I think he died a while ago :( – the actor.

Been a sad year for Archers actors with Roy Tucker as well…

Just my view… as the owner of one dog for 16 years, then two dogs for 13 years…

I would go back to one dog, I feel that I can’t quite give either of mine the attention that they (or I) would like.

BUT I have two very active dogs, it worked really well for the first 7 or 8 years. They kept each other company, and looking after two well matched dogs is very similar to having one. Then sadly one was diagnosed with quite serious ligament issues aged 8, and has been relatively limited in her activity since. So with even the best plans to match your dogs up… I feel that both of mine have lived a slightly ‘compromised’ life in the last 5 years, as I try to accommodate their very different needs.

Just keep this possibility in mind, things don’t always go to plan and are you able to cater for two very different dogs? (this can happen even when you don’t intend it to).

Its getting easier again now as they are both aging.

I’m sure I’ve seen a blinking lizard…

;)

Clackmannanshire: 4 wheelie bins + glass box + food caddy (small electricals can be left with the glass box)

• Green WB – general waste
• Brown WB – garden waste
• Blue WB – mixed recycling (no paper, card or glass)
• Grey WB – cardboard
• Blue box – glass
• Blue box – small electricals
• Food caddy

We live on a hill, and only have a small flat area for bin storage. The forth wheelie bin (grey) only got left last week, i need to rejig my storage!

As above… keep going with the banks.

My mum fell for exactly the same “Mum, ive broken my phone” scam… she only realised when I spoke to her the next day and didn’t thank her for the money!!

The bank refunded her in full. I think she also reported it to the police.

However as a side effect, she now has trouble transferring money for real (for nephews / nieces birthdays) I think she must be on some sort of “at risk of scam” register at the bank, but I’d rather that, than have her get caught out again.

Another vote for a crate (or full height). It’s effectively a seat belt for the dog.

I always worry about being hit from behind in motorway traffic. If the boot pops, I’d hate the idea of my frightened dog loose in motorway traffic 😔. Also most car crates have an escape hatch at the back incase the boot can’t open.

Guess it depends how much driving you do with them.

If you end up with holes to fill in the tiles, then a coat a close colour match nail varnish, on top of the filler, makes them almost invisible (even white – it just gives the gloss).

My useless bit of information for the day…

Just done similar (partial stud wall). I also changed from a central light to 5 spots – with one above the shower enclosure. I was nervous that it might make the room / shower feel dark or small – but it really doesn’t. Shower feels bright and very solid.

I beefed out the stud wall slightly to build an alcove into it. Actually built alcoves showing from each side – one in the shower for storage, one into bathroom as a feature with a plant. But as you will have 320 wall / 440 stud it might not work (aesthetically).

EDIT – ^ like the glass blocks idea too…

Doh…

Sorry – I ‘read’ that page, the whole list of properties, but missed the big words at the top!

Has anyone checked to see if these are accepted in Scotland.

I know the the NT and the NTS have a reciprical agreement to allow membership cards to be used… but can’t find anything relating to this offer.

I have to assume it wouldn’t be 😞

Are you laying it yourselves?

As a (very) amateur DIYer I have laid both in the recent past. Solid wood using hidden nails and engineered that had a ‘click’ system. Both with an underlay sheet and removing skirting.

Personally – the engineered floor was easier to lay, thinner (so I didn’t need to shave doors) and looks great. The solid wood was (in my mind) more authentic, but doesn’t look quite as ‘neat’.

I bought both online using a couple of websites to compare and ordering a load of free sample (sometimes its only X number allowed – but you can do it multiple times) to try and get the colour and finish that I wanted.

Not sure of a technically correct answer – but I will go engineered again next time.

EDIT – cost was about £45 – £50 m2 (including underlay). Took me about a day to do a room – but that’s very slow, and lots of tea breaks!

Yes but… no but…

Vstrom 650 here, so wasn’t going to reply, but hey it’s STW so just talk about what you have, ignore the question totally 😉

Incredibly comfy, I really like the riding position on the road, and it’s capable on gravel. Definitely recommend swapping out the screen for a givi airflow.

I am a 5’6 slim 50 year old female, so went 650 as I was wary of the height and weight of the bike. But now also looking to move onto the 1050.

I did it 10 years ago (aged 40).
Like you said – rode a lot in the lead up, a few 100 mile days, so I knew I could do it. Honestly I really enjoyed it, but was lucky – a good bunch of people and descent weather.

What I learnt:
Take a few different types of shorts (differing pads / fits) I did this and my bum survived, but some folk were on double shorts by the end.
Use Chammy cream.
Take care in the wet – I misjudged a corner in the rain and hit a dry stone wall. Luckily managed to borrow a wheel and limp to the nearest bike shop… but then had a long, lonely catch up solo ride for the rest of the day (and very lucky to escape with just cuts and bruises).
Take it easy – you get fitter on the ride as long as you don’t break yourself in the first few days.
Enjoy the journey – you maybe won’t do it again, and it is easy to focus on the end point, instead of the actual days route.

6? I can see 7, and the greens appear to be numbered upto 9 (with 2 out of shot??)

But yes, another vote here for welding the gates shut!

My mum got caught with this… I never thought that she would be so naïve, but she honestly thought that I was in trouble and transferred £2k to a random bank account.

She only checked with me when I apparently asked for another £2k without saying thank you.

Its worth just making sure that any elderly relatives are aware… you don’t think that they would fall for it – until they do.

We now have a code word set up for any financial / sensitive conversations – such a shame.

Definitely in. I’ve loved it the last two years. Really gets me thinking about how to fit exercise into my daily life.

Looking forward to it 😀

I’ve been wondering about this recently. There’s a track near me that runs along the hills and goes past a couple of farms (not through the yards, just past). For those that know the Ochils type area it’s the track from Harviestoun Home Farm to Dollarbeg Farm, gate is at about NS946982.

Dollarbank Farm I think.

I’ve wondered about this too, as far as I know it was the old hill road to Dollar. I certainly lift my bike over the gate… but haven’t seen a sign. That must be a more recent addition? I have bumped into the farmer at Dollarbank, and he was happy enough to see me pass by.

Depends on the product category and the volume sales.

For low volume I have to achieve 50% margin, so double cost plus VAT. Or x2.4.
So for £18 retail we would pay £7.50.

If I am confident of driving a significant increase in volume I can lower my achievable margin, but my bottom line is 40%, so cost x2.

Some product groups (food) have a lower margin expectation.

I am a buyer for a national group of retail stores, but probably not in the same industry as you, so it may vary…

I have a dog with weak ligaments / prone to injury. I keep looking at these…

http://vildmark.co.uk/equipment/reviews/fido-pro-airlift-harness-dog-rescue-harness/

Yes please 👍

Depends…

Dogs in the car – heat off, coat on (they over heat more easily than me)

On my own – heat on, coat off

Going to need fuel early in the journey – start with coat on, switch after filling.

Its good to mix things up ;)

Not allowed to carry over (unless a booked holiday straddles the year)

Not allowed to buy holiday.

Years ago (when I joined) the company offered additional days holiday for long service. This is no longer a part of new contracts and the company actively try to buy back holiday from those who have accrued over 35 days.

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/painting-kitchen-cupboards/

Blooming heck – 7 years ago. I’ve been on here too long!

Bookmarked.

Seem to remember it was advised to use a roller to pint them with…

Keep meaning to look back, there was an old thread on here with loads of good advice…

I’m in. Struggled last year due to the amount of foreign travel (work) I was doing.

So no excuses this year…

His bed will be on the floor, but knowing him he’ll wanting to look out so won’t stay on the floor.

Yeah, sorry – I meant to bring it upto the same height as the seat. I’ve got a nervous traveler who stares at the foot well as if it’s a great abyss. If I fill it up she chills a bit… and can turn around without losing a foot if I brake at the same time.

My other mutt doesn’t give a monkeys – so just depends on their attitude.

And consider stuffing the foot well with something. Old blankets/pillows, dog bed, anything (you can put stuff in an old duvet cover to keep it clean). Just gives them a bit more space to lay down / turn around (while still tethered to the headrest / seat belt).

Which version are you watching?

I loved the Scandi one, but recently saw and American version,same plot but Bridge across the Americas, and really struggled with it. It was also called ‘The Bridge’

The UK version (The tunnel) was ok ish…

^ haven’t seen Der Pass… might give it a go sometime 👍

This happened to me, 3 days before the move date, and in Scotland (don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen here… missives are now often signed close to moving)

I juggled my packing, put most of my stuff in storage and moved into a rented place. Very stressful at the time, but once the dust settled I was in a great position to buy and bought my current house at 30k below asking.

Take a breath, look at the options. But my advice is to try and buy yourself some space. I’ve ended up with a better house in a nicer position… but with no kids it was easier for me. Good luck.

By coincidence I was wondering the same… As I cycled up Dunning Glen on Saturday a couple were loading mtb’s onto a land rover. They’d come out from that side. I’ve only walked there previously and haven’t explored.

If you want to send me a GPX of the route you are considering I’ll go and have a look / take photos. (I’m less than 5 miles away 😀). It won’t be today, but can do it one evening this week 👍

EDIT: That makes me sound really lazy. I haven’t explored as it is road for me upto the glen, and I usually mountain bike with my dogs, so have more convenient routes on my doorstep. Happy to go explore though as it could then link up through Glen Sherrup and open up more trails for me.

Yep Restricted unless it’s a life.

In the real world it’s not really an issue unles your in the habit of being a bellend.

I honestly don’t consider myself a bellend 🤔 although obviously your view may differ…

But twice been pulled out of a stream of traffic travelling at 58 / 60 mph on an A road. Slightly embarrassing that it happened twice, but thought it was just really unlucky first time round. Now I’m the annoying person at the front of the traffic queue going 10mph slower than everyone else wants to be going 🙄

That might not bother you but worth acknowledging that it can be an issue.

So go on… flame away…

I got a good deal on a used Novacraft Prospector 16, and it has been ideal for the job

I know of a very well looked after Novacraft Prospector for sale in central Scotland. If you are interested and based in Scotland then drop me a PM for more details.

Both 🌻

The tall ones are cool and ‘proper’ sunflowers, but the bottom of the stems can be bare and ugly. So plant the smaller multi headed ones in front. Double sunflower 🙂

Lovely photos. Thank you.

Sharon

Shaz for short.

I sold a house with damp… not because of the damp!

I had a survey done by a local ‘renovation’ specialist and gave it to interested buyers, then accepted that they would knock it off the price. I did this to stop the buyers getting ridiculous quotes from the National companies. I was genuinely surprised how reasonable it would be been to have some simple treatments, wish I had done it earlier… I’m trying to say find a recommended local company, get a quote and negotiate. The seller will be expecting it (I was proactive as in Scotland and home report flagged it)

Living in a house with damp is about heating and ventilation (as above). The only visible spots inside were behind the heavy door curtains and a kitchen unit, although other walls showed up on the meter. Research which paints to use etc. My house never felt cold or damp, but as with all old houses with solid walls, it took a while to heat up. I didn’t have mains gas, so heating was expensive and I relied on wood burners much of the time. It was an expensive home to run / maintain, but never felt cold / damp / miserable – in fact the opposite as it had so much character. I was sad to move.

I have a Caravan stored. Luckily I do have room on my drive… but that means my car is on the street (and a bit in the way of neighbours), so when not use I store it.

Storage is between work and home, I leave the basics in the van so that I can hitch up after work on a Friday and go. Equally I can drop it back on a Monday morning. Things I can think of which might be a problem…

Storage access hours – it took me a while to find somewhere with good access times, some are only ‘daylight hour’s which is a PITA in winter.

Charging – the caravan charges as it’s towed, but if I’m staying off grid then I prefer to bring it home and plug it in over night. I usually do that after a trip, so that it is ready to go next time.

Packing – it’s always going to be an advantage if you can park at home overnight, especially when you get home as you want to empty / clean everything.

Cost – you pay for places with good access / light it isn’t cheap… I pay about £300 per year and that’s central Scotland, might be more further south.

For me it works well just now (love the freedom of the caravan and storage makes it possible), but in the long term I am thinking of widening the drive, as keeping it at home is always going to be the ‘best’ option.

If you are staying at sites I imagine it would be easier as you don’t need to worry so much about power / waste disposal, but I tend to stay off grid most of the time.

Just a bit of an update from me…

I dropped off the thread when I missed a few days through working away. But I had already felt the benefits of doing something daily, and I had started to enjoy the running, just felt that I needed to pace myself better. I used to run 15 years ago (a couple of mountain marathons), but had done very little since

So I just carried on and to pace myself I decided to follow a ‘Garmin coach’ half marathon plan. Then I figured that I may as well enter one (Alloa – in March). With that in mind I decided to give it a real shot (I’ll be 49 next year) so entered a marathon in August (Run Mhor) in the hope to be fit as I hit 50!

So although I missed a few days early on, I’m really grateful to this thread for getting me out and starting me running. I know it sounds daft, but once I’m out there it is a great way to spend an hour on a wet, dark evening, and makes me feel so much better in myself.

Thanks all :)

Another newbie (nearly 50) here…

Currently running 10k fairly regularly, my first half will be Alloa in March, then Mhor half in June and my first full marathon – Run Mhor – in August. Not sure if that’s too ambitious, but will just be running everything to ‘get round’ rather than aiming for a time. My training for the marathon will start after Alloa half, with the Mhor half just giving me a taste of the Mhor route… Presently using Garmin coach training plan for the half.

Again any tips useful :)

I would second the above (but keeping an eye on this thread as it would be nice to find some good fitting women’s mob trousers)

I don’t (generally) wear pads, and wanted something that I would be happy to walk around in (cafe stops, riding to shops etc), I don’t really do ‘gnarr’ so wanted trousers for general mtb duties plus some back road riding / gentle touring.

Soft shell walking trousers have been great. Fit well, plenty of stretch, close fitting for the road bike, dry quickly. Mine are mammut. Have alternated two pairs over the last 5 years. They are wearing thin on the bum now, but would replace with similar I think.