I’ve got a Montane Extreme smock and a jacket version. The jacket was about £70 from sportshoes.com. Like them both, but the quality of the jacket isn’t as good, it feels like they’ve made a special run to hit a  cheaper price point, but obviously I have no evidence! The pertex on the smock feels different, and it has some extra details like an extra popper to fold  back the face bit of the hood. They both work the same, with the obvious exception of being able to dump heat with the full length zip.

Still probably too thick for the OP.

Love the idea of a made in Sheffield proper Buffalo one, but at a third of the price it’s hard to justify, especially as I tend to abuse them as they’re so much more hard wearing than lightweight down etc

Ours are adopted, so even if I’m not the best, I’m pretty sure I’m a better parent than the first lot 🙂

I’ve got a bottle of Macallan 10 yr old Speaker Martin, in a white box. Think Michael Martin signed the box. My nan won it a raffle years ago. I dont think it’s particularly special tasting but had novelty value. There’s a massive range of prices online so I’m never sure whether to hold on to it or sell it.

My main concern is I’ll come home from a night out pissed, and decide to drink it

Sorry, can’t get quotes to work, but two things from Convert’s posts:

“I do wonder if there is a generation who had it from the start of their time in the hills and if the tech failed on them (dropping your phone or it bricking or running out of power is a thing- or just user error where you fail to download the map before setting off and find yourself without signal) might not have what it takes to sort themselves out.”

I think that’s probably more of an issue with experiencing being lost/confused and learning to deal with it regardless of the nav method. I did loads of walking as a kid 30+ yrs ago, Scouts, D of E, and with my mates, all map and compass. I reckon 50% of the time we had no idea where we were or were in the wrong place, but I guess that experience meant that we didn’t get stressed, adjusted our plans, partly as it was a laugh and we were young and a bit stupid. This was Peak district, Lakes and Snowdonia mostly, rather than big remote Scottish areas, where you can pretty much just turn left or right and find a road.

Do agree with this point to an extent though “Firstly, where I am journeying there is no way in hell I’d allow a computer to do the routing.”

Had experience of this at Easter – did a walk with the family at Easter in the FoD, they were struggling a bit so we cut it short. Options were to walk along the road (no verge so a bit iffy) or let the app re-route (didn’t bother with a paper map). We followed the re-routed walk down a cheeky DH track and ended up on one of the Red MTB routes briefly before getting on a fire road. I was more stressed doing that than any time I’ve been lost in a white-out on my own running or walking, but that was probably more that I was worried I’d end up as a thread on here moaning about bell end families strolling down MTB routes

I’ve never really been bothered by football, didn’t support a team as a kid, my Dad liked rugby league, cricket and cycling (he was from Yorkshire), my Mums family were from Wales so it was all rugby uninon. Did feel a bit left out as a teenager and young man as workmates and friends talked about football, but never had the negative experiences some of you had, which sound nuts. I do like lots of other sports though, spectating and playing.

But, like all sports, you need to be invested in it to get it I suppose. I said I don’t support a team, well now I do. My team have won a cup and got promoted this season, last season they didn’t win a game. I’m now discussing team selection, tactical shape, form of the players, and have taken part in a pitch invasion for their cup win. It’s an under 10 girls team FFS. My daughter has started playing this season, and she loves it, the kids are ace and the parents are all really nice. I now have a team I really want to win, even though I don’t play for them. So I wouldn’t say football is pants.

I can see how you’d get fed up of it being the main topic of conversation if you don’t like it though. I work in an academic setting, where the main topic of conversation is much more cultural- theatre, films that don’t have explosions in them etc. It drives me mad, as I honestly can’t see any difference between a pantomime and a Shakespeare play,its just a load of people remembering to say things without reading them. They don’t even mean it, it’s made up emotions. Which is fine, it’s not for me.

I do think there is snobbery around it – not rugby ruperts etc, but just that you can’t signify class through showy displays of buying stuff, it’s now all about making a thing about your taste. Want to seem like a working class hero even though you’re a VW driving graphic designer? Bang on about football. Want to seem like you’re a bit above everyone? Make a big deal about how much you hate watching sport. just like what you like, no-one cares.

Hello, running has dropped off a bit for me – had an accident last September and taken a bit of time to recover. Looking for a (probably road) 10k or half around Oxfordshire in the Autumn. Where’s the best place to look for a list? I’ve tried Google and some event websites, but there seems to be loads of, presumably, small commercial races like Jon’s Moustache Run (might have made that up). In the olden days it seemed to be clubs organising them in a town, does that just not happen now?

I also suffer with an old floppy Alpkit top tube bag. I have a cut up plastic milk bottle inside as a stiffener, basically cut the top off it and copied the shape so it has a bottom, two sides and the bottle base is against the steerer. Works well, didn’t cost anything

Got to be an acceptable STW fashionista midpoint between Craghoppers and Balenciaga. HebCo slacks for the more money than sense but look like an old man vibe?

Not sure how helpful this is, I’ve been a runner and spectator. Train from Banbury to Marylebone and no hassle on the tube, also used the TFL boat on the river. Having said that, last year I ran it and think my Mrs couldn’t get from cutty sark though the Greenwich tunnel, but otherwise travel on the day to watch was ok. Have tracked/been tracked using the app or Google maps and it makes it easy to see where runners are, but did prep a pace/time/miles sheet to roughly know before hand. We’ve always stopped Sunday night,  but transport seemed like it would be ok to go home

Sorry, not really answering the question but had she got a finger prick monitor as well? I had a stressed out Cub camp where I was worried about battery life before remembering I carried it round with me every day with my hypo stuff. So used to just using my phone I’d forgotten!

(Anker power bank user here, I have two – one light small one and one bigger for charging my phone with glucose monitoring)

Bastard toilet seats. Both of them in our house specifically. Stay fitted properly for a week, then a slowly increasing wobble until it slides sideways spectacularly. But not enough to actually break and need replacing. Then the refit/tighten-up cycle starts again.

If anyone has a recommendation for one that stays put I’d be grateful.

Go to a WSL match? Went to Chelsea v Man U at Stamford Bridge, good atmosphere, no aggro and easy to get tickets.

My youngest daughter was really keen to start playing. I had similar misgivings to the OP – played team sports up to leaving Uni, and go and watch rugby. But I wasn’t a fan of the pushy parent, diving, shouting at the ref side of football. I’m pleased to say at her club, I was totally wrong. She’s playing in an under 10 league, no results are published and the focus is firmly on development. Coaches made it very clear at the start of the season that your kid might be the best player, but at this level everyone gets equal game time. It’s amazing to see how some of the less naturally talented kids have come on through hard work and opportunity, and they’re moving up the league. There’s more emphasis on enjoyment and team building – at one tournament the other teams were going through drills before the first match, our lot were seeing if the whole team would fit on one swing in the park! Usual other positives, learning to lose, take criticism, exercise. It’s great. Other parents are all nice – no hassle there.

I also think it’s really important for her to be good at something that’s hers – she’s not doing it to please us, it’s her own thing

I was in primary school in South Wales at the time, so can’t remember it that well. My grandparents in Garnant in the Amman valley were a miner and the other worked in the colliery canteen. Same with my great uncles. My other grandfather was a miner in South Yorkshire. I can remember them relying on food handouts, and as Ambrose said resentment still lingers towards some local families and Notts workers. It wrecked the community, but on the flip side my grandparents were desperate for their kids not to work in the mines, which they didn’t. I dunno, it’s not a shame that a dangerous dirty job is doesn’t exist any more, but the community never really recovered.

I’ll watch it to refresh my memories of it

Even as a man with a running shoe problem there’s no way I’d wear Pegasus to the office. I’m intrigued what the rest of the ensemble is…

I’ve been wearing Pegasus 3 Goretex trail shoes to work, with jeans. Not sure I’d want to wear them actually running as the heel feels massive.

If I wore the trainers in the OP my mates would take the piss forever. Funny isn’t it, what’s acceptable is determined to an extent by stuff you liked when you were a kid, even 20+ years later.

What’s it for? (no advice to offer sorry, just curious)

I’ll quote my post in the other thread:

After working in a shop, my sympathy for anyone who deals with the public is enormous. One example:  we used to get loads of people coming in asking for a refund on CDs they’d blatantly just copied (early 2000s). They were very insistent about their rights, CDs still had the Woolworths price stickers on them and they had a receipt, how could I be so rude as to refuse them? I worked in an Our Price. Despite pointing out they were in the wrong shop, they’d continue to demand a refund. I learned that the customer is usually wrong, and try and remember that when I’m dealing with customer service now

After working in a shop, my sympathy for anyone who deals with the public is enormous. One example:  we used to get loads of people coming in asking for a refund on CDs they’d blatantly just copied (early 2000s). They were very insistent about their rights, CDs still had the Woolworths price stickers on them and they had a receipt, how could I be so rude as to refuse them? I worked in an Our Price. Despite pointing out they were in the wrong shop, they’d continue to demand a refund. I learnt that the customer is usually wrong, and try and remember that when I’m dealing with customer service now

Cwtch is nice, quite like the marshmallow stout as a morning pint on international day in the Tiny Rebel pub opposite the Millennium Stadium. The hoppy IPAs are all fine, not sure I could tell them apart from any of the other craft cans, other than they taste a bit different depending on how strong they are. The Glazed Ham stout someone mentioned is genuinely one of the worst drinks I’ve ever had, had to tip it down the sink.

Generally a thumbs up, Vocation edge it on consistency, don’t think I’ve had anything from there I don’t like

I’ve got one of those MSR hammers. It’s ace. Total overkill, but wallops pegs in, and pulls them out easily. And looks cool opening beer. Like an ice axe, but actually useful for a goon that’s never going ice climbing. Mine is hanging on a hook in the garage from the cord loop, I use it as a hammer-hammer, not just a tent peg hammer, and general bodging tool. It’s got a hollow handle so can act as an extension/brace for stuff.

In answer to your actual question, I’ve got some plastic screw in pegs I first used with a 90’s Lichfield hiking tent. Still have them, no harm in  a selection for different ground, especially if they’re in a car. Not quicker than normal pegs though.

Back to replies that have nothing to do with your question, my brother in law has a fan that connects to a drill battery. Very useful in their camper for extra cooling, and amazing for starting fires and BBQ.

stumpy01
Full Member
Football.

Snap. I don’t watch it, or play it. My family are all rugby supporters. One of my daughters started this season and has scored loads of goals. Really friendly and supportive parents, not at all what I imagined. I didn’t expect her to be good, other parents asking if she played for another team or with me, which she hasn’t. So it’s unexpected in a good way, also that it’s something she wants to do, not something shes been pushed into

Those that can, understand, those that can’t, can’t and probably wish they either could or that they had the bottle to 👍🏻

It’s pretty cool that despite being older, you’re willing to give it a go. Don’t worry about people think or that they’re judging you.

However I would genuinely cut my feet off rather than go rollerskating (skated for 37 years. Proper skated, as in skateboard). So I’m judging you.

At least it’s not a scooter though.

Wordle 843 1/6

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

It’s been my starting word since I first played it, will have to change it now!

At my fittest I was running 3 or 4 times a week, usually 10 miles, and could easily knock off 50/60 mile road rides. I played 5 a side football and couldn’t sit on the bog or walk downstairs, my legs were so sore. Realised I was some sort of reverse-crab, and could only move in a forward direction, not sideways.

Cut the hedge recently and couldn’t lift my arms up afterwards. I wish I had farm/garden strength instead of middle class keyboard skills

Well, cooked them and ate a bit Seems fineeeee urrrgghhh arrgh my gutss,……

☠️☠️☠️☠️

Yeah, not really, might give them a miss

Dog piss is my biggest concern, ironically I picked the walking back from the CoOp

Mainly just needs good organisational, communication and people management skills (working with people, not lording it over them). Also need be self confident (or in my case, good at faking it)  and be able to give the impression of not getting fazed when things are going pear shaped

I work in medical/academic libraries. Sums up how I feel about my role TBH. Surprises me whenever we get applications where people say they love books. Very little book use in my sector, it’s all online, mostly journals and publishing research. Need an MA/MSc to get a professional post, but that feels like an artificial barrier, experience and attitude is really more important. But how do you get experience without the qualification….

http://www.ikigailiving.co.uk Japanese shop in Leamington, not sure they’d have anything as it’s mostly homeware/Studio Ghibli, but might know someone who does similar stuff with paper – they host workshops so may have contacts

Jumping on this (sorry OP) but any recommendations for a wide mat? I’ve got a neoair which is light and small, but I spend most of the night half off it. More likely to be used car camping/sleeping on people’s floors so cheaper is more important than weight

Dunno how helpful this is, but don’t underestimate how cold it could be. We went from 40 C forest fires in Aus to snow in Osaka in February when we went. I struggled for clothes to fit me at 6ft, so couldn’t pick up much. I’d go warm quilt so you can sleep out of it, maybe cheap Snugpack for hostels

Anyone running the London marathon? I’ve entered the ballot every year for 18 years and got in this time. Training has been ok but, for various reasons, I’m super slow, so expecting 5 hours plus. Currently have a cold, which is annoying but at least it’s now, not in two weeks!

Reckon the Wales players will go on strike? Got a ticket to the match but feels a bit grubby supporting the WRU rather than the team, so not sure I’d be gutted if they went ahead and walked out TBH.

Any recommendations for a run commute/mountain marathon bag? I’ve had an OMM classic 32 for about 10 years which is on its last legs. My commute involves a train journey, so I tend to have a lot of bulky stuff – full on winter down jacket, waterproof coat, tracky bottoms etc. for waiting at the station after a run. And a laptop if I can’t avoid it, and work clothes.

My OMM bag is fine, but I’ve got a smaller inov8 vest style bag which is more stable, easy access pockets on the harness etc. And no hip belt, which are always just under my ribs and annoying.

Tempted to try one of the Ultimate Direction 30l fastpacks, as it’s got a vest harness and a big capacity. Anything similar I should look at?

Not tempted so far, convince me! I’ve already got a saucepan (or a roasting tin) and a blender. We make lots of soups this time of year, no effort – minimal washing up. What advantage would a dedicated gadget give me? Not having a pop, genuinely curious.

This. I tend to make two different types of soup at once for my family of 5, then it gets used for lunches for a day or two after, as well. It’s quite a large quantity. It takes 2 saucepans and a blender and a few minutes peeling and chopping. It’s not exactly complicated or onerous enough to need a gadget.

However, if the gadget could peel all the veg, dispose of the waste, cook the soup, clean itself and make croutons… 😀

I think for me, it’s the idea of having a decent, healthy-ish lunch to take to work, sorted out as part of getting ready in the morning rather than cooking the night before etc. Minimising effort. making gravy with it sounds like an added bonus

Cynical, manipulative nonsense every year. Well, that’s my usual attitude to these Xmas “event” adverts

As a middle aged, bad skateboarding, adoptive dad it really reminded me of my 2 kids moving in with us. I think it’s lovely.

Big respect to you Johndoh, and your family. I wouldn’t have my girls if it wasn’t for foster carers like you

This is the 18th year in a row I’ve entered, and amazingly I got in this time. Not really sure what to think about it as just assumed I wouldn’t get a place and enter our of habit. TBH I’ve eased off running over the last few months, so better get back on it.

My kids got me a Greggs T-shirt from there for my birthday. Well, I say they got it, they made their mum get it for me. She didn’t need much persuading as she thinks it’s **** hilarious.

They keep asking me why I don’t wear it.

It’s 10 mins of google for people with the same name as the Director of the examining board my kid has so it’s a bit of a piss-take unless anyone wants to look deeper.

No worries, just checking if you’d deliberately mixed up cancer nurses and publishers, and were, umm, lying.

Sorry, I’m assuming the Kearton stuff is a very dry piss take of conspiracy theories, as

..and a Richard Kearton on the board of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS trust pushing a publishers agenda…??

is obviously talking about Macmillan cancer nurses in those minutes? (well played if it is)

This is mine. My dad won it when he bought a washing machine, he’s about 4 inches shorter than me so it’s a bit small, I added the rack and shopping basket. Also has crappy panniers most of the time.

I’ve spent zero on it. And would be annoyed if it got nicked.