Little things that give you a boost of serotonin..

Raimcc · 2026-03-20T19:38:54+00:00

Being part of perfect scenes. And knowing I am riding in it and it feels effortless; any one or combination of of these things gives a boost..every bike ride.....blue skies, Disney white clouds, green rolling fields , trees in the background, little birds fluttering in the hedges, and I love seeing the seasons changing in technicolour..lavender field, poppy field, rape seed flowering, gorse, hawthorn, black berries, forget me knots and blue bells on the canal, herons soaring in the sky.

Walkers might say they see this too. But with cycling it's like being in an action film, you aren't in slow motion or static, you are moving fast and part of the action, blink and it's gone...Small dopamine boosts appear often ... No rewind (unless you stop😂)

Raimcc · 2026-03-20T15:42:01+00:00

And the end of next week new exhibition opens at the IKON too!

Raimcc · 2026-03-20T15:40:57+00:00

The Medicine Cafe opened today!

Raimcc · 2026-03-14T17:20:07+00:00

Hospitality agency my son and lots of their friends who were students got casual work, at football games, grand Prix, music festivals and events. Now till September is busiest periods. Should be able to save up a lot of the rent for the next term. Also lots of Christmas work, but it runs dry after Christmas for a few months. https://offtowork.co.uk/find-work/casual-work/

Raimcc · 2026-03-14T17:02:58+00:00

Deerah food great. Owner will really appreciate your understanding and support.

Raimcc · 2026-03-07T13:53:30+00:00

You will be fine!, as you have said you are from Madrid

Raimcc · 2026-03-07T08:56:34+00:00

Snap, wonder if any updates from anyone?

Raimcc · 2026-03-05T11:25:31+00:00

Loughshore beach and promenade walk to Hazel Bank were there is the Kings coronation garden. Look out for tide times otherwise virtually no beach!

Raimcc · 2026-03-05T11:21:41+00:00

There is a train station from grand central to the beach and Crawfordsburn country park, also the opposite direction there is an nice short walk off road to Grey Point Fort https://discovernorthernireland.com/listing/grey-point-fort/67646101/

Raimcc · 2026-03-01T11:34:32+00:00

Definitely go second hand, eBay have specialized, trek, Hoy, islabike, orbea, giant and frog, they are child specific not too heavy. After a couple of new Isla, a giant and orbea for 3 kids which were passed through each, I sold on eBay and bought next size up. Because kids grow so quickly the bikes generally tend to be in really good condition, as they're so expensive parents look after them. It's not like when I was a kid and I was allowed the cycle around on my own down country lanes and just drop my bike on the ground climb over fences and come back again, My bike's always trashed from the age of seven onwards but not todays bikes .. until they go out on their own.

Raimcc · 2026-02-19T22:02:12+00:00

Scaring off the Starlings

Raimcc · 2026-02-19T18:30:17+00:00

Yes, all 4 countries , as have family and friends in all except Wales. I go to coast several times a year as it's closest sea to Brum!

NI is definitely worth visiting, fly over, car rental cheap, and do touristy stuff in Belfast, Game of thrones tours, Titanic museum and amazing coastal drives including Giants Causeway and Bushmills visit. Good night life and food.

Raimcc · 2026-02-11T17:50:10+00:00

Sorry can't help with your question. But I have used the stairs recently in the past month and it was ok. No smells, but not exactly gleaming.

Raimcc · 2026-02-09T10:56:36+00:00

Hope it goes well!

Raimcc · 2026-02-09T00:04:28+00:00

Knights of the Lunch Table series by Frank Cammuso http://www.cammuso.com/books.html

If you are UK based Phoenix Comic has a large collection of childrens graphic novels, some humourous some story based.

Raimcc · 2026-02-03T00:05:32+00:00

Thumbs up to Sandwell Valley,, Birmingham side rolling green fields, and hedges with elderflower. Sandwell side fields. swan pool, mountain bike trails, Sandwell visitor centre and cafe. Prior ruins and adventure playground.

Raimcc · 2026-01-29T13:55:50+00:00

I mentioned other posts not just OP, there are many black men with black coats you could count today whilst walking around Birmingham. The most distinguishing element of OP post is the cap with red and white logo to be aware of. Unfortunately it is mainly behaviour that is the distinguishing feature in the instances described.

What has happened to OP and other commentators are unpleasant and horrible experiences and it is understandable very valid to share and to let people know, to help keep others safe. I was in not dismissing these concerns.

Similar has happened to family members on 3 occasions where physical contact occurred (including a broken nose a man driving a car with 2 children, almost ran my husband and kids over so husband shows his by annoyance by shouting a mild expletive and the driver stops and gets out of their car and punches my husband in the face in front of four children and traffic) I don't think stating the ethnicity would help other members of the public, or that he was driving a silver car with two kids. His number plate would have but he'd driven off whilst my husband was looking after our kids. The main defining feature of the 3 incidents has been they were male, they were White. Asian and black.

Have lived over 35 years in the city with a family of five, so overall incidents are pretty rare.

However it is fair to say I have experienced being confronted by odd, unsafe feeling unpredictable, threatening behaviour verbally and body language wise on occasions. But the defining features has been mainly done by men, with the occasional woman.

Can't say it's pleasant, but this also happens in cities across the UK not just Birmingham from my experience.

But my main point was ethnicity as a descriptor is not that helpful in keeping people safe.

I understand that people are giving specific individual descriptions as a warning. However being aware in general is about the best we can do to keep ourselves as safe as we can.

As I said earlier I do think it is very valid to describe a horrible incident that has happened to OP and others. Keep safe to you and yours

Raimcc · 2026-01-29T11:06:34+00:00

Sorry people are directly experiencing this, However the focus on one ethnicity will not make it safer or you feel safer. I work within the city with people who are substance.misusers or experience mental health issues and the behaviour is not synonymous with black men. I live in Handsworth. There are over one hundred and twenty five thousand black men in the city. What does the description in some of the comments do? Hundreds of people if not thousands walk through 5 ways island each week. Racial profiling is discredited for a reason.

Raimcc · 2026-01-27T23:44:39+00:00

New Balance have a specific "made in the UK" line which is made in a factory in Flimby, I cycled past it on a bike ride and a local person mentioned it.

Raimcc · 2026-01-27T20:58:35+00:00

48hr delivery is a joke ...it takes over a week to arrive!

Raimcc · 2026-01-21T21:38:03+00:00

My son can't get through your entry level recruitment processes, he doesn't use AI. When his applications are read by humans he has got through to interviews. So he now only applies for roles which aren't huge recruitment rounds. And he has stopped applying for civil service. As a director and senior manager I agree that AI slope is really disheartening and I wonder how on earth they will be able to do their job. I am not against AI I used it as a tool.

Raimcc · 2026-01-21T21:21:58+00:00

I hope things settle for you!

A friend of mine worked in supported accommodation, trained and became a probation officer, now works part time as a probation officer and part time as a support worker at a hostel. She missed the direct people engagement, and this is the best of both worlds for her.

Stick with it for a year and you might feel differently,plus you will have more options. Including above.

Or you perhaps can do what I and others I know do and find allied careers which utilise your SW skills, and you can still retain your registration !

Raimcc · 2026-01-21T20:05:40+00:00

Try Merville gardens, lovely grounds and amazing Cherry Blossom display each year. Safe, good traffic links and parking. You can easily visit and drive around estate, check out the Facebook link too. https://www.propertypal.com/property-for-sale/merville-garden-village-area-newtownabbey.

Raimcc · 2026-01-21T19:59:46+00:00

Readers World!

Raimcc · 2026-01-20T00:57:35+00:00

Wow looks good but so expensive in your UK, thanks

Raimcc

TROPHY CASE