Came across this one in the alpkit store the other day, very similar to an old bbb tool I liked/have (bbb dont seem to do it any more.)

Sonder Trailside 20

Vw called it a transport hitch for the id3. Not for towing. Can put a towbar bike rack on it and i’m assuming you could also put one of those transport type boxes on. No roof rack or bars allowed on id3.

HMRC advisory fuel rates

As a heads up, Ev rate changed as of 1st December 2022 for company cars from 5p/mile to 8p/mile

Looks like they are extending/improving the bikes on bus scheme from various places which could help with logistics to/from various places to the scottish West Coast. It suggests a better booking/confirmation system however possibly limited to 2 bikes per bus.

Stagecoach/Citylink Routes to be included in the service are:

917: Inverness / Portree
919: Inverness / Fort William
961: Inverness / Ullapool
914: Fort William / Glasgow
915: Uig / Fort William / Glasgow
916: Uig / Fort William / Glasgow

https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/15052/bikes_on_buses_scheme_extended_to_meet_demand

From what i read i recon either will work with a little tweak of set up if required, just want to make sure I get it as spot on from the start if going with ti. I guess large may have better resale market should I ever wish to part with it.

Also musing the benefit v cost of ti for the camino (also considering ribble cgr) against the alu. Having never riden one it’s only from what i have read. Got a alu giant defy to compare against.

I had been looking at this when covid kicked in. Just been looking at it again with a “quick” version due to restricted holiday availability doing it over 5 days including travel, essentially 3 days of 60 miles

Day one – ferry to Barra, possibly some riding on evening depending on accommodation.

Day 2 Barra to Berneray

Day 3 Berneray to Callanish

Day 4 – Callanish to Butt and back to Stornoway (possibility of shuttle dependong on time to meet ferry) and travel home.

Likely influenced by accommodation, possibility of camping opens opportunities bit heavier bike.

Probably a bit rushed but looks to be best balance I can make with restricted time. Also looked at 4 day option but again even more restricted to see things.

Ideally would like to do early May before midge season but not sure it’s possible for friends to get annual leave then (teacher). Other option was early August, although im oncerned regards midges then, should I be? How bad would they be then?

Thanks, will resasses our plans

I’d be up for a bit more Chubb club, got waylaid by a knee injury after a good start to the year. Just coming out the other end hopefully so planning to get back on the wagon for a planned cycle event in August.

I’ve used mfp over several years. Just use the free version and as a general guide for calories in calories burnt. Generally more about awareness of what calories are actually in items and portion control. I don’t get caught up with the macro nutrients etc and it has worked for me. When I’ve stopped in the past, I slowly drift to bad habits and gradually over indulge.

Never been bothered by ads etc.

I’m in, started well last year then covid kicked in and went completely downhill from there. Need to get back on the bike as just lost the mojo for it over the past few years so have to make the effort this year. Need the kick up the backside and some accountability so this all helps.

Worth checking out some of the energiser headtorches, had various outdoor brands in the past and bang for buck energiser are very good with higher outputs than some of the outdoor brands.

Got a couple of vision hd+ as my go to head torch, 350ish lumen output (think there is a 400 lumen model now) running on 3xAAA. Think they were around £15 or so from memory and came with batteries which seemed good value and best option when I was looking.

Edit: from a quick search https://www.batterystation.co.uk/energizer-vision-hd-focus-led-headlight-315-lumens-batteries-included/ 400 lumens (ignore the 315 reference in the title) for £12.74 delivered not to be sniffed at….

Long story short and trying to keep it fairly simple, i’m looking at combining two systems, incorporating an annex into the main house. Currently have a gas boiler with a vented system that provides the central heating throughout both and got water to main house. Boiler is old and is due to be replaced imminently. There’s a second hot water tank that is electrically heated for the annex.

Looking at a new unvented system boiler to a new single tank that will cover the heatimg and water for both all from the gas.

Guess it makes sense to add the second coil at this stage if it doesnt cost much more. Gives the option to add solar thermal later, if not then not significant outlay. Assume savings compared to gas not as good compared to oil/elec therefore longer payback period for any investment but don’t know what sort of factor of difference?

Hadn’t thought on PV, can that just tie direct into immersa element or does it generally back feed into the grid?

Had wondered about the covid grant scheme but doesn’t cover Scotland as far as I’m aware….??

Could save yourself the hassle of a build and buy my inlaws place in Dulnain Bridge near Grantown on Spey, Ideal for a family and ideally suited for Inverness/Elgin coastal commute and Cairngorm mountains on your doorstep :)
***end shameless plug***

Cherry Cottage, Skye of Curr Road, Dulnain Bridge

Locked out of sight is the best n amongst locks but some fishing line tied discretely to the bike with the other end to the pin on a hidden rape alarm. If they move it with out seeing the line, off goes the alarm…..

My fixed deal ends at the end if the month, any good deals about that should be considered?

We have wind deflectors and crack windows, usually sufficient but through winter a bit more chalenging with trying to balance keeping the heat in and preventing drafts. Also much more moisture about from footwear/clothes etc.

We use these usb charged lights in the van. Ideal with variable power/light settings, can clip where you want and can be used as a torch on the midnight toilet run. Ideal as a reading/activity light once the kids are sleeping and don’t need to use the main lights.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F351284163065

Any recommendations on the dehumidification? Using the little “internal”use once dehumidifiers but needing something a bit more effective in the damper weather…

Just had a sliding patio door replaced in a 1980’s bungalow. What we forgot to take into consideration was the cavity wall that had been filled with polystyrene balls by the previous owner, aparently it was as if a white christmas had came early throughout the kitchen when the old door was removed! (I was fortunately? at work!)

Looking at getting windows don next year, any top tips to avoid a repeat snow storm and contain the polystyrene balls?

Beachcraft spirits rum

Another batch of spiced rum and intense rum produced by my mate at beachcraft spirits. Ideal for a wee festive tipple or two!

got a bunch of these round the house. They use 2No 18650 cells which you can always top up if in a shady areas, only had to do it on one which is located under a gutter on the north side of the house. Couple of different setting for motion activation/low light all night. Went for them for ease of use and install. Seems pretty robust and produce plenty light. They do smaller versions as well which can be handy for paths etc

https://www.7dayshop.com/products/7dayshop-large-54-led-outdoor-waterproof-garden-pir-motion-sensor-solar-recharged-security-3-mode-led-wall-light-ds-305

worth checking out https://www.beachcraftspirits.co.uk which is a relatively new craft rum distillery in Northern Scotland that are just getting themselves established. Had a few sampling sessions and can confirm they are very good.

How much of a difference does it make insulating the floor? Obviously heat rises so my thoughts would be insulate the loft first then the wall, windows, doors etc then a maybe the floor but never knew if it was worth the hassle….?

Mira do the jump and sport in multi fit which would save any pipe changes.

Any other brands/models to check or are mira the best?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJSFh5yeNjo only in japan!

http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=category&url=bag-fixings

i picked up one of teh ones that connects to your seat rails for bike packing but haven’t used it in earnest yet….might be an option depending how much you want to transport

Some interesting pointers about tennants and the Rent Guarantee insurance. I guess the tennant essentialy either makes or breaks it as long as the rental/mortgage numbers add up. We would only be a a mile away so fairly handy for inspections/maintenance etc. and keeping an eye on things.

I believe a letting agent would certainly be an advantage in the first instance to keep us on track with the legal requirements etc but assuming you get a good tennant then we’d be paying for not a lot (until the poop hit the fan!)

Regarding Capital gains tax is the base line the value of the house at the point that it becomes your second home or the value of the house after 18 months after it becomes your second home that it starts applying?

Once got asked while backpacking abroad if i ever got lost while travelling – response “Never, however I sometimes take the scenic or adventerous route for a change!”

Speak to the guys at base camp bikes at the on the Square, they’ll give you a good idea of when to ride. Here’s a wee vid of the local trail centre I made not long after it opened. Short and sweet would be a fair description. Not been down for a good while now so don’t know how much is changed. Fair bit of singletrackworld to be had in the surrounding woods.

Rape alarm with some fishing line tied to the pull out pin. Other end tied to the bike. Bike moves alarm goes off. Or put the alarm on the bike with line tied off to something solid. Alarm would then be with the bike for immediate term tracking (until they figured out what was going on)…cheap and simple deterrent which may stop them in there tracks due to the noise. ..

have an FT1 panasonic lumix although there are now a few models since that one. Great little camera, had some cracking pics and video from it. I would certainly look at whatever the newer models are when it comes to replacing it (assuming it dies or just fancy an upgrade).

typical, order was placed and just been informed they are out of stock….time to look for another source

Lots of pointers, we’re booked to go so will go with an open mind and make the most of it. Will be good just to have a break and get away from the daily rat race. Life just seems to get busier as you get older (early 30’s!

I understand that during the school holidays prices go mental but fortuantely for now we have a bit of flexibility :)

just taken the plunge again with geoffj’s link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blueskysea-SJCAM-Camcorder-unterwasser-Helmkamera/dp/B00R74JMEM

fingers crossed this one is legit and has timelapse :)

oscillate – good choice of card, never had any problems with sandisc cards. should do the job for you nicely

oscillate – remember its a micro sd card – not the standard size one…. Sandisc 32GB class 10 with SD card adapter was around £12 from play.com if i remember correctly…

the camera i received from accmart won’t update to the latest firmaware on teh SJ website and won’t do timelapse so think its a fake – although housing etc appear to be legit….anywho going to send it back and might take a punt on another one as was looking for the timelaspe function…

We have a summer “something or other” video monitor, one of the best buys for the wee fella. Good day and night vision. The abiility to see what he is up to during a a cry/moan to see if he will stay settle without potentially diturbing him by going into the room is excellent. Didnt bother with the pressure mats / other sensors, think you’d end up paranoid.

As for using ipad/phone etc, seems an expensive baby monitor. Could sell them both, buy a monitor and use the spare money on some toys for yourself ;)

Already have monitors, keyboard, speakers etc so 5-600 was for the tower and operating system essentially.

Considered attempting a build myself but have next to zero IT hardware skills. Have heard it isn’t actually that difficult.

Some good links, will follow them up and have to decide which route to go down…Is a self build fairly straight forward?

Picked up a sj4000 from accmart. Firmware was 20141122v02. After a fair bit of reading it looks as though that firmware isn’t currently updatable and the camera needs specifically the original firmware to work. I tried updating with various FW versions but to no avail (also got the double sparkle sound of on and off with black screen). Once i reinstalled the original firmware it came back to life. I have a copy if anyone needs it.

Was hoping to use the timelapse function but this versions doesn’t seem to have it and doesn’t look like it will be upgradable unfortunately :( unless of course i am mistaken…..

maybe one for the evening crowd….