We were given a copy of “What to expect in the first year”. We didn’t bother with it until 2 weeks or so after ours came along. If we had read the first 2 chapters before that we may have avoided 2 calls to NHS24 and a trip to hospital! It’s set out really well with questions and answers rather than preaching, it’s heavy on breast feeding tho’. Just use it to take what you need rather than as a set of rules.

All kids are different, listen to all advice but do what is best for you and your baby.

As others have said, take help when it is offered. Don’t be afraid to sleep in the middle of the day when you get a chance.

The first 6 weeks will probably be a blur, but remember that it will get easier/better!

And most of all being a dad is ace!!!

My vote is “mega-python vs Gataroid” starring Tiffany. They feed alligators steroids to combat giant, nae mega sized pythons. That’s right! Stinker.

Wouldn’t mind have a try of that whisky tho’!

It’s looking like Balblair or Golspie would be better choices anyway! Had a look at a few videos and Golspie is looking like a winner at the moment!

Thanks tiggs, from the look of the map you are right, without blue or black there is nowt. Not sure it will cut it for a visit if it’s only the blue available. I’ll be up that way again so will take it on when it’s all available.

Building on andrewh’s…

What’s got 2 legs, spots and bleeds..?

Half a leapard!

Binners – that’s an often mentioned bit of trivia. Never tried it myself, don’t have a crossbow you see! Think modern day laws may take precedence..?

Chester born and bred here and always considered it to be the North West. Definitely NOT the Midlands. No way Jose! And you get gravy in the chippy. Can’t beat chips n gravy. And bitter in the pubs. So there.

My absolute favourite has to be “boil the ocean” as in “let’s not boil the ocean here”.

Anyone who uses “synergies” in a serious way should have a long hard look at themselves.

And the annoying use of the word “right?” at the end of every sentance to try and muster a response to indicate that they are indeed correct or thinking that they are not correct is wrong. Words fail me………..

I really rate my set of Trail spd’s – I can really feel the extra contact and for me are better than spd’s without the plate. Couldn’t say that I notice the weight difference at all!

recently went through this myself!

If you look through the axel with the QR skewer out you will see that the ends are hex shaped rather than rounded – slip a 5 mil allen key in each end and twist.

The diappointing thing about going to 15mm bolt-thru is that the new cups just seem to sit on the bearings. Fine if you have the wheel on, but easy to fall out when transporting with wheel off etc…

Hope 4 on flash mode at the front and a Cherry Bomb on flash mode on the back. All commuting on lit roads.

I would rather been seen from afar – I don’t trust half-asleep drivers in the morning or those in a rush to get home in the evening. Never caused a problem for other road users as far as I can tell, never had anyone flash or shout at me.

micro filter on at the broadband connection. Acquired another for the phone (router and house phone in diff rooms so diff junction boxes) and that seems to have got rid of the static.

Never used a micro filter with the old phone and that never had static. CAn’t figure that one out. But seems to be sorted.

More than happy to oblige! Took advantage of such an offer a few months back. XL 5-Spot with pretty much full XTR Trail, wheels are Hope Pro III with DT Swiss rims, Chris King headset, 15QR 140 32 Talas forks, Thomson stem and seat post, Haven carbon bars. Don’t know what the exact weight is but it feels surprisingly light to me

Took my 2010 XL 5-Spot (with 140 32’s) out for it’s first ride on Saturday. All I can say is that it was ace. Pro-pedal off and could not feel any bob at all. Probably running the shock a little bit soft, but it seemed to work for me. Tracked perfectly up the hills and through the mud and didn’t at any stage feel as though I was going to be pitched over the bars coming down hill.

Only the first ride mind – I was worried that I wasn’t going to like it – so need to ride it more and in different environments to see what it can do, but as they say, first impressions count, and mine were fantastic!

Blummin’ great bike so far toons. No doubt that the bike is more capable than I am that’s for sure. But I look forward to trying to do it (and me) justice!

If you like Aphex Twin you should check out Surfing on Sine Waves by Polygon Window. It’s one of Warp’s releases as part of the Artificial Intelligence series.

Haven’t listened to it in ages but getting slight goosebumps thinking about playing it LOUD!

The dreaded compentency based questions…

One of our stock questions is: “Tell me about a time when you failed to form consensus or cohesion across a team or department”

Quite a curve ball for most candidates as they are expecting questions where they can talk themselves up. In fact they still can, but it makes them think on their feet. I’ve been asked the question and asked it a few times myself.

Another recommendation for The Bike Chain in Edinburgh. Great shop with great staff.

Also have to mention Basecamp Bikes at Laggan. They saved the start of my stag weekend! Turned up from Edinburgh and realised that I had forgotten my SPD shoes. They kindly lent me a pair of flat pedals. And also allowed me access to their first aid kit when I picked up some nasty trail rash. Service above and beyond! Excellent.

ex-army gore-tex trousers from eBay for £12, cut off at the knee. Cheap as you like, as waterproof as you expect from gore-tex and worth a punt for that cash?

Certainly has – http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/psa-xt-m785-brakes

First time I did the black a few years ago I thought it was very hard -physically rather than technically. I’ve become fitter since so it is a lot more enjoyable. It is probably a black for the physical effort required rather than skill. Although some parts of it do require commitment – Wormhole, The Bitch etc… There is alot of climbing but only one reallllly steep section the rest is a case of putting in the granny ring and riding away. Quite theraputic really!

It has more of a remote feel than the red in that it takes you higher, and you will see less people. Feels more like a big day out than a trail centre trail. The Boundary Trail and Britney Spears are just ace. So much fun. There are bits that I forget about every time I ride it and it is always a pleasure to rediscover them.

However, I will always, always take Good Game down as the last descent rather than the traditional red/black last section.

Go ride it. It’s ace.

There is more than an element of the Danny character being a wise guy smart alec. Made me chuckle on first viewing with more cringing on second. Nothing wrong with questioning authority – we shouldn’t have to blindly do what we are told.

that’s not a bad suggestion mt but one I think that may end up with me in the dog house.

I like the sound of Malham Cove, Goredale Scar and the waterfall. Could probably fit in a pub lunch as well!

I’m with NorthWind. Can’t think of a more upligting, make you itch to get out on your bike, soulful film than Home.

I did both my wrists on my first ever days snowboarding. Not so cool. Since then I wouldn’t dream of strapping a board on without wrist guards.

Flexmeter’s are cracking

http://www.alpsgear.co.uk/flexmeter-wrist-guards/17-flexmeter-wrist-guards.html

You can get them built-in in a glove as well. But the gloves are not waterproof and they develop an all mighty whiff (friend had the same gloves and the same experience!). But last year I swapped to the strap-on guards and wear my own gloves. They are great pieces of kit and designed by a doctor treating injuries in the alps.

http://www.ski-injury.com/prevention/wrist_guards

Not sure about using them for biking but I don’t see why not.

never heard of the Gaick, according to ukattraction.com ” Beware of demons and dark spirits however – the Gaick is said to be cursed”

Tell me more StirlingCrispn! Where from? How long? Etc…

I wouldn’t fancy riding for any amount of time on the A9!

Thanks Druidh. Great report.

I was thinking about riding the section from Pitlochry to Dalwhinne, being dropped off and collected by the wife on the way to the in-laws but on to Aviemore or maybe Inverness could be more of a fuller day out option.

The Pentlands will be right on your doorstep. Plenty of riding to be done there.

I’m in. Currently full of a cold so may well have to drag my sorry self around the course.

Hopefully there won’t be too much snow!

About 570ft (173m)in 5 miles. Easy on the way in. Slightly harder on the way back! All good training I say.

Glorious sunshine here in the Pentlands, even nicer than yesterday. Off out for the second quick blast of the weekend. May even leave the backpack at home…

I’m with supersessions9-2. Rode Snowdon back in ’90 or ’91 in the snow on a first generation Kona Kilauea, fully rigid with Project II forks and canties. Mind you, when it got hairy (when the snow clung to the brake blocks and froze to the point of uselessness) it was good to be able to throw yourself into a bank of snow to slow down.

In summary, eminently do-able!

Got one of these as a wedding present and it is a thing of sturdy beauty (if I am permitted to say such a thing about a frying pan…)

http://www.lecreuset.co.uk/Product-Range-uk/3-ply-Stainless-Steel/Non-Stick-Products/Non-stick-Frying-Pan-28cm/

Should last a lifetime – absolutely no, I repeat no, metal objects allowed anywhere near the inside of it!

NiteRider Cherry Bomb is da bomb!

One of the most amazing pieces of art I have seen is a marble sculpture in the Prado – it was a bust of a woman wearing a veil. Doesn’t sound amazing but how the artist managed to sculpt it from marble so that you could see the facial features below the veil is a mystery and a wonder. I can’t remember who the artist was though!

Thanks Hels. Still sounding like a event I want to have a crack at – is the field the same size as the enduro?

Best get training now!

thanks cynic-al. Sounds like just the thing. See if I can beat my placing from yesterday.

i’ll be there. No idea what to expect, should be good fun though. For me I think it will be more about the taking part than the competing!