off. Bouncy bouncy and wishing I had not had that beer before boarding…and wondering if larger aircraft got knocked about as much…

I also remember the flights back across the Atlantic always seemed bouncier than in the other direction.

Decision and purchase made – refurb 256MB iPhone 12 Mini from Apple.

Job done.

Thanks all.

We lost Lara, our Miniature Schnauzer suddenly in January. She was a gem and never looked aged, even though she would have been 13 in June. I cried a lot.

Our family, home and routine was not the same, so we now have another Miniature Schnauzer, Oscar who is 10 weeks old.

Different colour (black), different sex and different personality, albeit loves human contact – when he wants it.

Commands are coming on, happy to be in the car – recognise he is young and it’s down to us to ensure all good in that area.

We are so much looking forward to getting him out for walks from the weekend onwards.

Would post pics, but don’t know how to….

Thanks all. In NE Scotland, otherwise I would have gratefully accepted to try, etc.

We’ve got a Levo hardtail which will be the tow vehicle, so should be no issues there – fingers crossed.

Thanks.

Thanks all, I appreciate your words.

Some time will undoubtedly help with the emotions (and tissue consumption) but I and we will never forget her.

RIP precious Little Lara.

One of our bikes – Spec Levo hardtail came with Shimano Altus 8 speed.

It’s now running ‘wide range’ 8 speed, retaining the Shimano shifter (could not be bothered with running new cable…) but with an Airbike 11>42 cassette (£18) plus Sunrace mech (think RDM900, but will check).

It was the most cost effective solution and works fine and dandy. The mech will work with larger cassette, but no need for such on the ebike.

No, Luminous who made the likes of this:

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/accessories/lights/front-light/luminous-lights-401-pro-front-light-review/

All in one front lights

Thanks but the connectors are ‘funcy’ but have already comm’d with the ever helpful and good Smudge, who can do the charger but it’s finding the connector which is the challenge.

OK, I can actually report a positive experience.

Got circa 10% less for the car due to a small dent on the lip of a front wing arch (I had contemplated repair before taking the car along) plus some normal stone chips on the bonnet v their online offer.  I had not disclosed these.

However, it as still a few hundred £’s more than other online buyers had offered plus the only firm offer we had received from a potential private buyer.

The WBAC chap was actually very decent.

Seems a very ‘mechanical’ process with focus on the superficial condition of the car, service history, and strangely the parcel shelf (guess another price reduction area).

Certainly a model which relies upon the £49.99 admin fee and high volumes as I seriously cannot think they will be able to turn over much profit on the car based upon what they paid us.

Yes, but as above, where in the UK is this actually happening on any scale at all?

OK, if hydrocarbons cease to be produced in UK and the population as a whole does not materially reduce consumption patterns (direct and indirect in terms of plastics, etc, etc) then what?

What have you/we personally done to reduce your consumption of hydrocarbons – direct and indirect?

The change to EV is a challenge, but assume that I already have an older but still good diesel fully paid for vehicle which is used for multiple duties, including towing trailer, horse trailer for daughter and friends, which I then look to replace with an EV.

So, limited to a Tesla Model X. Sadly, I do not have a minimum of what, £70k to buy one or £800+ per month to lease particularly when considering impacts of general inflation.

Regardless, I would have to consider range, charge-points, speed to charge, etc, etc. Living in a rural community, charge-point would be either at home or trying to find one in the sticks which is actually working.

I’d also be happy to have a Tesla or similar battery storage system installed at home, but again, cost to do so is a tad prohibitive.

‘One size’ certainly does not fit all.

Consider – for UK registered companies – let’s say for FTSE 100 – and their market sectors, their profits and tax payments made for last reported financial year. Be interesting to look at. If all companies are paying taxes of >70% on their profits, then great, but if not, you have to ask why…

Unfortunately, the world will continue to rely upon hydrocarbons for some time (look around you…) and the UK has a choice – produce what we have as environmentally friendly as absolutely possible – or simply consume from overseas, where environmental considerations may be less and conveniently overlook the environmental impacts of getting it here. Yes, I recognise that UK oil and gas goes overseas and overseas comes to UK – the challenge of if not being a homogeneous product and hence refineries are set-up to work best with certain specs. Also consider the tax take to the UK from all those employed – directly or indirectly – to support the hydrocarbon industry in the UK.

Also consider what Ukraine war has identified as energy security issues…stop UK and rely more on overseas imports..??

I don’t think anyone would argue that a move from fossil fuels to true sustainable is required, but I struggle to see a real path to that, where it appears that any industry to build turbines, solar are basically elsewhere – correct me if I am wrong, but what have the UK and devolved governments done to tangibly support the creation of such an industry, providing valuable ‘real’ jobs with tech opportunities, etc, etc? Battery factories in the UK…oops, no…but conveniently overlooking the environmental impacts of the raw material mining.

Also, there is simply not the infrastructure in place to support EV usage at this time. The cost of change for consumers is also prohibitive, considering the back-drop of inflation. I’d happily install solar panels, own an EV but the cost to do so means it’s not possible.

As said above, as the commodities these companies produce are globally traded then if increased profits on ‘excess’ then support when commodity prices crater?

Most definitely takeaway portions from our favoured places more than feed the numbers they guide for.

Indian. Meal for 1 feeds 3 of us with ease. £18.95. And it’s very good.

Kebab. Special mix wrap for one gets cut in 2 and feeds 2. Mixed kebab also feeds 2. £12 for each.

Chinese. Main and rice with a side will again feed 3. Under £20.

Pizza – Aldi sourdough smacks the likes of Domino into the distance. Under £5 each with rocket to share.

Fish & Chips. Mmm..I sense £12 for haddock and chips each. 2 will feed 3. Whilst good, the thought is often better than the reality.

Lessons or gree fee payment.

To be fair, the things I have enjoyed since I was a lad have been biking, golf and skiing. Golf can be a cracking way to spend a few hours with your muckers and family.

Inappropriate and insensitive questioning which resulted in the opportunity to identify that such exists and a subsequent platform for publicity for a charity which focuses on a specific market.

However, many carry preconceptions and misconceptions which can result in both negative plus positive bias.

TJ,

Thanks – got it.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-new-scotland-stronger-economy-independence-summary/

Not quite sure how the transition from current to future green supporting continued employment is going to be done. Aspirational is fine, but to persuade folks, there needs to be detail providing a clear and tangible personal benefit v the status quo. Brexit has created chaos and negative impacts on many and I am struggling to understand why Independance would not introduce more of the same and potentially compound such.

I concede that the SNP led SG have enacted a number of positive things, albeit these may be supported by higher taxes paid by some and I’m sure that their application is no different than similar deployments by other Govt’s which ultimately serve to try to win votes.

My obvious preference would be to try to collaboratively resolve the fundamental issues impacting the population for the good of the majority and the door to this may be more open if there was less rhetoric about ‘leaving’?

TJ,

Interesting that you should defend the FM by pointing towards the PM. So, would you agree that the FM suffers from the same untruths as the PM? If so that is great as it suggests to me that you are more open minded than some who seem to believe that the FM does walk on water and can do no wrong and hence a reasoned discussion can be had.

I would sincerely appreciate your sense of what masterplan the SNP have in place to assure those they claim to represent will be no worse off or even better off than current? What sectors will assure meaningful employment for all who want it, with good income to allow meaningful tax income to support health, education, pensions, defence, etc, etc. Given the O&G industry appears to have fallen out of SNP favour in order to have an alliance with the greens? Seriously, what is the master plan to convince me that independence will be better? Thanks.

I was born in Scotland and have lived and worked in Scotland most of my adult life.

However, I – like others – are challenged by – presumably ultra – nationalists who, at every turn, seek to create division, demonise others ‘The English’, accuse those of us who are happy being part of the UK as “Not a real Scot” or “A traitor”. Additionally a FM who claims to talk on behalf of all Scots – when she patently does not.

This given current and recent events related to division completely turns me off.

However, I also acknowledge the challenges the UK has as a whole – a political system which requires reform, recent blatant lies, corruption, etc.

Surely recognition of the fundamental issues facing the country and trying to build positive alliances to deal with those is hugely more positive than yet more division.

Plus the current UK and Scottish governments really need to show me a real path to stability, meaningful employment and as much prosperity as it is possible for as many as possible.

TR,

Delivery was from the folks up past Monymusk towards Chapel Of Garioch. Delivered by a tipper Landie.

Must admit to liking some nicely seasoned Beech for the log burner – we used to get from some folks who harvested wind-blown round their farm but not doing it now.

Also like burning old Whisky barrels – love the blue flames and the aroma during storage – magic!

Guessing the Elm was pretty good burning – chimney sweep had no more than a mug of soot this year.

The most recent load we got was £225 for 2 x m2 of locally kiln dried Elm. The folks we use fuel their kilns using locally harvested wood.

It was slightly more expensive than folks on FB Classifieds, but excellent quality.

Thanks both – much appreciated.

The horse trailer has the usual legally required lights plus feed to an internal light from which there is a feed to internal camera system to allow us to monitor horsey during travel from the car.

Good morning all.

So…having checked things.

The horse trailer is 13 pin and the ‘new’ to us car has twin 7 pin.

I’ll get the twin 7 changed to a single 13, but in the interim, is there any way to connect the 13 pin trailer to 7 pin car?

Thanks!

No, as we have no boiler to get serviced…all electric….

Thanks both – much appreciated.

If you want an honest appraisal of the GMT Master, suggest you contact Haywood at

Our Watch Team

What is it worth?

https://www.miltonaires.com/product-category/rolex-sports/gmt-master

Thanks.

It is to understand ownership of a piece of land which we suspect is owned by a property company – who have left the area untended for some years now and it’s a complete eye-sore.

I sense that £’s will have to be spent to get a proper understanding…and then whether said company have any obligations to keep and tend for said area.

For those in NE Scotland, sense it is the company associated with the chap who used to be part of ownership of the local football team in Aberdeen…

Please don’t go there….already doing horsey stuff on a small-scale feels akin to burning £50 notes…

There is definitely something which has occurred between Saturday and yesterday as the car and trailer combo have been absolutely fine until yesterday.

See how I get on with my car this evening.

OK, given issue not apparently when Mrs B’s car is not pulling the trailer, have to assume it is some form of load related issue.

Juddering just at point of stopping when slowing down using brakes and just the initial pull away after having stopped. Noise and slight judder definitely sounds like it is coming from the back end and possible rear passenger side.

Interestingly, both rear discs on her car look much less polished than my own, even given hers pulls the trailer…does make me think some form of brake related issue, but also thought about propshaft, diff, etc, etc.

OK, bit of context and an update…

Trailer and car no issues at all after being used 5 days last week. Trailer taken home, cleaned and washed out on Saturday.

Trailer parked up on Saturday with brakes off (wheel-chocks used rather than handbrake on due to relatively infrequent usage..to avoid drum binding as above).

Trailer hitched up last night with horse in, first downhill braking bit and noise apparent…just at point of slowing down to stop and then when initially setting off. Turned back, unloaded horse and tested trailer unloaded. Issue still there in same scenarios. Unhitched trailer, drove car and no noise.

See how I get on with my own car pulling trailer tonight…

Mrs B has a 2010 X1 (E84) xdrive with the perm 4wd, I have a newer model X1 F48 also 2.0 diesel auto xdrive which I believe is FWD until 4WD required.

I’m going to hitch my own car up to trailer this evening and see if same thing happening. If not, then at least we know it’s Mrs B car specific.

Trailer was new in December and no issues apparent until last night.

Looking at the rear discs on Mrs B’s car, they don’t appear to be so well ‘polished’ as my own, hence I’m thinking it may be a sticky rear caliper.

But…keep those ideas coming in. Thanks.

VX220…suspension refresh, upgraded rad, decent heater, timing chain tensioners, water pump, fuel line check, full brake going over, etc, etc plus MOT. Potentially SC if any pennies left….

NE Scotland to Northants…

Only Acolyte bit is the cassette. Certainly seems to change just fine. We’ll see how it goes…I suspect the 46t cog will never be used…

@yetidave, just dropped you a PM. They are a nice dark metallic grey..but need to dig them out of the box in the shed. Will send pics.

Thanks so far – much appreciated.

Current towing car is an E84 BMW X1 Xdrive, auto and pulling a Cheval Liberte trailer (unladen 850kg) – limited to 1 x horse. Bad Dad, but horse is either 15.2 or 16.2hh…I always forget which…should also probably figure out how heavy said horse actually is. The car can handle 750kg un-braked and 2,000kg braked (which the trailer is obviously).

TBH, it may simply be that a change of car is the actual driver at play – the lady of the house has had the existing one for many years now, so perhaps simply fancies a change…

Regardless, curious about the Touareg

If any interest, I have a rigid Singular Swift Reynolds steel 29er fork – straight steerer and QR – surplus. Newly powder coated in a nice colour too :-)