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Update from last post - after an exciting transition period including wife having go to Ireland as mother had heart attack and me getting covid so delaying stuff couple of weeks - wee man came to live with us 2 1/2 weeks ago.
Stuck him on the kids ride shotgun seat this afternoon and he seems to enjoy it - the indoctrination has begun 😁
Just the wait to apply for adoption order now then can be relieved of social workers 🤞
I thought this thread was dead!
@northshoreniall Good news for you, hope it all goes well. You’re taking on more responsibility and I’ve managed to lose some, and a load of worries. Dad settled into a lovely new care home, very close. It’s expensive for him but we know he’s safe and appears to be enjoying it so far!
@wheelsonfire1 that's good, will give you peace of mind he's safe and mean your visits can be more enjoyable for all as less fraught worrying what walking in to.
Yeah, touch more responsibility 😁 who needs a peaceful life anyway.
I thought this thread was dead!
It popped into my head on the way round my ride today 🙂
My dad had planned a Hebridean holiday with my mum - who lost her cancer battle 21 years ago, the spring before they took the May holiday. My dad only told me of this just before Christmas. He turns 80 in the summer and isn't in the best of health.
I've spent the last week introducing my dad to the delights of Islay, Jura, Mull, Iona and Ulva.
The wild weather at the start of the week was memorable for the wave size at isle of Orsay/Rhinns lighthouse - and my dad has a thing for lighthouses. Jura was as wild as anywhere he's been. We had empty beaches on Islay and paddled in the sea.
We've moved to Mull - and while cold had just stunningly clear and sunny views.
Today we say 5 golden eagles, 3 white tailed eagles and 2 otters.
We've been on 12 ferries so far - from outboard motor to RoRo. He's enjoyed all of them.
Dad was all but in tears at Ardalanish, overlooking Colonsay, paps of Jura and Islay across a turquoise sea. He spent a few hours in the abbey, church and community centre on Islay (he's a man of deep faith).
Today we sat for over half an hour on a rock together looking at nothing but the view at Lochbuie while he marvelled at the sea colour again.
Ace. Just ace.
Nice one MoaB!
Never too old for some Dad time.
My little bit of positivity doesn't compare but...sun's been out so grass cut and some light hedge trimming; just topped up bird feeders and now standing outside with cold beer listening to birdsong.
Also received new photos of my american grandchildren.
Well, those last few posts have given me a lift, it’s good to hear of other peoples positive experiences. Sometimes difficult but if there’s even a tiny glimmer it’s worth reflecting on.
I tested positive for the Covid last Saturday, but just had a sore throat.
Tested negative yesterday.
Which was nice.
Managed some gardening in the sunshine today without getting too much out of breath, the same couldn’t be said for my less than 5 mile ride yesterday! Blimey, got some post Covid building up to do..
Met up with a mate for a short road ride from Castleton to Baslow and back today.
We don't meet up as often as we'd like as family commitments for both of us make arranging it tricky, but was a beautiful sunny day in stunning spring weather. Nearly got hit by two deer who shot across the road as we went from Hathersage to Grindleford, the first time he's had that happen to him on a ride.
The Super 7 breakfast at the Cafe on the Green in Baslow is rather splendid.
40 years ago this year since we met at secondary school.
@MoreCashThanDash that sounds like a great ride, thanks for the breakfast recommendation in Baslow, I’ll ride off-road from Wingerworth and give it a try!
Ah ha, had a dip this afternoon, no reflection on your visit, Stephen, then realised that I’d not looked at the special place in hell thread today.
I don’t believe in hell/heaven but also it is a very angry thread, so, I’m better off without it,
Building a wall didn’t go well though, but my dogs got me through it!
Such a good idea for a thread! Last week was a write-off for me, but today I've had energy to actually do life shit. Several rides out to the cardboard bins, one to the bottle bank, a whole pile of dead branches dealt with, and a couple of loads of washing done - and, crucially. put away - and I am knackered but feeling worthy again. And I managed to beat Leader Cliff in Pokémon Go! Best Monday in ages.
Does taking 30 years to solve several personal problems count as positive?
There is still one last remaining personal problem to solve ...
There was a sparrowhawk perched on a neighbour's roof for 15 mins on Saturday. I was sat having a post-walk tea and cake watching it weighing up whether or not to eat my teenage nephew in the garden.
We've lived here for 9 years and I've not seen one locally in all that time
😎
PS my nephew survived
There was a sparrowhawk perched on a neighbour’s roof
That’s brilliant, I blinking love a good sparrowhawk watch. A rare treat.
My positive story today starts with a downer but ends positive;
Absolutely floored by post-COVID fatigue. Tested negative two weeks ago. Have been working since. Thought I was well over it, went to work, discovered I was not right after I arrived in the office. But yesterday I put some cds on and enjoyed the music, rediscovered an old passion for music and a nerdy fascination for hifi and technology. Posted a thread. Got loads of people contributing here on “the bike forum” - that’s what I tell my partner it is. Got really interesting contributions from others on here. Ordered a not-expensive new nerdy hifi toy to play with. Love the bike forum.
Last few posts uplifting for me, not just about me though!, we get Sparrowhawks through the garden, if we see them it’s either a blur as they hedge hop after a high level surveillance or if they catch something they sit on it a bit, or, they sit about for a bit looking embarrassed if they swoop and miss! And I’m sure the Buzzards circle looking at our dogs!
@misteralz and @chewkw and @goldfish24 and @ElShalimo
Spread the positivity, we can do it! Or we can help each other.
A grey day, called in to see my grandson. He was just waking and I held him whilst he filled his nappy! Watched him moving around on the changing mat and whilst he fed. Held him again and almost got a smile. This thread is a lot more cheerful than some, concentrate on positive and life affirming events and try and ignore the negative that we can’t do much about?
For instance, although I live near the Peak District and have a nice view over a country park (it wasn’t always the case, it was the most polluted site in Europe) I did get really cross about cars and motorcycles with pop and bang exhausts that accelerate at phenomenal speed from the roundabout below us, I still get cross with speeding drivers probably due to my previous, previous, career, but try to not let it affect my own driving. I drive defensively and mutter criticism under my breath, sometimes people pull out in front of me inconveniently, sometimes I realise that I might do the same. I refer you to the first paragraph! Look for the positive!
Take care you all.
Go for a local walk, smell the wild garlic, look for bluebells, primroses, lambs etc
Spring is here !!
@golf chick - all the wayback on pg1 you posted about 3 rolls of wallpaper for new house; is it a doll's house or are the rolls massive?
A bit more personal positivity - with UK grandson on Sunday; grandad can we play in sandpit outside - yes, of course; imaginative play burying and excavating, making sand drinks and sand food - keeping a straight face whilst he was in his imaginary world.
Wild garlic not up here yet, however, I’ve got something in the back of my very jumbled head about ants being responsible for distributing primrose seeds. Who’d have thought it? Is it true?
which bit of the peak are you in?
Never said in The Peak, always Chezvegas! Well slightly south and a long haul over and back but worth it. Still 3 x 9 get some pace up between bridleways!
Clear message to me from this thread is that positivity can be had for free - nature and family, for example.
I've been having problems with my hip. A visit to a sports physiotherapist (who was recommended by a STWer - this place is ace),has sorted out the problems. She identified that one leg is shorter, (now got a gel shoe insert). I was given acupuncture and some simple exercises to do. I now feel fantastic.
Also there was a siskin in the garden.
@Bunnyhop not seen a siskin for a while, used to get lots of them. However, still no energy after covid so pretended I was on holiday, went up to the summerhouse with STW 142 lay down with one of the dogs on my chest, listened to skylarks and read the magazine. Uplifted and relaxed.
It's nearly Easter ... Time to eat chocolate bunnies and simnel cake.
😎
#1 son finally got married last week after COVID delay to possibly the nicest and kindest young lady on the face of the planet. Grandson has just reached the stage of giving cute grins and laughing. Two rescue dogs firmly added to the pack. Snowdrops, bluebells and celandines all out in the local wood; First time ever I think. Four day work week now in place, sun and the long bank holiday now here.
There’s a big bad world out there but I’ll focus on my own little world for now. +ve ian-r
On a week of annual leave and had planned a stay at home break with family dog walks, regular rides and swims, something properly outdoors and physical every day. Felt ill with splitting head, cough and no energy since Sat and went for PCR this morning.. 🙄.
Reading this thread helps keep it all in perspective though 👍
My lovely wife Mrs NBT (aka @bunnyhop) made some pitta breads for lunch today - as in made the dough and cooked them in the oven, not bought a pack from the supermarket and stuck them in the toaster
They were delicious
Next challenge, home made houmous to go with them...
Yesterday a new lamb got out of a local field. We helped the farmer herd it back to its mother. I got to stroke the tiny, cutest thing. T'was so soft and made my day getting the annual 'lamb fix'.
Yesterday a new lamb got out of a local field. We helped the farmer herd it back to its mother. I got to stroke the tiny, cutest thing. T’was so soft and made my day getting the annual ‘lamb fix’.
Lambs seem later than usual down here in the lower end of the Peak, but they are a highlight of my year.
Many years ago, when eldest was maybe 4 and youngest was 18 months, we spent Easter on a farm in Northumberland, in a cottage opposite the lambing barn. Every morning and evening we would go in and the student vets on placement would let us see the new arrivals and bottle feed the strays. The kids don't really remember it now (18 and 15) but Best. Holiday. Ever!
@nbt hummus can be easy, tinned chick peas, tahini, garlic. Lemon juice and olive or rapeseed oil. Blended to your required texture. However, there are many more recipes available. Many, many!
Loads of wild garlic on my local ride, walked down the hill in a thin shirt, bottle open, happy as Larry.
You can make wild garlic pesto if there's loads going spare
😎
I know someone we called Larry, always happy but I think a bit mad. I don’t like to be negative on this thread, but, there’s been some stuff in the press about wholesale pillaging of “our” wild garlic by people paid cash by posh restaurants…
My positivity is that people pay money for something that they could get for free, if my dogs have tiddled on it, even better!
Gnusmas thread A positive enough post for a a good while!
I’m feeling practically blissed out and thought this thread should have a bump. My daughter has friends over for a sleepover and they’re happily giggling away upstairs. My son has been delivering them popcorn and hot chocolate and now we’re going to watch a film together. And I’ve had three different adults that I haven’t seen for ages come sit in my garden for a nice chat and drinks. Just lovely. Hope you all have a happy bank holiday.
I totally get how good that feels stwhannah.
My positive feeling tonight: got the kids into bed, then delivered two donated bikes to a new friend who’s about to host a Ukrainian family. The bikes were sourced by another new friend who appealed for donations on the Nextdoor app, then appealed for someone who actually knew their way around a bike to ensure it was in good order (enter me). Mother & daughter will now have a wonderful means of transport once they arrive, and a local mens shed has refurbished a bike for little bruv.
I've just gone to see the sunset over Loch Venechar. Lush. 😎
We had a positive chat re adopting a rescue dug.
northshoreniall - thumbs up to you!
In the UK good people still outnumber the bigots, chavs, racists and sexists.
The arses always get the (undeserved) publicity but the silent majority will always win - in the long term.
Tune out the chav noise and listen to nature.
I thought this thread was dead, again!
Helped a mate lift a ridiculously heavy part of our history made by William Morris and Edward Carpenter to save it from destruction by the English Church. They know nowt about history, humanity or the creativity of normal working people.
Part positive part true?
Have a good weekend whether you’re working (as a lot of people have to do) or relaxing.
Up to date with all my exam classes teaching and assessment. Predicted grafes are looking very good indeed, despite the covid damage.
Son #1 is getting married soon, we are all meeting up for a meal in Cardiff to have a big old chat.
And then off to Don Skenes for a mooch about- it's pay day after all innit!?!
Everything round here smells of wood smoke tonight, I think absolutely everyone's had a barbeque and every woodburner is lit. It is absolutely lovely, and always makes me feel really peaceful and de-stressed, though it does also make me want bacon.
Lovely communte home last night on the cross bike on my longer bridleway route. Park run this morning looks like it will be stunning weather here.
Nice walk along the river Ara with Mrs Spekkie yesterday morning followed by a fast and furious couple of hrs on the MTB on my own in the evening.
Every little Spanish village I rode through seemed to be setting up for a Fiesta this weekend. People give you an "Hola" and a wave as you pass, it was a lovely warm evening, I was feeling strong on the bike and halfway through my ride I stopped in to pick up some money from a Dutch woman I did some work for earlier this week!
Life has it's ups and downs, but after a day like that you go to bed very content with the world.
🙂
We're riding (the tandoom) to a local village hall to buy plants, mostly tomato, salads and veg. These are grown from seed by an elderly lady who runs the local RHS group. I think most of the money goes to charity.
Everyone wins: reasonably prices plants for me and a charity benefits.
The challenge is to carry them in the panniers and get in a decent ride over the hills after visiting the village hall.
Rode at Wharncliffe earlier and slayed a few demons.
I rode there (for the first time in a long time) between Xmas and New Year and had a total shit fit. It was my first away trip since doing my collarbone at the start of October and the combination of steep, rocky twistiness just messed with my head so much I had a full-on bike-throwing tantrum. Luckily my riding buddies were there to witness my descent into ranting absurdity, so I'm reminded of it at least once a week.
Anyhow - I wouldn't say I ripped Wharncliffe a new one or anything vaguely close, buy I did grow to appreciate it, regain a fair bit of confidence on it and really enjoy many of the runs we did.
👍
Started work again on building some very small garden walls. I’d started after I’d had covid and a big black cloud descended on me so I’d abandoned.
A bit warm for it today but almost done!
Despite being away at work on the ship, and there not being much going on that adds to this thread:
1 - Currently have the much better of the head chefs onboard, so food is good.
2 - Found some bars of Rittersport choccie buried in the back of my locker that I'd forgotten about.
3 - Took some weights outside onto the deck and exercised in tropical warmth and pleasant breezes.
Free anal porn isn't it.
Next door neighbours have had what I think must be their neice round this afternoon, who sounds about 3-4 years old and has spent the afternoon in the garden playing with their incredibly well behaved and tolerant labrador.
Just an afternoon of happy child's laughter coming over fence, it's been lovely.
Listening to a Bach stream and I read the Wiki entry on Pablo Casals, what a geezer! Joie de vivre or what? The old dog. Mind you, I prefer Yo-Yo Ma.
Spent today helping my bruv rip out a shed he's had for 25 years in the corner of the garden ready for the new one next weekend.
Digging out the soil from around the old paving slabs and found a baby robin standing two foot from my feet waiting for any ants worms or whatever.
First of the year for me and such a perky little bugger. Still smiling about it.
He hung around for an hour or so with the occasional parent stood on the fence watching.
I think I saw you there, you had an issue with your grips so glad to hear it didn’t hold you up. I was the lost random with a t-shirt on back to front who followed you down. It was my first time there and hopefully going back tomorrow. Thanks to you your pal for showing me a way in.
May Day celebrations in Chesterfield tomorrow! My daughters have many memories of this walking with the FBU and Fire Service contingent, at the back so if we got a shout we could respond.
It was one of the largest in the country and hopefully it’ll build back up, if not it’ll be like minded people being friendly.
And.. it is a positive experience!
Ha, yes, glad you enjoyed yourself. My mate who knows the trails pretty well also managed to find a bolt on his garmin mount that fitted. It knackered the collar of my grip, but I had spares at home anyway.
Wharncliffe is a real change of mindset for me. Just so much steeper than what I am used to. So it was good to start to feel a bit more comfortable with it.
👍
Yes, May Day in Chesterfield was good, followed by a walk up The Brampton Mile.. opposite way to the traditional route but ok. I’m home safe now so nobody needs to worry!
Was doing some gardening with the missus earlier and looked at the state of the bird bath and decided to give it a clean up. I then remembered that it came from her late grandmother's house when she died, so I got the wire wool attachments and the drill out and buffed it up to a spanking finish with a bit of patina. Jay Blades eat your heart out. 😂
One year and about 5 hours ago I was sat crying in a wrecked garden shed, wrapped in a duvet with my wrists slashed.
Today I am in a good place. A lot of the bad stuff has been cleared out and new positive foundations have been laid.
Weirdly I have spent the weekend helping my brother literally rip down old stuff and start building new foundations.
Thanks for the support folks. You know who you all are.
We spent the weekend on a family holiday - 15 of us!
It was the first time in >5 years that all the kids and grandkids were with my parents. It was great and my parents were really happy.
eddiebaby - I remember that awful time, what a relief you have turned a corner and are feeling so much better.
bunnyhop x
@Bunnyhop thanks. It has been a year of deciding what is important. We kept the newspapers running and I got a second job with an Covid group plus sorted out things like claiming my pension that I'd never got round to...
A new job is just around the corner, i'm working with a local canal group on maintenance and tidying plus a lot of walking and riding around the heathlands of Surrey.
Oh and bikes and guitars too.
Just tried wingfoiling for the first time and loved it, so I'm probably going to vanish to Western Sahara for a month to practise.
Yep, life is good. And better than the alternative.
Saw my first cygnets of the year this morning.
Got a nice bunch of wild garlic on my dog walk at lunch, used some in my omelette.
Lovely big crop locally this year.
Back to back with an evening and a day ride at the weekend. Pretty much brain fog free since January and a general upward path out of long Covid. Fancy a new bike which probably a good sign.
I gave my saw bench away yesterday to my best mates neighbour. He’s a builder but a builder who doesn’t overcharge so not flush. He was so chuffed. My new saw bench folds and has wheels so easier to store and move about - my Megasack winnings paid for it, I was hoping for enough for a new bike but hey, I’ve been spreading the STW love!
The cherry blossom was falling like snowflakes yesterday. Beautiful.
While ago to be fair, but it pleased me.
One sunny day out with the mrs walking round the quieter town footpaths, tearing towards us a couple of nippers on bikes, so we moved to the grass verge to let them pass, huge smiles and thanks shouts as they tore past on a mission, then just a few minutes later as we came round the bottom of the hill path, rolling down from the top was a topless teenagerish, tattoos everywhere, shirt tied round waist, fag on bottom lip, shades on, we moved over and as he swept down the hill past us, up the thumb came up, the head nodded, cheers was the shout. If only all cyclists could say thanks when you work with them.
Having a rest from gardening this afternoon so walked up to the woodland at the top. Bluebells in full flower mixed with the pink of the first campion. Down at ground level vivid purple violets and pink herb robert, birds singing very loudly, including a warbler I’m still trying to identify. I’m going to record it to play for my Dad in the care home - he’ll know what it is.
Been idly looking at a new bike for LittleMissMC as she is not so Little anymore and has outgrown the Commencal that the classifieds built a few years ago.
Lady in the cycle club posted up a Boardman HT this morning, just been round to have a look, bank transfer done and she has an immaculate £700 bike for £300, and is planning on Tuesday nights being bike night.
Winning!
I had a bike fit yesterday and I'm not as twisted and broken as I thought I was. I'm just a bit crap and getting old.
I went for a nice walk and lunch with a good mate today and it was sunny
😎
Got sunburnt though 🤦
I spent most of the day helping my mate with his old landrover. He thought it funny when I got sprayed with brake fluid, I thought it funny when I sprayed brake cleaner down the back of his jeans, a good shriek and lots of laughter!
@the-muffin-man has it for me for today or in fact, a few days!
A good feeling.
I've noticed how nice the air is this week - between smell of bluebells and blossom, and just nice clean air off North Atlantic.
Take a deep breath folks.
Full year now since I finished chemo. Had to wait a wee while before surgery as it had filled my lungs with blood clots, but I'm 6 months after the final surgery now and Trevor the bowel tumour is starting to become a fading bad memory.
Heading down to the Lakes next weekend with my biking buddies. I'm stupidly, stupidly excited!
👍👍👍