I’m faced with this battery decision as our Model S battery will coming out of warranty in 2025. We have had it around 3 years now. It charges to 80% on a home charger for 99% of the driving we do and I don’t think we have seen any significant reduction in range in that time. Has covered around 140k and have replaced some suspension parts in the last year and do need to finally do the back brakes soon too.

My gut instinct is to just keep it. It’s paid off and the value has dropped since we bought it too. Running cost compared to a diesel is great. We would only replace it with another electric car anyway and we love the space in it, huge boot for the dogs/bales of hay/shavings etc.

Spend what we would on replacing it on solar and battery and then see if we can make further savings that way

Kiwi DNA update. Mostly terrier but with a few oddities thrown thrown in there too!  JRT is clearly dominant as she gets bigger and the hair is coming back.

She now refuses to wear a jumper and instead uses her big brother for warmth instead

Wow. also ordered including stickers! May then have to give it to my better half to then regift to me for xmas! Question is; will I have the willpower when it arrives?

Kiwi’s hair is coming back. She is less itchy and the Malassezia (yeast) infection is going so she isn’t as smelly! DNA test been taken for a bit of entertainment. Total of 40kg of dog on the sofa now! 

I loved the Lazarus Heist. Podcast about North Korean hackers and various jobs they have done over the years to generate currency for the cash strapped NK government

I stick with M&S too. They wash well, iron nicely and have a variety of fits and styles and aren’t too pricey for something I never wear out of work. They are also one of the few places that do short sleeved shirts that are suitable for work. Major fashion faux pas maybe but need arms bare below the elbow for work.

Did once buy a selection from TM Lewin and had the sleeves taken off. When the sales assistant was querying why anyone would want short sleeved shirts I pointed out that it meant it was easier to shove your hand up a cow’s arse that way to do Pregnancy Diagnosis than with long sleeves. It did remove his smarmy smile for a second.

Lovely photo. There is something wonderful about seeing a hound  going full pelt on a beach. It’s the glee in their eye and the enjoyment of just running they exhibit. Followed by hours of snoring and farting as they rest up after!

Loving all the doggie pics and the places they go and how they sleep. Ok. Will follow up with the Kiwi hair reconstruction! So far it’s coming down the back and over the head. I’ll get better shots tomorrow

In the meantime here is a snap of her first trip to the Forest with her own personal bodyguard.

Meet Kiwi the rescue puppy. Has had a nasty case of demodex mange but is well on the way to growing her hair back.

Not sure the Labrador is that impressed by her though!

Been in many a practice meeting where you find yourself sat there feeling resentful of the time its taking and thinking of all the jobs you could actually have achieved in that time (or more likely thinking how late am I going to have to stay to catch up!)

I guess starting point would be what does the meeting aim to actually achieve? Many of these meetings are just information dissemination and it could be and should be done another way. If its actually making decisions then need to review who actually needs to be there (may be different for each meeting)

You need a good chair who drives it on and doesn’t allow agenda points to get sidetracked. I imagine GPs are as good at this as vets are (want 4 opinions then ask 3 vets). If that’s not the PM then someone else has to take over that role.

They also need to review the agenda beforehand and decide if it should actually be on there or is it just information dissemination in which case it’s not getting on the agenda.

Action Points checked before the meeting so you don’t get sidetracked agreeing the previous minutes before you even get to the current agenda.

Only way it will change is if someone actually stands up and states it isn’t working and need to review it. Guess one of the partners needs to be that person though.

At least its only once a month though ;)

Been many times to stay outside San Fran with relatives and  done various road trips into Utah, Nevada and Arizona.

Utah was amazing for NP, Bryce, Zion, Arches and a cool little one called Goblin Valey we found on the way back from the Slickrock trail at Moab

With two weeks I’d suggest picking 2 or 3 doing them. Lots of biking around SF including the cheesy but fun ride across the bridge and get the ferry back ( had 1st married argument on honeymoon there as I was lost but enjoying cycling amongst the trees while my other half apparently was not!)

On our last trip my highlights were Monument Valley ( too far maybe if you don’t want to spend time driving on 2 weeks as we had longer) but place I want to go back to is Death Valley. Amazing place to explore and would be much nicer if if was cooler than when we were there in July/August

Palm Springs was much nicer than I expected too and easy striking distance for Joshua Tree if all the roads are open

Just done our 1st Neilson beach trip to Alana in Croatia. Had great time there. Ours were 11 and 13 and had a great time. Nice atmosphere and the team looking after us seemed happy and to enjoy their roles.

The club ages are quite tight in ages so don’t get too much of an age difference which seems to work. We saw lots of the teens groups hanging out together during the day and evening too. The activities seems to flex depending to a degree on what the kids wanted to do! They appeared to be enjoying themselves (unless a parent made an appearance)

Numbers will vary depending on the week. We did 11 nights and the 1st week was very pleasant with lots of availability etc but the 2nd week was very busy and the eldest club number went from about 18 kids to north of 40. He had found some friends already and they hung around together and had a great time.

Agree re biking at Croatia. Mostly just fire roads but still enjoyed it especially the e-bike ride that did 1100 m climbing in 15 km before turning back.

Both of mine would do it again as would my wife and I.

The Olympics has an ability to create memories. I can remember the Rocket Man from La 84 when I would have been ten! Steve Redgrave winning his 5th gold medal watching it on a tiny tv in a rubbish hotel.

My wife worked at the Horse events at 2012 for both the Olympics and Paralympics and the feeling in London at that time was amazing. I managed to get some athletics and Judo tickets and had a greta time watching it. However kind of gave up on trying to get tickets for Paris as seemed just too expensive.

Will still enjoy watching it

I’ve done hundreds of thyroidectomies and most of my patients are back to work the next day. Admittedly they are cats and work is sleeping, eating, licking their own arse and occasionally wandering outside to poo in next doors garden! So kind of like lying in bed and scrolling on STW.

It will take time for the hormone levels to settle and not everyone reacts as expected. Ring your doctor, extend your sick note without any feelings of guilt

Listened to The rest is Politics US and News Agents USA, both reckon he will go, but no one seems to know how to do it and who to replace him with.

Its like the audience member stating “are you two the best we’ve got?”

Scotland just lacked quality. Static players playing to another static player with so little attacking threat or menace that it doesn’t surprise me we went out.

The ability to control the ball with 1st touch and move it quickly and accurately seems beyond us when compared to other countries. Maybe we need to introduce fussball to school to try and build some skill

What a win. Came back from 13-0 down. Scored 3 tries and held on at the death.

Watching Bulls vs  Glasgow. Tight game so far with Glasgow just crossing line before 1/2 time.

Could be problems if the Bulls do open up their running game as they look lethal that way.

URC tv is shocking. Cut away at the end just as Glasgow were bartering at the line.

Tranquilliser dart sounds so easy but like shooting a runway cow, it’s not a simple as that. Like the bullets needed to stop a running cow, the drugs used in tranquiliser darts are equally lethal. Accidentally stick yourself with some and there had better be someone at hand to administer the antidote and get you to hospital asap. Don’t really want to miss or have the cow knock it out  and have that flying off somewhere to be found by a random child.

Not many vets carry a licence both for a gun suitable and the drugs needed. Never mind the public liability insurance for operating it in a town and not out in a more controlled environment.

in time we will find out if the correct protocols were followed and who gave the orders to use a car to stop it but till then it’s pretty much just speculation.

Vivobarefoot on SportPursuit for those curious to try?

Took him for a lovely evening walk. Running around in the field. Generally great time for about an hour.

Got home, sat down with a glass of water and instantly had the pink pig dropped on my lap followed by can we play eyes!

I think if they throw her under the bus then she is coming out swinging and taking anyone she can with her.

Been there with horse trailer and eventually was able to upgrade to a 3.5t Horsebox which is so much easier to manage.

1 horse is pretty easy. Most will tow that ok but if looking at 2 (plus tack, saddles, hay, water and all the associated gubbins that is needed) then I would be looking for something like a Touraeg that is rated to 3500kg. We used an X5 on winter tyres so that it didn’t get stuck in the fields and that worked well for a horse and small pony.

Worth checking the weight of the trailer, standard Ifors are great but weigh quite a bit and there are some lighter versions from other manufacturers.

About 2.5 years ago. It’s stable now and have full range of movement. Even been back on the judo mat although there was a definite psychological barrier with not wanting to break it again to overcome with that.

Like others I’ve had surgery on separated acromioclavicular joint. Shaved the end off my clavicle then a suture and a screw to hold it in place. Not keyhole though.

Main thing was Physio to get range of motion back in it. I was told to sling it for 6 weeks too. (possibly because I told then I would likely overdo it). If I had to do it again I would start movement and physio as early as possible as it took a lot of work to get full mobility back for me.

Otherwise happy but to get back on the bike asap `I’d be asking how quick you can start physio and range of movement exercises

We have had a pod point home charger for a couple of years now and works seamlessly with Octopus and the Tesla once all the set up has been done.

Had a couple of issues over that time when the car lost the ability to know where it was so wouldn’t charge because it didn’t know it was at home! Great fun in the morning!

Looking at possibly going electric with a second car and need to work out best way of charging them both. In winter do need to charge the Tesla every day as it does a reasonable number of miles.

Can the average house have 2 chargers installed so both can be charged overnight?

Thanks Mark. Great to hear about the progress. Hope Migration goes seamlessly!

Never really owned much Patagonia stuff mainly because it’s pricey. Bought a Nano Puff jacket a year ago and it has become my go to jacket. Warm but not too heavy and hasn’t shown any wear in the year so far. Deffo better quality than the Alpkit one I had before that has had a tear repaired and is the back up jacket in the car.

Been to lots of fun weddings. Best ones are where there is some activity or attraction to bring all the disparate groups together. We had a Ceilidh band at ours and it’s a great way of actually getting all ages up to dance together.

For a more alternative one, friends held a blessing ( after private registery office ceremony) at YHA Bryn Gwynant. Complete with circus performers to perform an evening show and spend the afternoon teaching people simple tricks and games. Worked well for a young crowd with lots of small children and the more senior adults had a great time watching. Best but was no WiFi or mobile signal and ability to swim I the lake to cure the hangover the next day

Only done PhD by proxy as my wife (the brains of the family) did hers after residency and Diploma exams. She has then gone on to be supervisor and co supervisor for others often picking up when someone has left the organisation. Hopefully she isn’t a total bitch like onehundredidiots new one though she does encourage them when needed!

Again science based but definitely important to get a supervisor you can work with and who knows what they are doing as well. Papers make the academic world go round so the more publications from your research the better and helps you organise your thoughts and correct course early if needed. Often is a period in the middle where motivation wanes and direction from supervisor can help that as long as you actually talk to them!

She loved her time and still does a mixture of research and other roles now! I liked the time I spent in Fiji as she finished it in the hotel conference facilities and I swam to the pool bar before we spent a month traveling NZ. I also liked then fact she got a proper well paying job after though too!

Re Mileage. We bought our Tesla Model s with about 85,000 on it as a trial initially to see if we could live with it ( figured buying a cheap high mileage one there would be less depreciation if we didn’t like it).

2.5 years later he has hit 130,000 and going strong. Not seen any signs of dip in range over that time. We almost exclusively charge at home but he has done a couple of long trips which were fine. Yes took longer than a ICE car but not a big issue.

Battery warranty runs out next year and u suppose it’s a risk to carry on but given prices have dropped I don’t see any reason to get rid. Heard of taxis going to 250,000 easily.

Cheapest option will likely be the Dog Trust membership as mentioned above.

Allows for cover up to £1 million and accidental damage. I use it because most pet insurance won’t cover your dog at your place of work either.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/membership

Just done a road trip up from Cheshire to Aberdeenshire in our 130,000 mile Model S. Was going to use the diesel estate but it sprung some Ad Blue failure and both mechanics I spoke to said “don’t think I’d take the risk if I were you”

Fully charged it gives a range of around 210 mile and it was 294 to destination. Travel up Good Friday. 3 stops with 10-15 minute waits at Charnock Richard and Abingdon to get on a charger. Empty at Dundee despite it being open to non Tesla. (Wanted more in the battery as not got a charger at my sisters)

Exacerbated by Gretna being closed and not being able to use the newer V3 superchargers as ours doesn’t have the CCS combo adaptor.

Biggest issue was the lack of a home charger staying with my sister. Able to plug in on the 3 pin plug and add 6 miles an hour!

Back on Easter Monday. Had a decent charge before leaving by visiting a slow cheap charger at nearby hotel so topped top at Dundee and then stopped at Abingdon for a long charge and late lunch before getting home with 9 miles left.

Overall on a regular trip I reckon it added about 1 hour 20 to the time we would normally have taken.  Ok its an older model and charges slower, can’t use the fastest chargers and did have a couple of waits on 1 of the busiest days for travelling but otherwise pretty smooth.

For our day to day needs it’s perfect and usually have other options for long drives but shows its possible to do.

Now have to decide if we do update to the CCS adaptor for £211 as the new superchargers are CCS only!

I’ve done western North America few times

Places I loved that might fit the bill

Jasper ( was many years ago so may be too touristy now)

Canoeing Bowmore Lake Circuit was amazing but will mean camping and it’s miles from other places

Vancouver Island ( needed more time)

Kicking Horse pretty small and was a while ago

Zion, Bryce area of Utah  ( may be very hot though) can travel around to other places quite easily too!

Death Valley ( ok not in summer and not going to have water sports but was beautiful)

My sister went to Nova Scotia last year and that also looks amazing and not very touristy in comparison

It’s’ a minefield. I’m in the process of trying to get my FIL a reasonable quote. He’s turned 80 and the policy has doubled! No accidents, no motoring convictions. I understand that older drivers can be a higher risk but that’s a shocking amount to charge.

I’ve been through 2 pairs of Amazon sourced cheapies both of which lasted a bit over a year and then bought some shockz ones.

Love them for walking the dog listening to podcasts and doing outside jobs listening to stuff without broadcasting it to my neighbours and still being able to hear. Good on the bike but do struggle with wind noise when get faster. ( so not very often then)

some limitations when it’s noisy like the lawnmower but mine are so comfy I often forget I’m wearing them.

It’s long been the case that drugs have been used for a purpose and then further research is done and shows that they may not be being used appropriately.

When I first started working it was standard to give dogs that were scared of fireworks a drug called ACP (Acepromazine). Seemed to work really well as they were quiet, didn’t pant, pace, vocalise or do any of the many things they would show how they were scared. However further research showed that they were fully aware of the scary fireworks and just not able to do anything about it so actually a much worse experience for them. Now no one would use it in such a situation. Doesn’t stop clients asking for it though “ it just worked so well”

In relation to flying, you are not allowed to give cats or dogs any sedatives prior to flight as it is then not possible to tell if they have become ill during the flight or are having an adverse reaction to the medication. Can see why air crew would feel the same about people

If you need a discount for online flowers I’ve used Appleyard. Will do ones that can go through letterboxes too which I have found handy. For local one I go direct to the local florist!

ps I don’t get anything back from these discounts. Think they are only valid today (Tuesday)

Use code QWK25 at the checkout for 25% off.*
Spend over £55 and use code QWK30 at the checkout for 30% off.**
Spend over £75 and use code QWK33 at the checkout for 33% off.***

I looked at Mercs and Audis when I last changed mine but ended up back in a BMW.

The interior of most modern Mercs looks like it has been designed for the Chinese market and were hideously bling so were automatically discounted. Audi just drove very dull and the s line ride wasn’t good

In the end one of my main factors was I love the opening window in the boot of BMW estates. I’m in and out of the boot regularly getting dog in etc and that feature just works for me. Load dog, close boot open window. Change shoes/boots etc load them and close. Handy for just popping some shopping in the boot.

Watched the Wigan/Penrith game for the 2nd 1/2. What struck me was how poor quality the video refs angles seemed to be. Not much choice and not very clear when slowed down.

Scotland were ok but not great but actually pretty ruthless with taking points when they got a chance.