Insignificant Things That Make You Happy.

[gremlin]

And another one.IMG_1313.jpeg

That's not your little lizard.....


(I'll line 'em up, you knock 'em down with the punchline)

[Felix]

And another one.IMG_1313.jpeg

That's not your little lizard.....


(I'll line 'em up, you knock 'em down with the punchline)

I had never seen a Newt in my life until i moved to my present address some 17 years ago. One was on the back garden wall and that was it until about two weeks ago again out the back with the dog. Little newt walking up the path like it was just out for a stroll. Both occasions it was the Smooth newt with an orange belly.

[Skub]

I had never seen a Newt in my life until i moved to my present address some 17 years ago.

That's because in the frozen wastelands they all look like a stick.

[Felix]

I had never seen a Newt in my life until i moved to my present address some 17 years ago.

That's because in the frozen wastelands they all look like a stick.

Away with you. Where are you, Belfast or surrounding area? Luck if i am 100 miles further north what is tropical compared to Inverness or Aberdeeeeen

[Count Steer]

Well, I set up 'Newt-watch' with the trail camera covering the pond and just inspected the results.

1. Me, waving at the camera from the far side of the pond...just testing.
2. Neighbours cat crossing the little bridge over the little stream/cascade and then chewing a bit of greenery.
3. Wood pigeon waddling across the bridge and having a peck at some greenery.
4. Trees, sky etc as I detached the camera.

All daytime shots so, strangely, no night visits by badgers or foxes and, happily, no heron. Just set it up again and will run it until the batts go flat then recharge 'em.

Tune in for more exciting episodes of 'Newt-watch'.

[gremlin]

Watching tradesmen in vans. They're angry!!! Accelerate hard out of a side road, brake hard at a pedestrian crossing, accelerate hard again!!! Coz they're angry!!!

Obviously not all of them, but the majority around here. Guys ( and girls, obvs)....chill.

[Yorick]

Watching tradesmen in vans. They're angry!!! Accelerate hard out of a side road, brake hard at a pedestrian crossing, accelerate hard again!!! Coz they're angry!!!

Obviously not all of them, but the majority around here. Guys ( and girls, obvs)....chill.

I'd be angry if I lived in that London

[gremlin]

Ox bow lakes.

[weeksy]

As per the boys cycling thread.

We've spent the last few weeks working with a company called Kalas.

https://www.kalas.cc/

As you can see above in link, they're the team who make kits for Alpecin and the world Champ Van Der Poel, as well as the GB squad etc..

So we've been working with the design team on a custom jersey for 2024. It's a little bit later than we'd ideally have liked, but getting things done in MTB land isn't always as quick as you'd think. This was jersey revision 6 in design process and is the final design.

If you recall from a previous post, the name i really like, because that was designed by DMR for their riders and at their request we've had the boys name designed by them in their font/text and added to the jerseys. This feels a little 'special' as only DMR riders will have this, so we feel like we're getting to be more and more part of their team

herseyfinal by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

So it's now off for final completion and getting test garments made, then onto jerseys as well as a baselayer type jacket. He'll keep one of the 3 jerseys as a 'big race' jersey for the European Champs. The blues don't look quite as poppy in this as they should be in reality, they're closer to the blues of his 2023 jersey you've all seen him in.

We're all very excited to get this done and hopefully should be with us for Fort William race in May.

[weeksy]

Kalas.

If you say that literally as it's spelt then in arabic it means "Finished".
It's got one of those throaty sounds like you're coughing something up, but you'd get away without doing that.

It's one of the most common words you'll hear, e.g. when you finish any task, or even a question to ask someone "are we done?" you'd just say "khalas?".

As a race jersey it's quite fitting I think?

Wasn't aware of that... i'll ask them when i next speak what the history of the name is. I think they're a Czech company.

[Count Steer]

Kalas.

If you say that literally as it's spelt then in arabic it means "Finished".
It's got one of those throaty sounds like you're coughing something up, but you'd get away without doing that.

It's one of the most common words you'll hear, e.g. when you finish any task, or even a question to ask someone "are we done?" you'd just say "khalas?".

As a race jersey it's quite fitting I think?

Wasn't aware of that... i'll ask them when i next speak what the history of the name is. I think they're a Czech company.

https://myshop.kalaswear.eu/mtbamelandb ... r-ons-1019

[Noggin]

When a mate gets you into a posh lounge

[gremlin]

Got a young colleague. Tried to explain the fabulous quiz show '3-2-1' to him. In the end I found this and let him watch it.



He's still baffled now....

WTF were those clues all about?

'I have four wheels and go vroom
Sit inside and see how much room'

'Well, bins can have four wheels and 'vroom' is Sanscrit for 'rubbish' and if you sit inside a bin you'll have plenty of room in them...you've won Dusty Bin!!'

Oh, fuck off, Ted.

[gremlin]

Saw a Jag XJS this morning. They've aged well.

(Still wouldn't buy one mind)

[Count Steer]

Saw an old VW Scirocco last night outside the chippy, we'd nipped down for a fish supper and I heard a loud exhaust and saw the old girl pulling away, a VW Scirocco Storm. It looked rough tbh but it put a smile on my face, I love seeing old cars from my youth, there was a time when I'd have been very happy to be cutting about in one of those, IIRC the Storm version was the top of the range.

Anyway, it cheered me right up seeing it.

The Storm was top of the range. I had a 1st generation 'S' reg (Giugiaro design, 4 round headlights) 1600cc council spec one. It was pretty basic inside but, even with a 4 speed box and a top speed not much over a ton it was epic fun. It would do something like 108 or 112 flat out but 96 in third, cocked a back leg in corners if you were enthusiastic etc.

Surprisingly there were eventual rust issues and cooling problems but I got it all sorted, kept it a few years after and eventually sold it to one of my scholars/trainees.

[Rockburner]

Saw an old VW Scirocco last night outside the chippy, we'd nipped down for a fish supper and I heard a loud exhaust and saw the old girl pulling away, a VW Scirocco Storm. It looked rough tbh but it put a smile on my face, I love seeing old cars from my youth, there was a time when I'd have been very happy to be cutting about in one of those, IIRC the Storm version was the top of the range.

Anyway, it cheered me right up seeing it.

The Storm was top of the range. I had a 1st generation 'S' reg (Giugiaro design, 4 round headlights) 1600cc council spec one. It was pretty basic inside but, even with a 4 speed box and a top speed not much over a ton it was epic fun. It would do something like 108 or 112 flat out but 96 in third, cocked a back leg in corners if you were enthusiastic etc.

Surprisingly there were eventual rust issues and cooling problems but I got it all sorted, kept it a few years after and eventually sold it to one of my scholars/trainees.

I had a Scirocco for a few years, not sure of the engine size, but it was an auto (I had a couple of autos due to the bike accident that damaged my right knee, autos were easier to drive with left-foot braking).

I did like it a lot. IIRC I "donated" it to someone on VD (swapped for a case of beers ), he'd just done his leg in as well in a bike accident. I seem to remember he eventually wrecked it by driving far too fast along a dirt track and one of the front struts was pushed through the chassis.

I always wanted a Corrado though.....

[Count Steer]

The Storm was top of the range. I had a 1st generation 'S' reg (Giugiaro design, 4 round headlights) 1600cc council spec one. It was pretty basic inside but, even with a 4 speed box and a top speed not much over a ton it was epic fun. It would do something like 108 or 112 flat out but 96 in third, cocked a back leg in corners if you were enthusiastic etc.

Surprisingly there were eventual rust issues and cooling problems but I got it all sorted, kept it a few years after and eventually sold it to one of my scholars/trainees.

I had a Scirocco for a few years, not sure of the engine size, but it was an auto (I had a couple of autos due to the bike accident that damaged my right knee, autos were easier to drive with left-foot braking).

I did like it a lot. IIRC I "donated" it to someone on VD (swapped for a case of beers ), he'd just done his leg in as well in a bike accident. I seem to remember he eventually wrecked it by driving far too fast along a dirt track and one of the front struts was pushed through the chassis.

I always wanted a Corrado though.....

The auto version was pretty rare in the UK (mainly sold in the USA). Having just been reading up on them I guess mine wasn't quite so council spec...blue metallic paint and alloy wheels. From the registration it was probably a '78. One previous owner, a mid-wife! From the rust issues I experienced I thought it must have been pranged and straightened but never found any real evidence. After I sold it I got a Renault 5. (which was actually better for driving in 'that London' - I lived in North Wales when I bought the VW and that was ).

I rather fancied a Corrado too.

[Noggin]

Not really insignificant, but I got a message from a mate earlier today. I'm cat sitting for them the beginning of May so I get use of a CB1000 (and Subaru!! )

Anyway the message was -

Ok Nogs, I just had a thought in the middle of the night with a sore knee* that it’s going to be at least three months possibly even four before I’m anywhere anywhere near riding Sensible** again (very worried about the weight of the bike on the inside of the knee when I’m standing still) - she’s insured for third-party fire and theft and quite frankly keep her up in resort and ride her.
Have fun enjoy and as and when I feel strong enough I’ll give you a call. She’s going to need a CT before the middle of August, but quite frankly that can wait. I doubt there’s much to be done apart from chain lube. The oil is a year old, but it hasn’t been used for more than about 25 km. Enjoy!!

* He's just had a knee replacement after putting it off for a long time!

** He's an ex racer - calls the CB1000 Sensible!! Personally I don't think it's remotely sensible for an 'older gent' on the short side with dodgy joints!! But the name makes me laugh, a lot!!


Woo bloody hooo

I have messaged back asking if he can make it fully comp if I pay the difference - just in case like!! But damn, what a brilliant offer. Am now going to try and find covered parking for it for the end of the season and go get it as soon as I have somewhere safe for it to live

[Druid]

Doesn't he know your history?

[Noggin]

Doesn't he know your history?

He does. Weird isn't he!!


He also knows I've realised I no longer have the (relative) skills I used to and so will be more chilled!

Here's hoping for no unexpected/unseen traffic queues with an Astra at the back!!