Sounds a similar story to this place in Bristol

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/features/remarkable-story-bristol-easter-garden/

I only know as much as is written here, but it’s a lovely place to visit. Interesting that they managed to get a designated footpath running through it.

Their community budget clearly doesn’t stretch to maintaining a website…

I hope it works out for you. Are you going to build some dirt jumps on it? :-D

Spotify has a filter for E marked songs

I find this just skips the song, rather than replaces it with a clean version

That would be a handy feature

Ok, just had a look and I can’t see Elite or Rhythm written on them anywhere, just Performance, and it’s only got rebound adjustment

So I guess that means I’ve got the OEM version

They’ve been pretty good overall, and a step above what I had on my previous bike, which were some knackered Rebas. I like the simplicity and in fact I haven’t touched them at all since the initial setup

I’m mainly curious whether being able to play with compression damping might make them feel a bit more supple over fast small bumps

IANASE

I think they are the Elite with Grip damper but will check when I’m home

Please let this be the last failed assassination attempt

Electric Bakery is excellent

Everywhere else you can expect the standard overpriced crap

Further afield it’s worth checking out the Cabin Cafe at crackington haven, the coastal walk between there and Bude is also spectacular

Our dog (rescue terrier) is just coming up to 10

Apart from the first year, I’ve always taken the ‘self insured’ approach and fortunately (pure luck really) we haven’t had a single big vet bill. We’ve literally only paid for his jabs and annual checkup. no pre existing conditions.

So as things stand we’re quids in, and I’m wondering whether now might be the time to pay for insurance again before he turns 10

He’s fit and healthy so hopefully will keep going for a few more years

What does the hive mind think?

As others have said:

Forget the routine, and let them play until it’s dark and they are pooped (for this reason I think camping in mid summer is not ideal if it doesn’t get dark until 10pm, and they’re awake at 5am!)

Buy some gear just for them (e.g. kids sleeping bag, special head torch, new PJ’s) to get them excited about camping (and bed time …)

Keep crocs handy for the inevitable night time trip to the loo

Car free campsites are the best for letting them roam about safely

That cycling obsession article is very good, a much better explanation than what’s in the Shimano manual

What it doesn’t mention, or if it does then I missed it, the “frame support screw and protection plate” business only applies to the braze on version, not clamp version

Made me go back and check mine though!

Every time I clean our 6 burner gas hob (not that often TBF) I wish we had induction

The ignition on half the rings doesn’t work either

Induction next time for sure

When there’s no tension on the mech it’s probably not going to sit right. Get the chain on there and it’ll be hunky dory (maybe)

Bike rack for big dong?

Had a lovely city break in Nantes with the family last autumn. It’s got a lot going for it, good food, plenty of interesting cultural stuff, some great kids stuff, bike friendly. Chosen mainly on the basis of half term flight prices not being too astronomical.

This place was one of the highlights:

Le Grand Éléphant

@tjagain

Thank you for these wise words. I’ll hold onto that advice as things inevitably get harder with my dad.

He has dementia and recently moved across the country to be closer to me and my sister, and his grandkids. We are trying to see him often to ensure he is settled and happy, alongside sorting out the mess of his finances, deputyship etc which he is oblivious to.

It really feels as though, if we weren’t seeing him, his mind would decline rapidly. There’s just not enough stimulation in the care home. But we’ve also got to stay within our own limits. Pretty sure that balancing act is going to get harder as time goes on.

I’ve been tempted recently too

never paid any import taxes either.

Is that generally people’s experience or did you just get lucky?

if you have a round head (as opposed to a rugby ball head) then try specialized. Like you I’m right between a M and L.

Their medium (adjusted to max size) fits me perfect

Plus I like their simple straps and good padding all round

What bunker for next 5 years?

Just listening to Rachmaninov’s 2nd piano concerto with my dad. He’s the classical fan, not me particularly, but this piece has special meaning to me and gets me a bit teary. The ending of the 2nd movement is absolutely perfect.

I’ve got a Skoda Karoq. Pretty good overall as a practical car.

The SE L spec has removable back seats which is very handy for getting bikes in. I’m not sure if there’s any equivalent Seat or VW that has them, just the Karoq as far as I’m aware.

Got hit in the face by a pigeon once. Not just the poo but the whole bird. They are not as soft and fluffy as they look!

Wow what a scary experience. Whereabouts in bs6? I’m probably quite local to you. Hope you get yourself and your garage mended quick. And hope they catch the bastards!

Posted this and forgot to check back! Thanks for all the suggestions.

The giro rumble vr is what I’m replacing, they’re ok but I fancied trying something else.

They look good but were very tappy while walking as the cleats touched the floor. Also the mesh over the toes was very thin and let water straight in.

The velosambas are cool but I was possibly after something more skatery or walking shoey, more my style (middle aged dad that fashion forgot) 😂

Might take a punt on a pair of CB Mallets or Pearl Izumi Canyon

Giraffes

As big as a house!

Much as I love our tern gsd, I wouldn’t have one if it weren’t for hauling kids. Unless you are regularly carrying a lot of stuff (beyond what a normal bike can easily carry) the overall heft makes it a bit overkill/impractical IMO. I’m totally sold on e-bikes for zipping around town, but I will probably downsize when the kids grow out of it, maybe to a quick haul or something lighter still.

For dedicated fans (in Bristol)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7W9wzPMTiX/

Mine does rattle a lot and is very annoying. I just tuck in the little pull thingy, but then I can’t open it as easily without stopping/crashing

There’s such attention to detail in every other aspect of the design, I’m wondering if it might have been redesigned, and mine is an early version

That’s a tidy solution STR👍

Slight OT – for anyone who has this bag, specifically the zip version like above, does your zip rattle constantly and have you found a way to stop it?

I am perhaps wishing I’d bought the flip version but went for the smallest size which is zip only

Positive News

As per the title really. Lots of interesting articles about actual positive things that are happening in the world.

Other than that, the only magazines we have are ones my wife has fished out of our neighbours’ bins 😁

I sold a cmax with a busted ecoboost engine earlier this year

It had been a great car up to the point that the engine exploded 😁

Anyway I put it on gumtree and sold it in less than 24hrs to a chap that swaps the engines and sells them on. He drove down from Coventry for it!

+1 for Nisbets

If you’re nearby their Bristol (avonmouth) site, the clearance section is great for a rummage

One of our neighbours had a row of massive leylandii that used to border a communal garden that’s part of our terrace. I believe it started off fairly neighbourly and got pretty ugly. He was retired and a cantankerous git so found plenty of ways to make it as awkward as possible. In the end the council ordered him to remove the hedge, however he chopped down all but one of the trees (which is still there). One tree is not a hedge, different rules apply, it was allowed to stay. The lonely git won, except everyone now hates him.

I had one a few weeks ago on FB when I was trying to sell an old camera. They wanted me to post it to them before the money had cleared. The money had obviously never been sent in the first place. The address they provided was some cornershop in Bradford that accepts parcels.

Once you click on their profile it’s quite easy to tell if it’s a fake/hacked account.

Wordle 1,052 6/6*

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Yup, it’s one of those ones today

The Wheels Manufacturing BB works with XT cranks just fine. Makes no difference to the q-factor.

I’ve got one in my Arc and it’s been faultless.

As you say, the cups screw together which prevents the flex that you get with Shimano press fit BBs, particularly in a carbon frame.

The Hope one works in the same way, although needs a special tool to install.

Wordle 1,045 2/6*

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Annoyed that I would rather have got it in 3.

Also I seem to be the only one doing it in colourblind, dark mode. The rest of you are weird😁

Yes it works as you would expect a standard landline to, lift the receiver to answer, put down to hang up. No need to press buttons.

To make a call you lift the receiver, dial the number (or press one of the speed dial buttons)

Default settings are obnoxiously loud and annoying ring tones, but easily changed

I have been on the hunt for something similar to the OP and thought it might be useful to share the phone which we’ve ended up with.

Ticks all the boxes for us.

Looks like a landline but uses a SIM

Big buttons with speed dial

https://amzn.eu/d/3W0xrMm

That’s impressive John! Are you doing it in hard mode?

It would be interesting to see a rolling average, I reckon I’ve improved over time quite a bit.

Had a good run of 3’s lately, now within spitting distance of overtaking 4’s!

Nail biting stuff isn’t it