Are any of you including the old skool trail (cordoned off a few years ago) that used to start on the right hand trail above the Landslip, but now "starts" by tucking in on from the left hand trail to rejoin it about a third of the way along? Brings you out near the cricket pitch.

I'm into week 4 now and have probably stuck to the plan (about 80% of it) for about 5 days out of 7. The pounds came off in the first couple of weeks but now things have settled. However, I'm convinced that if I was to go strict for another week then 4-5lbs would drop off.

I certainly feel more educated about food groups now though. Still don't miss bread, tatoes or pasta.

And one of the pro's is that my breakfast tends to consist of courgette/tomatoes/egg(s)/chorizo or salami or bacon/olives/mushrooms/cheese – i.e. a pizza without the carb-heavy base. And it tastes **** lovely.

There were 16 in the field next to our house last night when I took the furry fella out for a walk. Have normally seen groups of 5-10 across neighbouring fields, but to see so many in one gathering was cool.

On the subject of deer, I was running along the trail that parallels with Juniper Valley about 3-4 months ago, when a deer popped out from my right and ran alongside me (albeit about 15 feet away) for about 200m. T'was somewhat unusual.

NZCol: check out this …

… and follow the instructions to download the Apple config (via Safari on your phone). This worked for me when trying to connect my iPhone 4 to Exchange 2003 – it might also help with the sending issue. If not, check out the official Apple forum – there's load of talk on there about it.

Clicky

EDIT: Doh, didn't realise you needed the income bit included – I have seen/used one but can't find it right now

NZCol, have you checked out the Apple forums? I read yesterday that various people could no longer send email via Exchange after upgrading to iOS4 … not sure if I read about a solution because I was looking for a different fix at the time … still, worth a look though.

iPlayer isn't an app – it's just a bookmark that you add to your homescreen so it looks like an app.

As in a bookmark of the iPlayer homepage?

EDIT: Ignore becaue I've just sorted it – cheers

GrahamS – where do you get the iPlayer app from? App Store version seems to be for something entirely different.

Some of the cool apps I've running (in addition to those mentioned already)

Evernote
Dropbox
TwitterDeck
Wikipanion
Battery Doctor
Skype
Autotrader
Rightmove
Met Office Weather (localised throughout the day)
National Rail
Amazon
Ebay
Paypal
TV Guide
National Trust
Photoshop
B&Q
Mobile RSS
ECB Cricket
Omnifocus
LinkedIn
Tubemap
TuneInRadio
TalkSport
Pocket First Aid and CPR
Tesco Finder
WordPress
Gorillacam
Games – Angry Birds and Ninja Fruit

You'll get a decent enough 01-05 A3/A4/320d/Golf/Passat for that kind of money.

I know there are plenty of other cars to choose from, but I've gone German for the last 10 years (with the exception of a VXT220 in 2004) and they've done the trick for me.

So don't the phone people just send a free case out with the phone now? Or do you actually have to go and claim it from somewhere?

You have to download the bumper app and choose your case/bumper.

I was about to get one and found out its faulty and signal reception errors.

Why would anyone buy a faulty phone is crazy and has more money than sense!

Trust me, I am in no way an Apple fanboi, but I decided last week to take the iPhone 4 plunge (due to the strength of its App Store, especially productivity apps like Omnifocus etc). And my shiny new 4 arrived this morning > spent most of the day setting it up > and I have no reception issues whatsoever. I'll still be claiming my free case, but as a piece of hardware, the iPhone 4 cannot be beaten (IMO). And I've had years of WinMo and Android, so I'm not new to this game.

My concensus is that a bad batch of 4's got out and those that received them quite rightly complained. However, anyone owning a 4 IMO should respect the quality of its build and finish and use a case of some kind … which means all those in receipt of a dodgy 4 should accept Apple's gesture of a free case (of which there's a choice of about 6-7) and just get on with it, because 1) they won't have a reception problem anymore, and 2) they'll be protecting their phone as well. The only problem I know of is that some people have reported the signal returning byt wifi disappearing …

CountZero – on the subject of Viewranger, I've just looked it up in the app store. It looks the pigs figs – is it really that good as a GPS mapper for running/MTBing?

I tweeted about this earlier:

JailbreakMe: #iPhone 4 #jailbreaking made easy by iPhone Dev Team: bit.ly linky – remember to backup first though …

Spacemonkey I think it was the Outsiders which is based on another SE Hinton novel.

That's the one – good call.

I remember taping it about 20 years ago and watching it loads. There was also another film with a similar line up, i.e. the "brat pack" of the era – can't remember what it was though.

Having had Android and WinMo devices for the last 3 years, I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my shiny new iPhone 4 in the next few hours.

It probably helps that I've recently bought a MBP and have started using this to manage all my personal "stuff" (which can sync with my iPhone). That, and the strength of the App Store has done it for me.

I've been on LI for about 5-6 years but haven't bothered to try getting much out of it. Tis useful for finding people, especially those in your industry that you want to source or find out about.

Personally I haven't had much come of it, but I know people that put a more effort into it and have had some good returns.

IMO, I prefer Ecademy – much more interactive and social.

Call Spesh tech/customer service on 0208 3913517. They might be able to sort you something out under Crash Repair Warranty.

Only had a couple of issues with mine (Nirvana) in about 8 years. One of which was just plain stupid and cost me a couple of days and some to'ing and fro'ing with Spesh factory. The other issue they rectified as soon as I walked in with the bike.

I've used for all sorts of things; full bike builds, wheels builds, servicing, repairs, etc. 9/10 in my book.

Mental picture of dozens of STW,s rubbing their thighs. It's not good

Yep, that's pretty much how it is … imagine Vic Reeves doing his "thigh rubbing routine."

BTW, welcome to the wacky world of STW :D

As others have said, it's an absolute piece of pi55. I used to live near the middle of it so often included various sections in my evening blasts.

Nice and chilled up near the River Wey, then pretty dull until you reach West Grinstead when the scenery suddenly opens up.

As for pubs, I used to drink in the Bax Castle (nr Christ's Hospital) and The Bridge (Copsale). The former used to be half decent for pub grub, whereas the latter was far better for lock-ins (we used to have fry-ups at 1:00-2:00am :D )

Anyway. Latest breaking news is the phone has turned itself off. I guessed it was out of charge so wandered off to the shop and bought a new charger which is basically a plug and a USB cable.

How come your new employer have given you an iPhone but no charge/kit/etc?

Is it a new phone, i.e. out of the box, or did it belong to a random member of staff?

How long after plugging it into the mains does it take before you can turn the phone on again?

What did you do with your Nokia when it was charging? Did you ever gamble on turning it on? I'd take a punt if was you.

As someone said in the other iDave diet post, if you do 6 days on and 1 day off, you'll probably be shifting pounds, but it you do 5 days on for the sake of a second "fill yer boots" day, then don't be surprised to see far less benefit. I guess the combo of "losing" 15-20% weight loss coupled to "gaining" maybe 20-30% more = you're running on about 65% of your weight losing capacity (instead of 90%+).

I noticed it after binging on both Sat and Sun. Am back on track now.

Was a tidy little programme I thought. Even the missus enjoyed it.

I agree the end product seemed a bit "out of sorts," but if every part is genuinely his choice then that's his prerogative, and surely he has his reasons. Especially if he's going to cycle round the world again.

Is naming babies (and broadcasting the names) before they are actually born a new thing?

Can't say I've really thought about it in the past. Doesn't bother us though, but each to their own of course.

but once they start getting interesting it will be good to be there

My sentiments exactly. I've never been a "baby" person because I prefer "something" I can properly play with if you know what I mean.

@Woody2000: didn't realise that – will remember that in future.

@MF: they live 250 miles away so most (all?) visits are likely to be planned to some degree at least, hence taking advantage is going to be tricky.

Good points – thanks. I had a feeling 2 weeks would be "sufficient" if you know what I mean, so the idea of taking another 2 nearer Christmas sounds just the ticket.

Plus, the in-laws have offered to come down whenever we feel is the "right "time. I guess anytime after the first couple of weeks is going to be the plan there.

Home-made pies, pasties, sausage rolls and scotch eggs from the local butcher. They really are the nuts.

A key thing to bear in mind when attending an interview is, "What do they want from me?"

I.e. when asked a question (open or closed), think to yourself, "What do they want to hear" vs "What would I normally say" = work out what sounds best/right for each occasion.

Also come up with a list of questions you want to ask them, e.g. about the role, the responsibility, the team, the company's objectives/goals, their philosophy, etc – after all, it's about what they can do for you as well as what you can do for them.

Also, toward the end of the interview, ask how well they feel you suit the position – this can give you clues as to how well you fit or don't fit – you can then reinforce or counter or say whatever you feel is right at the time.

Do you live anywhere near their Chessington base?

IME their warranty turnarounds are very quick – I've picked up three frames (including one that was a full bike rebuild) in 2-4 days. Might obviously take longer if it's got to go through via your local Spesh shop though.

Carb up the night before, have a sensible breakfast, e.g. porridge or eggs/bacon/beans/toast … pack the food you know gives you energy but take more of it, and take plenty of energy drink.

This[/url] enables you to permanently download iPlayer stuff.

I don't get it, why?

You said it yourself – you just don't get it, so perhaps it's not for you.

AFM, I couldn't be ar5ed with FB until a year or so ago – now I keep in touch with people I've haven't seen/met in ages. Twitter is brilliant for keeping tabs on what's happening in any field of interest – I use it mainly for work-related stuff, plus I get to contribute and share thoughts and articles, etc. Loads of other networks/apps out there – some good, some not so good.

One thing I can't fathom is how some people seem to be constantly tweeting or blogging, and yet still get a load of work done. How do they find the time?

Also, Twitter has it's share of people that post mundane b0ll0x – but all you have to do is unfollow them – simples.

How much do you want to sync? Emails, contacts, calendar, tasks? I use an app to send all my Outlook appts to Google Calendarand it works fine (runs off Exchange though). Not near my PC so can't tell you what it's called yet.

Following on from what dmetcalfe says, if you start at the fort, you can do Yoghurt Pots (turn left just after the start of Park Life, turn left up the bank at the end, return to the start and do Park Life proper – take second exit at the "crossroads" and then immed left to start of TR.

PS people have different names for PL/YG, but you'll know what I mean when you're there

I/we turn off to the the right about 3/4 of the way down TR, head kind of "naturally" anti-clock over some swoopy stuff, straight across (over a bridleway), then split right, go down a nice little rolling bank, onto the fire trail, turn right and follow back up (to the fort or wherever you want to go).

Spacemonkey, I have very similar experiences. I am going for light eating in general and carb supplementation whilst exercising. It works if I do lots of base riding, but if I do speed work then whatever fat I lose seems to be balanced by muscle gain.

There's perhaps something to be said though for not riding so hard for a while for the purposes of dieting, then getting back on it once the fat is gone.

Indeed.

I'm not trying to be as analytical as that. The bottom line for me is that I seem to be a naturally hungry person, and it was only 3-4 years ago that I started to put on a little timber as a result (even when running/biking). Hence I probably eat more than the average bear before, during and after a ride anyway.

For me, there's definitely (so far) enough benefits in dropping the white carbs and adopting a new regime. Things might change when the little person arrives and I can't ride nearly as much.

Maybe the producers should make every contestant sign a "I understanding what I am letting myself in for … I volunteer to look an ar5e if I'm sh1t … I shall not sue should my feelings be hurt … blah blah" disclaimer.

Obviously not quite using those words, but you know what I mean.

So if they're a money grabbing nutbag they can FRO.

Head for the Hills in Dorking
Nirvana in Westcott

Uphilla, YGM