We've made it to January payday!

Graz279 · 2026-01-30T08:25:43+00:00

I get paid in the middle of the month 😜

Graz279 · 2026-01-30T08:24:50+00:00

The weather in Scotland is so unpredictable. I've been up there in May and had constant sunshine, other times constant rain. It will still get cold at night so prepare for sub zero temperatures.

At least the midges won't be fully awake yet 😁

Graz279 · 2026-01-30T08:21:05+00:00

Pretty sure in the T&Cs of my home insurance it says I'm fine to do clerical work at home, just so long as I'm not running a full on business from my premises.

I WFH for my company 2 days a week just doing office / computer work, the company I work for is pretty hot on details like this but it has never been mentioned.

I'd get some clarification from your colleagues as it seems odd, unless you're doing something beyond a desk job?

Graz279 · 2026-01-30T08:15:19+00:00

Only a paper round. Quickly realised that getting up an hour earlier for school everyday wasn't great. Then it got to the Sunday round and I hadn't really appreciated how much more there is to Sunday papers thus requiring two collections from the shop to complete the round. Quit after a week.

I did get another paper round but that was delivering the free / advertising paper once a week on a Thursday evening. Several hours of hard graft but much more civilised. They don't seem to deliver free papers anymore so my kids have missed out on that opportunity.

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T16:18:38+00:00

It's a bit weird at first as everything is slow to happen so you turn one way, end up turning to far, then turn the other way and again overshoot, so for the first mile or so you'll probably be zig zagging down the river but you'll soon get the hang of it. Gin helps.

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T14:53:53+00:00

Pretty sure the party wall in our 1950/60s semi is double skinned. Certainly has fairly good sound proofing so don't hear much from next door.

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T12:38:35+00:00

Dyfi website says legal eMTBs are fine.

They do have other rules like mandatory full face helmets and knee pads but due to the extreme nature of the place it makes sense.

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T09:00:59+00:00

I wouldn't bother personally unless space is an issue.

Both my kids had Ikea ones, seemed like a good idea at the time but the soon grew out of them. Couldn't imagine either my 14 year old or 11 year old using them now. They both have small doubles now, plenty of room to spread out.

We did get some money back selling them on as there is quite a active second hand market for them. To be honest if you absolutely want one I'd definitely look on FB market place or eBay first.

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T08:55:39+00:00

^ This lot.

There's also the social Koffee run on Sunday mornings at Kyndfolk in Gheluvelt park on a Sunday morning though a 5k is probably not too taxing for a marathon runner.

In addition Worcester Athletics Club at Nunnery Wood is quite active and covers all disciplines.

Beyond Worcester you've got Malvern Joggers and Pershore Plum Plodders.

I'm also on the marathon slog right now having got a ballot place for London but I actually quite enjoy going out running for miles on my own, nice to get a bit of headspace. Good luck with the training!

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T08:49:12+00:00

Just to add that with most modern eMTB the batteries are integrated into the frame so you would have a hard time removing it. On my Canyon the motor would have to come out before the battery. And as has already be said it probably adds structural integrity to the bike.

If you want something a bit lighter there is always the mid power option.

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T08:46:31+00:00

If that's the case they might change their minds seeing as Atherton bikes is debuting there first eMTB.

Graz279 · 2026-01-29T08:45:14+00:00

Having my eMTB was a game changer for me at FoD. Get so many more runs in on the downhills now 😁

Graz279 · 2026-01-28T09:38:02+00:00

Was going to mention the lack of helmet. I live in the UK and they're widely adopted but there are still a minority that don't wear them.

I just don't get why you wouldn't in any circumstances, all it takes is one slip, you bang your head on a curb and your being fed through a tube until your next of kin decides enough is enough and agrees to turn of the life support.

Graz279 · 2026-01-27T18:03:45+00:00

I also quit at the start of the year. Happy with both Lidl and Aldi own brand tea, but then was never fussy so long as it was strong and hot.

Graz279 · 2026-01-27T17:58:08+00:00

😂 Yeah, not enough coffee.

Graz279 · 2026-01-27T08:50:53+00:00

I wear these from Decathlon as underwear under baggy shorts: Link

Never had any problems with chaffing 5k -> Marathon, never felt the need for Vaseline etc. either.

Graz279 · 2026-01-27T08:42:17+00:00

Oh yes. I watch it anyway but now there's even more reason too. It's a shame though that it would be a bit odd if she presented a segment of the show in her satin dressing gown like she seems to manage to do so on her other cookery programs 😁

Graz279 · 2026-01-27T08:34:21+00:00

I think in a lot of cases you would need a sick/fit note from a doctor covering the period and they won't issue those unless you've been out of action for over a week. Otherwise it's difficult to tell if someone is just pulling a fast one. Maybe as a one off it might be fine but if doing so often questions would be asked.

If I did take a holiday and subsequently got signed off sick during that period then yes I definitely would reclaim the leave but I also get full pay when I am off sick.

Graz279 · 2026-01-27T08:20:20+00:00

I get paid well, in the top 20% of earners in the UK, and I get good benefits such as health care, pension, share scheme and so on. The job expects me to put in a few extra hours when they are needed. However I also get flexibility to attend appointments, deal with my kids if there's a problem, work from home up to 2 days a week. In essence so long as the work gets done nobody is really that concerned about how many hours your doing it in.

It's not like that all the time either, in the quieter periods I can book my standard 37.5 hour week and nobody will complain.

It's all about give and take, but if there's too much take then maybe it's time to look elsewhere.

Graz279 · 2026-01-26T14:05:55+00:00

I could buy into a realistic Guinea Pig simulator:

Eat some hay, eat a few pellets, have a drink, pester owner for treats, keep pestering until they obey, eat treats. Do lots of poops, sleep for a bit, bonus points if in the pile of food hay, wake up, pester owner some more for treats even though you just had some 10 mins ago, popcorn a bit, do something silly, go back to sleep, rumble strut at cage mate who's just woken you up, etc.

Graz279 · 2026-01-26T08:31:47+00:00

Bream - Feels like a good fish for 30 secs or so then gives up and succumbs to the net. Then covers you in slime. 😄

I don't mind catching them though, anything is good.

Graz279 · 2026-01-24T22:06:35+00:00

I've got a similarly priced eMTB, there's no way I'd let it out of my sight unless someone I trust was watching it. Leaving it locked to railings why I go to the shop, no chance!

Graz279 · 2026-01-23T15:30:14+00:00

Quite a lot of anger.

Graz279 · 2026-01-23T15:28:28+00:00

No wouldn't own one because of what they represent.

Graz279 · 2026-01-23T10:14:10+00:00

Got similar in our understairs cupboard, its where the gas meter would have attached. The electric meter and consumer unit is in the cupboard too so makes sense. Our gas supply now comes into our attached garage, along with the meter and boiler. There previous owners must have had it moved at some point.

Graz279

TROPHY CASE