When you sign up to Komoot you get an option to Buy the World for £20 one time payment. Usually its about £40 but they will do offers. That allows you to download any area and navigate offline. But not plan offline. You only need a regular subscription for particular tasks as I understand it. Eg weather multiday planning. Edit too slow !

What he says. Though better put! Is your  blood test through your GP. Low cortisol should be an immediate flag to investigate an adrenal issue I would have thought. Or maybe that’s were you are at and waiting for an endocrinologist appointment. If I was at that stage now and if there was no sign of an appointment I would be considering going private for peace of mind

in my case I didn’t get a pituitary diagnosis until the tumour affected my vision and the optometrist referred me to the opthamologist- who referred for an immediate MRI. Before that I had severe fatigue- but then who doesn’t. Never had cortisol tested but neurosurgeon reckoned I would have had affects for 10-15 years . Sounds like your wife will good knowledge of the pituitary journey after that.

Agree on avoiding dr Google! and daily steroids do have downsides

Interesting video – though maybe rather drawn out for anybody without the motivation of finding out about their own health. There is a text summary here https://addisons.org.au/the-last-remaining-light-an-addisons-disease-documentary/

Have you been to the Addisons website? It does have a lot useful information. This page gives advice on exercise and medication dosage  https://www.addisonsdisease.org.uk/how-to-stay-on-top-of-exercise

I have also found the Mayo Clinic site useful https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350293

I have Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency – from the removal of a pituitary tumour 7 years ago – so not as serious but treatment and many of the symptoms will be similar. As you say it is rare – my GP (on the edge of retirement) had never had a patient with the condition. He did reassuringly advise that there was no reason not to expect a long and healthy life – after all President Kennedy had Addison’s – tho maybe that wasn’t the best example!

If you have been diagnosed with Addisons then  treatment will probably be a lifetime daily dose of Hydrocortisone Unfortunately that’s designed to replace an adrenal insufficiency so unlikely to have you flying like Wiggins ?- but if you don’t take them then you will have an adrenal crisis – as described in the video – with potentially fatal results. I have read that people have used supplements in attempt to come off the steroids – with fatal results.

Feeling better with exercise as Martin discusses exactly mirrors my own experience – I abandoned a scepticism of Yoga and Pilates and started following YouTube videos on a daily basis. Supplemented by biking and a lot of walking (easier to get out the door and walk a hill – especially where I live. Start small and build up. The hardest part is fighting through fatigue or inertia to do them. As with any exercise too much too soon and you will lose incentive.

I would say that endocrinologists are becoming a lot more switched on to Addisons than maybe 10 years ago – but dosage is definitely trial and error – I would love an equivalent of the Freestyle Libre that diabetics can use to be able to monitor Cortisol levels. But yep information on a higher level of fitness is very challenging – I like your “NHS-sit-at-a-desk-all-day” definition. Added to which if you stay fit and eat well you will have a classic invisible illness. My Endocrinologist is due to retire – perhaps her replacement might be  more exercise orientated.

I do know know one guy who was back marathon running after starting treatment but the illness is rare and it is difficult to get people to discuss their problems – like me their answer to “how are you feeling” will be “fine”!

No idea on supplements I’m afraid. We eat a good diet so I rely on that. My endocrinologist did advise my wife to lock the fridge – fortunately that has not been too much of an issue – though sometimes the urge to binge is overwhelming.

One big issue is control of stress – I can easily spiral into a completely uncontrolled mimicry of Tourette’s over very little so have to practice remaining calm. Even then I regularly have to apologise to my wife – how she puts up with it I am not sure.

Best of luck with your journey!

The audio book of Rob’s book is on Spotify if you have premium.

Not listened to it yet but discovered it whilst looking for One man and his Bog by Barry Pilton.

(The latter book is out of print but the abridged version of Barry’s walk on the Penine Way is on 4x and BBC Sounds)

@hot_fiat sounds like you think it’s worth paying for the ability to have modulation? 

@catdras. Posting overlapped. Think maybe you’ve answered my question! Or sowed reasonable doubt.

That’s certainly the impression I get from reading past threads and other info. Unfortunately I have already made that decision as the new boiler drops straight into the same location and pipe work as the old one and at this time of year speed of installation took precedence.

Did watch a Heatgeek video with Tado that implied they were going to reintroduce the modulation compatibility with Bosch for their wireless set up – but nothing on their website suggests that has happened.

Just interested to see if anyone had positive experience with Bosch’s own system.

Sorry old boiler has died so new 4000 boiler going in that has options to alter flow temp and alter heating output. And is compatible with Bosch so we can keep existing control or spend ££ on Easycontrol. If Easycontrol installed with boiler it will have a long (10year) warranty.

Turns out inch thick Lorne sausage with 3 rashers of bacon and a slice of tattle scone, in a roll,  is horrific pre-ride fuel before a big uphill.

Heart Attack Ridge

Lots of mellow stuff north and south of the Forth. Worth a look on Wanderings and windings for ideas.

You can also link from these routes to gravel tracks around Gartmorn and all the way along the Hillfoots on a track above the road from Menstrie through to Tillicoultry and then other options out to Dollar N and S of the road.

More tarmac than it used to be but all easily accessible

The Clackmannan Bridge has a cycle path for linking across the Forth

No probs with our Evri deliveries. Well one delivery was to the wrong house but corrected by the time we complained. They do have a complaints chat which is free and quickly followed up -in my case.

If you want 2 photos on one sheet you can download “paint net” for free and there are plenty of tutorials on how to set up a template and import/resize the photos. This way you should get exactly the print out you want. Although if you do want 2 separate pictures, as said above, it would be easier to cut the paper to the right size and the Photos app will just fill the page. The results are very good. on our printer anyway.

Just to add to above suggestions in case its not obvious
– Crop your photo to a 7×5 (or whatever) ratio otherwise the Photos app will just crop it to fit
= Make sure you check the “more settings” in the printer dialogue to set print quality to photo (the default seems to be text)
– Also in more settings you may need to turn off the borderless printing if doing 2 photos at once. I’ve had to do this for printing collages as otherwise it just expanded the print to the edge of the photo.
– If you use PowerPoint to print both at once check you have the save option set to at least 300PPI. It may default to a lower resolution.

For self catering ideas – we stayed HERE recently – excellent views plenty of eating places nearby and loads of walking. Very secure bike storage. They have an 8 person cottage, Also close to Tweed Valley riding. Might be well booked up tho.

Hi Crispin. A friend of Alisons had exactly this problem. They had her bike for repair for ages and wouldn’t respond to phone calls or emails. One call that did go through he claimed he was waiting for parts- but somehow she found out that parts had never been ordered. She ended up threatening a legal process and going in with a witness to demand the bike back. He then claimed illness. The whole process was very unpleasant.

That was 2-3 weeks ago. The bike is now Edinburgh Bike-though still not repaired- and still awaiting parts.

Not sounding hopeful for your friend. On her experience I wouldn’t leave a bike with them.

Of those 2 routes I would go with Kerry’s and skip the opening loop as you suggest. I don’t recall any issues on the WHW section on a mountain bike – maybe a couple of get off and push sections – but obviously different on drops. Similarly the “steep hill” is an easy skoosh on an MTB but might be interesting on drops. Easy to include a stop at the cafe at Stronachlacher which I believe has now reopened. The view at 10:40 is where you identified it. And the ice cream stall is now open. As above there are a lot of options – tho don’t follow Crispin’s variation into Balquhidder – it may well be a carry downhill 😀. Kerry’s Komoot feed does cover a lot of options.

Scottys loop maybe shorter but there some big climbing. If you do Scotty’s route I would consider doing the loop anti clockwise unless you are a super strong climber. Either way round you’ll have some pretty tough climbs/hikes. And the Trossachs path – ie the bit north of L Venechar also has some very short sharp climbs. The drone footage is of the Meall Cala climb – which seriously understates how steep it is.

Oddly never been bothered by midges on the bike in that area – if you need to stop mind you ….

We’ve found Staysure Premiums and customer service good for declared medical conditions, that others may not cover. They even gave us an unsolicited refund for a extra premium we paid on line – they made contact to say they were going to refund as we didn’t need it over our existing policy

A couple of others

Walking from Levens – Scout Scar and the Mushroom circular walk via Sizergh Castle and the grandly named Parish Church of Saint John Helsington. This is a brilliant scenic walk – views and landscape similar to Whitbarrow. Can be extended to Cunswick Scar.
With some driving – From Ulpha or Broughton Mills – a circuit of Dunnerdale Fells.

We stayed in Piskopiano in ridiculously cheap apartments about 8yrs ago. It is 3 villages of almost continuous restaurants. Touristy but mostly good food and mostly v cheap.

Heraklion itself is worth a mooch around has a fantastic range of eating places.

Kritsa is an amazing town and has a great wee gorge. Other nearby gorges at Roza and Aposelemis

Lasithi Plateau is intriguing for a wander

Matala has a new road most of the way from Heraklion (we went back to the Chania side in 2019) and has rock caves a gorge and a pretty town ( as well as a beach) Gortyna is on the way if want more ruins.

Agios Nicholaos, Sisi and Spinalonga all worth considering

Driving is interesting and there are a few local customs you need to know. Food is amazing.

As said above the island is huge and some roads are v poor so dont plan on going too far.

We never bothered with Samaria either time – its a hell of a long day from Heraklion – depends whether you like being part of a crowd or not.

We were there beginning of October and weather was amazing but all gorges may be hazardous after rain so take local advice.

Have you optimised system on the App?

You never knew which alarm had set them all off at 4:15am

I reckon they default to going off in the middle of the night – and on ours you need to poke a screwdriver in a slot to get them off. Not an easy task at 4 in the morning. I think I might have bust the heat detector by skiting it across the floor.

Glen Ample and return by sutrans route

Loch Laggan, Arverikie and Lochan Na Earba from the Laggan road

Loch Pattack and Culra Lodge from Dalwhinnie

Great Trossachs Path from Callander

Loch Ordie

Out of Aberfeldy on the Rob Roy Way southern (high) track along Urlar Burn and return on the lower north route from Tombuie Cottage

There is some climbing but Dad can push both bikes on the hills 😉

I need these ideas for the opposite end of the age spectrum as Alison balks at anything over 20miles and 2-300m rise – even with me pushing both bikes on the hills …

edit along the Black Devon and around Devilla – but you’ve probable done that

Extend the Loch Ard track to L Chon and then floow the Duchray Water back

We have a sony HX90. Zoom is good and the real advantage is the amazing pop up viewfinder. We have brilliant photos taken in good light, but be aware the Sony cheaper compact zoom cameras are lousy in poor light,for macro and for the type of portrait mode that makes your photos of kids look good. Check the max aperture. We do both use compact cameras a lot but I do usually do a bit of light photoshop enhancement.

The Sony rx100mk3 has a very limited zoom. Newest one is better but many ££

A road alternative is the A81 to Aberfoyle. Not as narrow, less busy and only adds about 4k to the distance. Matt’s route would be mine though not sure I’d fancy it on a road bike. Haven’t been to try Crispin’s icecream yet. Maybe go up when he gets his fat bike evening hire up and running.

As is your home. At a rough guess you and most on here will have an income in at least the top 10% of the worlds income. So all pretty rich in world terms.

https://howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org

45 years together and separate bank accounts:-)
1st time you have have an account hacked you will be very glad to have separate accounts whilst it is sorted out.

I also know friends and family who have had probate problems with access to money – even though in theory a joint account should just pass to the spouse.

As TJ says years bought on final pension scheme are likely to provide an income that will outstrip income from most other investment options. Tho that will depend on the cost of extra years and American tax implications on the income gained. Even tho AliB and I have made roughly equal contributions over the years, probably latterly I paid in considerably more, the draw down recommendation on my pension pot would give half her income – and hers is guaranteed which is quite reassuring when markets plunge on your private pension/ISA.

You will lose pension withdrawal flexibility. So I can withdraw any amount I wish for any little luxuries. Also anything remaining in my pot will form part of our estate/inheritance. Admittedly an ISA should provide that same flexibility. Tho my opinion is that tax saved on pension contributions when you are earning esp if you enter higher bands, is likely to be greater than tax saved on a lower retirement income if that is when you access ISA savings.

A final salary scheme will likely half if your wife dies before you and will also stop when you both go. May not be an issue if you have no children. You might also wish to check what happens if your wife died and you wished to remarry. we have a friend who will lose her late husband’s NHS pension if she remarries.

All IMO. Good luck with your advisor.

Strava heatmap +1

And you don’t need a subscription just a log in as its available on its own webpage or on the maps layer of the updated app, overlaid on basic OSM mapping. Have found a few new routes during lockdown using it.

Also Komoot for plotting a route. And it has just improved usability a lot in a recent update. IMO the path graphics are better than viewranger, though obv still need OS for detail, contours etc

There are a lot of routes on the OS app – tho it could do with some moderation as there is also a lot of trash.

Hi Ian you had breakfast beside me and AliB. We were being posh by being in the hotel – birthday treat – while the rest of you were having a whale of a time in the bar!

Greg – the machine – is in the orange top in your first pic and Jojo is in green in the second pic. Others i can recall were Nobeer, Househusband, Trail_rat on some unsuitable race rig, Bumbly? Who i thought was old then but probably younger than I am now with his mate Ian. And that guy who works with wood – McMoonter

And the bike I have with me this week still has a front mech and wee wheels and will manage fine on any routes I dare take AliB on ;-)

Ps my route description should have said up W side Prosen not E just in case you plan to recreate it ! And I’ve just realised it autocorrected to Proven doh .

Yep it was the Glen Clova ride. Just after my 54th birthday 🤪

The route was Clova then hill track to Glen Proven village, up the tops to the east side of G Proven via Hillof Strone and Drumchapel forest to High Tree Drop down to cross the river and return over Kilbo Path.

Your 2nd photo is just after Drumshade and the 3rd might be climbing up Kilbo. I’m on the left looking for more energy in my rucksack and the guy I came with, Dougie, is relaxing on the right.

Still a few of the others on here regularly.

re Payback – 1 year costs approx. £750/year – extra pension = £250/year hence 3 year payback. Bit longer dependent on tax.

BUT Do check the links above re NI record and pension forecast – lots of folk have paid for years that do not qualify. Also phone Future Pensions – who are v good.

Payment online – no acknowledgement – just eventually appeared as an update to pension forecast – not the best system.

If you have been opted out you wont get full £160/week but I am pretty close.

And I just got a £10 Christmas bonus :-)

I have just bought back 3 years. Each extra year costs approx £15/week and increases your pension by approx. £5week. As Johhners says the payback time is about 3.5years if you are taxed. But after that you have the extra income index linked.

HOWEVER you also have to check what your total qualifying years will be at retirement age. Buying more years than the maximum qualifying years (35 on new state pension) will not gain extra income.

This is slightly confused if you overlap new and old system – you can get a forecast and then phone to check what payments are worthwhile. They are actually good on the phone.

https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

The forecast will should give you 3 figures – how much you would get on current contributions – how much if you continue making contributions to current retirement age and the maximum you can get if you make a top up.

On the desktop version – go to the 3 dots by your user name – go to settings. Scroll down and enable discover. This introduces a new tab on the home page and a star on the bottom of the app.

It also means some of the activity highlights have suggested routes if you scroll down and pick the link for more details. Though it all seems a bit clunky compared to the likes of viewranger or wikiloc

No sign of a pin tony. Nor any hole for it to through. One of the Silverfish guys did mention a cotter pin but then decided that was a different fork. It wasn’t on his spares list for this fork.

Thanks for the thoughts andreas.

What I have is the lever which has about 20mm of 4mm bolt. This screws back into a threaded end on the thru bolt. But immediately just unscrews again. I don’t see any nut or any other retention in there tho there is a narrowing at the end of the thread om the lever side.  I have just been speaking to Silverfish who were pretty helpful tho I’m not sure entirely understood my fault. They suggest that the axle is fubarred.  I did at least manage to get it out easily just using a screwdriver in the non lever end. But to be honest I’m not at all sure what is wrong with it. I could fix it back in with Loctite but maybe that is not the best idea for riding.

I’ll have another look tomorrow. They are stupidly expensive to replace and aren’t currently showing up as stock.

Anyone got a 2015 axle for the Trek offset fox fork going free? well not free – but not in use!

We used iPhiGéNie, maps of France – pay for 1 month – or 1 week free trial https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/iphigénie-maps-of-france/id350346756?mt=8

Alternatively download the area you want onto Viewranger

to view maps on PC https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/carte

Craigdon – good service. Staff are generally helpful and knowledgeable and will spend as much time as you need. They should have some good reductions soon. We got ours from Perth. All adjustments were done for free at the time incl adjustment to the shell for Mrs B. (even tho not high end boots and well reduced in a sale) Shops are all independent now but other family members and friend have bought from Edinburgh and Aberdeen stores. We are all happy with the outcome.

Alain Baxter – nice guy. Limited range of boots in store last time I was in so I wouldn’t head out without phoning first. Boots not all high end and would have ordered others in. Maybe the guy to go to if you have particular fitting/custom requirements. NB He may well be away race training at this time of year.

Best wishes. Just had two friends go through this and it is tough. They are both recovering well after treatment, so, as above, be positive. The one we knew best had a lot of friends lined up to provide support/lifts to hospital/company for coffee and short walks. Her husband had all the mobile numbers and, initially anyway, sent out the appeals for support when needed. Folk(esp woman folk!) are v good at rallying round – especially if you let them know you need their help and give them tasks to do. The hospital support was also very good tho we have the Maggie Centres here which are very good – don’t what equiv is elsewhere.

I joined NTS whilst visiting a friend in England, There was no waiting time for free entry to properties there. (Was a member of Historic Scotland years ago and sites in England and Wales were then 1/2 price for the first year and free after that, Total bargain with castle mad kids!)

The NTS site does say there is reciprocal entry to properties but is silent on parking. I did phone them to check before going to the Lakes and they confirmed parking was also reciprocal.

It is worth noting that when we arrived in Langdale they had a ticket machine that scanned the membership card – and it didn’t work with the NTS card. We parked anyway and had no hassle (saved £9* over National Park carpark further up road!)

*who ends up at the end of Langdale with £9 in coins! Certainly not the 6 cars of tourists that were there at the same time as us.

I received my DVLA confirmation yesterday so that took 3 months.

In fairness to the DVLA the delay was waiting for the consultant to respond.

In fairness to the consultant he will have better things to do than confirm the DVLAs own guidelines back to them :?

You could try phoning them. They have been very good when I have contacted them. The number of years before and after the change in pension scheme also affects whether you should top up or not.

My estimated pension is less than my maximum forecast. I was told not to top up any payments pre April 16 as it wouldn’t make any difference to my final pension. However I will be able to add additional payments post 2016 to get the max forecast.

ie even if you have the qualifying years pre 2016 (I did) continuing to pay after 2016 will increase the amount you eventually get under the new system.

Sounds like the OP and I might be waiting a while longer then.

If you haven’t been told to hand in your licence then this is the relevant info whilst waiting.

DVLA advice

Driving whilst waiting for medical report