Never had a problem using existing ones. Just pop screws back in the ‘plugs after the brackets are off. Assuming you want same rad to go back in same place with same pipes replacing the plugs could become a bit of an incident pit.

Love them even more now. Might have to buy something else.

Brought an expensive bike from Start. It had some issues. Fantastic service to help rectify. Couldn’t recommend highly enough.

Yep, this was a lovely little lockdown project. I epoxied 2x nuts into the back of the crown on my lyriks. Works well. Lot’s of trial and error… the big lessons – 2 nuts gives more thread than one, and more for the epoxy to grab – there’s a lot of leverage on the bolt from front and rear of mudguard. You need to keep a space behind the nuts so that the bolt doesn’t push against the epoxy and push the nuts out. Make sure bolt isn’t so long that it pushes on crown and pushes nuts out too. The guard comes with spacers to get the angle right for fox and ohlins forks. I wrapped one of these in black electrical tape until the angle of the dangle was just right, but this feels like a dodge to far and want to revisit this. I used as big a washer as possible to stop the bolt pulling through the tape and plastic. So far so good!

I suspect they care less about keeping the teams working than they do about attracting money

Again, I’m indulging in speculation… This might be the case with Team NZ, but I’d love to think Ben Ainslie has wooed INEOS into the dream of breaking the longest losing streak in history and winning the cup. It’ll be time on the water and some input into/consistency with the rule that will be the goal there. Burling and Tuke have the olympics now, I’m not sure if any of the INEOS team have commitments here. Giles Scott maybe?

Full speculation mode here, but where better. It makes sense to have an event asap using existing boats and teams to keep the assets working. It makes sense for INEOS to put money into an event (as well as a team) to gain as much return as poss on ‘investment’ to date. The infrastructure is in place (rumours abound regard Portsmouth base and some real estate in Cowes at the moment too). A UK event in say Summer ’22 and then back to ‘normal’ racing in 24/5 would keep the boats and teams working. The more racing there is the closer the racing should get, and it would make sense to get some action in the northern hemisphere to build the profile of the event in the run up to an Auckland event in the ‘normal’ cycle. Would it be seen as a ‘proper’ cup without a series to decide the challenger? Well it’s how it used to be run… Pick holes in that!

And it gets even more expensive if you win – you’ve got to do it all again!

I tolerated the intermittent ‘light knock’ for a bit, but now it’s gone full skeleton in biscuit tin. Frustrtating as this seems to be a known issue, it’s an expensive bit of kit and only 15 months old. It was unused in the summer and first time with it on the bike this winter so hoping for a successful warranty outcome…

Another rattly one here…

I think the chap I sail with managed a deal between friends – meant the boat stayed at the club, and would get sorted. It needed a really good clean and some string sorting and didn’t have a cover. Insurance and berth up for renewal I imagine too so a lot of work and some expense to sell on open market. It’s great club where the ethos is getting people out on the water. The learning here I think is join a club and actively take part and make connections and doors open. We do also run a 49er (at greater expense), but not up to 20+ knot winds in that just yet. I hope we can get out more than the 4 times in 2021 and continue up the learning curve.

Back to the OP – enjoy the topper! Run the mainsheet properly and don’t forget the bung. Hopefully a stepping stone to another boat for you all – but you will appreciate the minimal faff with the topper I’m sure.

We’ve been having some fun in a £50 Laser 4000 this summer, picked up for when it’s too windy for the other boat. Nothing beyond a gnav strop gone ping or plop so far. Little video of some sunshine and a wheelie down the lake here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A77A9p34RE4

Do we go into the finals carrying the warning over rule infringement (hole in foot of main)?

And handy link to technique and loads in apparent wind sailing/foiling.

https://www.northsails.com/sailing/en/resources/north-sails-international-moth-speed-guide

Pertinent here I think because of the discussion around US boat easing the main and runners.

This made me chuckle. Link to IG story where an Australian 49er team has a ‘similar’ experience to the Americans, leeward heel and all. I’d say that whilst many of the principles are different, you absolutely have to keep a foiling boat flat or heeled to windward to survive a turn at the top mark.

Where is the best place to follow detailed analysis & comment? The main media is pretty useless.

@danstw13 If you can cut through the antagonism and bullshit and enjoy wild speculation then there’s some good reading on the sailing anarchy forum.

Livesaildie doing a good job as ‘proper media’ too.

Tom Morris on youtube (Mozzysails) also putting some good analysis out.

I’d expect a tie-break race @jerome, however race schedule now taken down from the website. I wonder if the teams will forfeit races against US to keep the playing field level and give them some time? There are all sorts of things to unfold before we’re at a tie-break stage I guess, but I’m pretty sure prospective challengers will be wanting to get as much racing in as possible before they line up against the kiwis.

Red bit = Traffic Separation Scheme, to keep shipping heading in opposite directions apart at pinch points around the globe. Big penalty if you’re a Vendee skipper and you go into the red bit. ‘Sea is lava’ type thing.

Read somewhere that AT hit some fishing gear, fingers crossed for a turn of speed in Boss downwind when he gets to send it.

And we’re working!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGsxigQA5zj/?igshid=1h6n08ggug12a

Bit of tidying to do, but have cut and fitted the top row of sleepers to the lower pond, sprayed the overflow black and begun tidying the piping/cabling. We’ve had a run of cold and very wet weather, so struggling to seal the rear of the bottom pond so no extended running until this is sorted. Thinking about fixing a thin copper strip across the spillway to smooth the flow. Pump is 12500 litres per hr, and just about up to the job. Would go for a narrower fall next time though. Also had an important reminder of physics. Turned the pump off with the hose in the upper pond, and it all siphoned back through the pump into the bottom pond, overflowing onto the garden and emptying the top pond. Good job no fish involved. Inflow pipe now terminates above the waterline, after passing through a 40mm hole in the top sleeper. Just some tinkering to do now, and hopefully the planting will all recover/grow up nicely to soften the lower one.

oops wrong topic… carry on.

Can’t go wrong with the Harewood/Meanwood loop. It’s convenient for me to start at Roundhay park. E bike? 2 laps! https://www.strava.com/activities/3322814209

I used to extend this to the North East out past East Keswick/Sicklinghall/Netherby if you want to add some distance. Not got the route on Strava though.

As I understand it the furlough scheme as originally set up says you must do no work at all, and some employers have interpreted this very strictly (discovering afterwards that you do not qualify could be very expensive) – meaning that managers who were furloughed would also not be able to contact employees to do this. I’m sure that was not the intention of the scheme but its certainly how I’ve heard it being applied.

This. Though we did hold a few ‘work socials’ on zoom and set up a WhatsApp group so that updates could be made informally. From a leadership perspective, it’s been a fine line to tread, coupled withthe ‘profound economic uncertainty’ that has made it tricky to set any direction with any authenticity.

Second wave? SECOND POND!

Started on the ‘BOTTOM POND’ (arf) on sat. Had to move the giant Hydrangea to the front, which has gone in the place of a massive cypress tree which we had to get taken out (too close to the house) so quite a chain of events to get here. Liner just ordered. Now having a right do over pumps and filters. The internet suggests I need a massive pump to make the waterfall work – 120cm wide waterfall x 1.5 x 60 gives 10800 litres per hour. Is that right do your reckon? Also under what circumstances would I need a filter?

The mk1 covid infinity pond has been a great hit over the summer. Lot’s of larvae initially and manky green water, added a cheap little solar fountain, lily and some pointy oxygenating stuff and it’s now crystal clear and we can finally see where our 4 year old hid all the clothes pegs… still no lily flowers (prob transplanted a bit late) and I’d also like a dragonfly.

Sudden thought while posting… might this be too noisy?!

That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear* – thank you.

*Not the quality/flimsy/faff bit.

The Ascent of Rum Doodle.

Ah yes, they will be, cheers. Miss those brakes, they were stolen with my swift 😭

football/rugby etc matches still surrounded by yummy mummies and competitive dads on the sidelines or have they knocked that on the head to keep the risks

Our experience has been no games with other clubs for U9 Rugby, but parents present at training (safeguarding). Cricket – had a few games, all socially distanced, and parents present but well spaced out. Both clubs and volunteers involved have bent over backwards to get things going again as safely as possible and within guidelines. The spectre of a track and trace call to the club seems to keep them focussed.

I think it comes down to accountability and track and trace, having had some exposure to all the hurdles our dinghy sailing club have had to jump through, as directed by the RYA, who have worked hard to get things going again. Shooting has been singled out, but for balance, there is a comprehensive list here, scroll down to 3.16: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do#visiting-public-places-and-taking-part-in-activities
I’m sure you could go on a club ride, with mitigating measures in place, if your club had followed british cycling guidelines, which would have been approved by DCMS (assuming BC have been working with govt to get organised cycling going again).

Sorry – yes think you caught me mid-edit. I’m once bitten twice shy with bleeding ‘Avid’ brakes, so called the local shop and they said I could come back in October or have a go myself because it’s easy and probably wouldn’t need a bleed. They were right. Then I thought I’d try the same on my reverb. lol.

Just shortened hoses (very carefully) x2 on new G2 RSs using stealthamajig thingummyjigs and didn’t need to bleed. Dead easy.

ETA: Simply sharing because of a) my own disbelief and b) If you go carefully (no swinging the hose around above your head – keep it upright, keep the lever level, sharp blade and insert/screw new barb straight and gently) you may not need to bleed them at all.

Just joining the party as we’re due to head out on Sunday. Booked in December…

Yep, Summer last year. Borrowed a large and basic house for 11 of us (2 families) just over the bridge. Great communication, personable, yet professionally run and part of the multi pass scheme. I’ve found just dropping them a note with requirements or picking up the phone easier than trawling the website. They also sorted transfers. Friends are booking with them this year. We are heading back late August (fingers crossed) but much smaller group, and there wasn’t anything available that worked for us, but they were first port of call.

Sorry to hear your news. I helped set up http://www.brainstrust.org.uk if you call us we may be able to help in some small way.

@olddog – I am in Leeds and have been (idly) looking for a big board for paddle boarding/trips to the coast with the kids …. let me know if the offer is transferrable and not taken up!

Brilliant!! That’s great. Frog trip advisor must be kicking off!

All we’ve got in the Covid pond so far is fly larvae, it’s gone a bit green and the local pigeons have started a spa.

The wood arrived for the other part of the project though, so on with that soon and hopefully we can get the water moving between the two to clean things up a bit. We had some left over liner, so have built another pond and woodpile at the bottom of the garden in the hope to attract some slimy reptiles and giant flying insects. Fingers crossed.

Is there mileage in getting a bucket of sludge and tadpoles from another pond to move things along a bit?

Local pub made a big deal of/about eliminating single use plastic recently. They’ve just opened for take away… never seen so much plastic. And the reason I can see it? It’s being left (by the socially intimate hordes they’ve attracted) in the communal area over the road next to the bins which aren’t being emptied.

When challenged – ‘all we can do is tell our customers how to dispose of their waste properly’.

No more £6 pints at the Stew and Oyster for me…

Other way of looking at it – £5k car should be worth £5k. Look at a few and offer £4950 for the best one, taking into account convenience/cost of travel etc. That way you should get what you pay for.

Hi Newt! Love their hands. It’s been really helpful/motivating seeing the progress and established ponds/pools/lakes/puddles on here. Cheers all.

We’ve fixed the leaks (only needed one pass with the sealant thankfully), bolted down the coping and added a lily and some mare’s tail to ours since last post. Looks diminutive at the moment, but I know these will spread. I’ve just been reading about Iris and looks as though we can plant this in the margins/shallow end which will be good as we’ve a glut in other parts of the garden that could be separated. The only wildlife we’ve seen so far are giants pigeons having their morning bath, and a bunch of flies.

Next job for a quieter period is tidying up the stone work, then it’s on to the lower pond. I’d really like to keep the hydrangea, but it’s going to be a bit tight.

Our (normally very viable) organisation is bending over backwards to keep afloat and within the law during this pandemic. If there are painful decisions to make around redundancies or closure then it is the senior team’s job to do make those decisions. It comes with the territory. As does operating within the law. Read your whistleblowing policy and if there is genuine concern and evidence to support, blow the whistle. As an accountant you also have a responsibility to operate within the law. What will the auditor ask you when they sense any irregularity? Will you have acted, and promptly enough in their eyes?

@bearnecessities YOUR LAWN!!

Nearly there with part 1… painted, tiled and sealed the waterfall bit, the little verticals at each side have been a pain, and still need to trim the left hand one as it’s a smidge too high:

Had a trial run, just overfilling the thing with hose to see what would happen…

And as I thought would happen (but was quietly hoping wouldn’t), we’ve a couple of leaks – both seem to be from under the tiles, in the corners which were hiding under folds in the liner. Bit more fiddling then I can fix the copings, put some gravel or similar down and move onto water plants and the pond at the bottom.

@Jamze – hoping for a free flow waterfall into a second much simpler pond at the bottom. Will probably sort that in the winter when the hydrangea is smaller, and live with the Covid infinity pond as is (minus leaks) for a bit. This will also give chance for plants to establish before we start pumping water around.

I think you’re both right re. the sash thing… there are window sashes, sash windows and casement windows… We’ve just been through similar with old house and ended up replacing with slim aluminium frames with triple glazed units, and very pleased that we did. Worked out at about £800/window. If we were to do it again, I’d try and split the job in half – i.e. do front of house first, then back. We looked closely at wood, but very strict guidelines around warranty/maintenance and found it hard to get suppliers to commit to costs for making good. Think carefully around internal making good/finishes.

ETA… Ahhh 600 yr old is a lot older than 100… incredible if you still have orginal windows, but aluminium may not wash… anyway, alitherm heritage may be worth a look.

Not our place, but seems to be used widely in restoration: