If you say the word

On Thursday I finally received the bike I had ordered back in September. I rather large box arrived containing my brand new VanMoof X3 electric bike. The X3 packs a 503w battery with a claimed range around 30 miles. 

I bought this on cyclescheme a government backed scheme while enables you to purchase a bike via your employer. The payments are made over 12 months and are taken out of your pre tax income so you save paying the tax on them. 

Before I was able to take it for a test spin I have to assemble a few items. Fortunately all the tools required come bundled in a neat little kit with he bike. The kit also includes a pump to inflate the chunky tyres.

The X3 is designed to be low maintenance, it uses hub gears which are covered from the elements. The chain has a good guard over it and the wheels are fitted with mudguards. It's all nicely engineered in a way to maintain pleasing aesthetics. 

The electronics and battery are all build into the frame. This helps the bike look quite normal, however it does mean that the battery can't be removed to charge you have to plug the bike in. This isn't an issue for me as I have a garage with power but for some might be a deal breaker.

On the top of a the tube is a very basic matrix display which displays some status information  including the current speed while riding.

There is an inbuilt lock which with a tap locks the motor and activates at alarm. Anybody who attempts to interfere with the bike will be treated to a very loud alarm. There is an inbuilt modem and sim card allowing the bike to phone home with its location. I believe this is used by the bike detectives to track down stolen bikes. The X3 is also able to be registered in with Apples find me so you can view the location of the bike from your phone. There is also a manual method to unlock the bike tapping in a code if you phone is out of charge.

The Bike is controlled by an app on you phone, this controls some of the gear settings, the chime of the bell and records speed distance and assistance of rides. One thing I would have really like to see is some integration with Apple Health. While you are getting assistance you still have to pedal so some calories are being used!

I popped to the postoffice using the boost assist to ride up the steep Cow Lane in Wilmslow. This is exactly what I bought the bike for, I was able to quickly pop to the town centre and back at least as quickly as if I had used the car. It only used about 8% of the battery on using full assistance and boost up a steep hill so can make plenty of trips before needed a recharge.  

Overall so far very impressed will write up a more long term review once I have used it a few more times. 

 

Night City

 

This morning I completed Cyberpunk earning the Temperance achievement leaving Jonny Silverhand to take over Vs body. I had already completed as many of the ending the other ending branches. Personally I've found it an amazing game, in spite of the glitches (of which there are many!).

I bought Cyberpunk 2077 back in December. I got a deal with it on stadia which included a free stadia pro edition to play on. Its a huge world you can get lost in, it might not have been the groundbreaking event that it was hyped up to be. It is however in my opinion a solid and enjoyable game. I hope that they release some extra content for it.

All you're dreaming of

After a very hectic time spent mostly at the various hospitals or trying to catch up with deprived sleep, on Christmas Eve we finally made it home as a family. 

It all started last Wednesday when Kath went in for a routine scan. They decided at that point to keep her in the antenatal ward and induce the labour. It turned out not to be an exact science and with the labour ward being very busy it wasn't until Saturday evening her waters broke.

Thom was born at 6:03 on Sunday morning, I was handed him by the midwife while Kath was still asleep from the general anaesthetic. I sat for a few moments with my newborn son and wife wondering what just happened! It was a scary few hours after a labouring through the night, Kath ended up having to go back in to the theatre again to remove a blood clot and make sure there is no further bleeding. 

Thom's also had a rough time during the birth. He was rather bruised and one of his legs was swollen. They thought that the leg got injured during the birth, and after much faffing at Wythenshawe Hospital we were told to take him to Manchester Children's. It wasn't quite the first family outing that we had expected! Hardly a National Trust family fun site. Due to Covid only Kath and Thom were allowed in, it took them a few hours to decide to admit him. Initially they expected him to stay in Manchester while Kath went back to Wythenshawe. 

Fortunately after some conversations she ended up getting transferred to the Manchester Royal too. After an MRI scan it turned out his femur was fractured near the hip joint, this wasn't visible on an X Ray as with his age the hip growth plate is cartilage rather than bone. Initially we were told he would need a surgery to pin the bone, he was first on the list in the morning. When morning came however the consultant had done a MDT with others and some literature review and decided instead to treat Thom conservatively using a harness which Thom will have to wear for a few weeks. At which point we will take him back for another scan and see where he is at.

Christmas eve both Kath and Thom were discharged, finally we got to go home! It was a lovely feeling. On Christmas Day we got up a little tired but glad to be home. My parents brought round Christmas dinner for us, and they got to meet Thom. Fortunately even in Tier 3 there is an allowance for a support bubble for children under 2. We spent the rest of the day cuddled up watching TV, Kath had never seen "It's a Wonderful Life" before!

Behind the buzzword

Feedback from the event

I did my first public ever speaking last night bit as part of behind the buzzword.  It seemed to go really well, I felt confident and got some great feedback and questions at the end.

The talk was about docker, giving some of the rational on why I think it is a great technology.

It was a virtual event using teams with something in the region of 100 attendees. Behind the buzzword is organised by Ross Townsend, and this time sponsored by carfinance 247. I'd been to one of the live ones back before the lock down.

For anyone interested I've uploaded the demo code to github and the slides are available below

Me talking docker

Locked down

Lockdown has been going on for more than a month now. While I am luckier than some, I have a job I and continue remotely, and a garden to relax in there are days when it all gets a bit much. 

Working remotely starting into other peoples living rooms, kitchens and home offices is a weird experience that I haven't quite gotten used to yet.

One of my colleagues lives in an apartment in the city centre, that seems a lot harder. No outdoor space to access easily.

Finland, ‎January 2020

via IFTTT

New York day 5

We started the day with a bagel before going to explore the high line. Then for a wonder around Central Park. I should have got my medal engraved but somehow forgot it at the hotel, then decided that the queue was too big. 

I really missed out wearing it, most people seemed to have theirs on and got high fives and words of encouragement from passers by.

In the evening we headed to the the top of the Rockafella to take in the views, then headed to the hidden burger joint, which was phenomenal.

New York Marathon

Posing with my medal

I made it, the New York marathon is completed. That is my 3rd marathon after Berlin 2017 and Manchester 2016.

The day started very early as al runners have to get to Staten Island before the start of the race. This meant I got the bus there at 6am. This was a bit unfortunate for me as I was in the final wave I had a long wait there before the start.

After a lot of waiting and long line for the lavatory I finally got to start. It is hard to pace yourself as you head over the bridge into Brooklyn. Annoyingly one of the magnetic holders of my number came off and I was so scared I might lose my number that I stopped at an aid station for a safety pin. Losing about 10 minutes in the process.

Brooklyn was my favourite part of the course so many diverse people wishing you on or playing loud music. 

After a long time in Brooklyn we headed up through Queens then across the Queensborough bridge emerging into Manhattan. The difference between the quiet and calm inside the enclosed bridge to the crowd outside in 1st Avenue was incredible. It was the closest I have ever felt to being a professional athlete being cheered on by a tremendous crowd.

Up 5th Avenue al the way to the Bronx for a brief visit before turning back through Harlem to the finish in Central Park. 5th Avenue was packed with people cheering and enjoying themselves. Unfortunately by the time I got to the park I was walling, the up and down going over the bridges had really taken it out of me.

I finished in 4:56:12 which was slower than I hoped for but I was happy about. It was going dark and getting cooler as I was leaving, getting out of the marathon area is a task in itself with so many runners packed around. I was glad of the robes they were giving out. I walked back to meet up with Kath a few blocks away and was glad that our hotel wasn't too far away.   

New York day 3

Today we visited the 9/11 memorial. Then MoMa before having a big pre race pasta meal in Hells Kitchen. Early morning tomorrow for the race.

New York day 2

Today we got up early so that I could collect my number from the running show before the race Jacob K Javitis Convention Centre - 11th Avenue at 35th Street.

We both bought ourselves a marathon toddy and I got a Garmin forerunner 220 to record the race on after my disappointment at my Apple Watch not lasting the whole race in Berlin.

Afterward we headed to a food tour. First we tried to get the subway but got hopelessly lost, so ended up getting a cab. Fortunately when we got there the food spots were amazing.

In the evening we headed out for a cruise and took some awesome night pictures of New York.

New York day 1

After a long Virgin Atlantic flight we arrived in New York. I had a big queue for immigration with my ESTA. Kath had already done her queuing at the US Embassy so her full visa was enough. It was quite bewildering seeing all the Americana a coach took us to our hotel in time square. It was small but we weren't planning on spending much time in there so it suited us.

Kath had booked us a table as Bar 54 Hyatt which gave us amazing views over the city and time square. 

The weather was still very warm it changed a little cooler over night,

Time Square Pano

Enjoying the sun in Wales

Six years since we were married in Poland. A lot has changed since then, Kath finished her training in Poland and moved to the UK. We  moved house to Wilmslow, I’ve move jobs twice and here we are in Wales to celebrate.

It was a bit of a last minute decision, to go back to one of the first place we ever visited as a couple.

Nutshell

Lineone internet

Way back when I was first using the internet you had to pay for an internet provider, as well as the cost of the dail up. Circa 1997 I signed up for a service called Lineone, and got my first email address. In return for my £9.99 a month I got a local rate phone line to dial and a paper manual. At the time email hadn't become the swamp of spam it is now, and mostly contain things I signed up for like a forum on my then car the Vauxhall nova!

I used my Lineone address for a while before moving onto the pre Microsoft Hotmail.com! I kept a few subscriptions on Lineone and used it as a backup. Lineone then got taken over by Tiscali, then Tiscali by Talk Talk. Its seems they have finally decided to dump freeloaders, today I received this.

Your TalkTalk mailbox has recently been upgraded to the new TalkTalk Mail. It’s now easier to use and full of handy new features.

Designed for an easier life

A sleek new design, more logical menus and a choice of layouts make TalkTalk Mail much easier to use on your desktop.

Designed for an easier life

Adapts perfectly to every device TalkTalk Mail automatically adapts to every screen size. So whether you’re using your smartphone, computer or tablet, all your messages and appointments always look and feel great. Adapts perfectly to every device
Great new message features
TalkTalk Mail drafts now auto-save so you’ll never lose a message you’re writing. And to attach a file or photo you simply drag-and-drop. Great new message features

TalkTalk Mail is still free for our broadband customers
Unfortunately, if you choose not to sign up for TalkTalk Mail Plus, from 20/09/2019 you’ll lose the vast majority of TalkTalk Mail features. For example, you’ll only be able to sign in at www.talktalk.co.uk/mail to check your emails.
A few months after 20/09/2019, we will start closing down mailboxes that aren’t registered to a TalkTalk Broadband account or signed up for TalkTalk Mail Plus.

I'll be slightly sad for my original email address die but, I don't use it and no point to pay when google give me the much superior gmail supported by ads.

Not the news

Kath and I have spent the last few days down in London. The main purpose of the trip was to visit the US embassy so that Kath could obtain a visa in order to travel to New York with me in November.

We travelled to London Sunday morning leaving behind torrential rain in Manchester. Arriving around midday into Euston then a quick hop to Victoria finally on to the Pestana London Bridge. We had stayed here previously and found it to be a rather fantastic hotel. Nice and quite and also well placed for the US embassy in Nine Elms. After checking in we went for a little walk to the Dutches Belle for Sunday lunch. I had to complete a 10km treadmill run so Kath had a little snooze.

Sunday evening we headed to the Criterion theatre in the West end to watch a “a play about a bank robbery”. Kath really enjoyed it and while I had a few laughs it was a little slapstick for my tastes. Running late before the theatre we ended up grabbing dinner at 5 Guys. The burger was great but top tip don’t order more than one fries because we did it was death by chips!

Monday we headed to Nine Elms for the Embassy. It s a super smart new building surrounded by a raft of new buildings and the grandly title embassy square. Kath had to go in alone is I waited in a local coffee shop. When she didn’t emerge after an hour I headed back to the hotel and went for a swim.

She finally found her way back around 12:30 and we jumped straight onto the tube out to Putney Bridge to meet Paul and Saskia. They arranged a picnic in the local park. It was rather lovely sat in the Sunshine with Prosecco and some nibbles. After the Prosecco ran out we moved the party to a local of theirs. I even managed to help fill out a form first real use of my professional membership in a while must get to those CPD courses soon.

You and me (but mostly me)

I’m currently sat on a train heading to London so that Kath can get a US visa so that we are able to travel to New York later this year. Managed to get cheap Virgin First Class tickets cheaply so enjoying a larger seat and a free coffee.

We had an excellent day out yesterday starting out with drinks in the lovely Winter Garden at the Refuge. We sat and enjoyed an old fashioned pre show.

The main event of the day was a trip to see the Book of Mormon at the Manchester Palace Theatre. It was the most funny show I’ve ever seen and I would highly recommend it!

Ivy gin and tonic

Post show Kath had made a dinner reservation at the Ivy in Spinningfields. Neither of us had been before and you have to book weeks if not months in advance. I wasn’t sure if the food would live up to the hype, fortunately it did. I had a tuna carpaccio starter. Followed by blackened cod served on a banana leaf. We started with a Ivy special gin and tonic at the bar, then had a bottle of Cava with the meal. The food was exquisite so many flavours, and the service was pretty special too. I mentioned to the waitress that it is Kath’s birthday next week and she brought out a little cake

Happy birthday Kath

Hardwired

Kath and I got tickets to go and see Metallica at the Ethihad stadium in Manchester. I had been trying to see them a few years ago at the arena

The playlist was awesome a mixture of their latest album hardwired to self destruct along with some of their greatest hits. Finishing with an encore of Nothing else matters and enter sandman.

They even played a version of the Stone Roses I want to be adored which was awesome as we had seen the Stone Roses at this stadium a few years ago.

It was typical Manchester weather with the rain coming down but the band played on Lars hammering the drum knocking water into the air from the cymbals.

Our seats were the cheapest so we were right at the back of the stadium it felt at moments as if we were watching people watching a gig, but with he visual effect and the huge screens not to mention the excellent sound set up we mostly rocked out to the music.

Penny Lane

Friday was the wedding of Dan and Kate. The ceremony took place at Our Lady of Compassion Church in Formby near to Kates family home. It was a picturesque setting. Ian gave Dan a lift in his newly refurbished RS Turbo. He looked very dapper with the groomsmen.

The reception was at the Titanic hotel in Liverpool, there was a bus taking us back for to the church from there. The Titanic used to be a warehouse and has been rather tastefully converted to a spa hotel. Next door is a massive building which used to be a tobacco warehouse, its int he process of being converted into accommodation. I imagine they will be very smart apartments when completed.

Inside the Titanic

Tobacco warehouse

The rooms in the titanic are huge. We took a standard room and it was huge, a large bed sofa and char. In fact the bathroom (which actually had a bath) was bigger than some hotels rooms I have stayed in!

The reception itself was held in a room off the hotel lobby and bar area. Dinner was lovely, was had salmon pate to start then chicken with a rather generous helping pudding, lovely!It was really nicely decked out with themed tables. Kath and I were sat with Nina, and some of Dan's family. Bruce unfortunately could not make it thanks to tonsillitis. We had a great evening catching up with various people. Paul and Saskia were there with Phoebe in toe. Joe came along as did Ian, Helen and Nick and Charlotte. Everyone seem to be on top form.

After some dancing, chatting eating and enjoyment, including a guy drawing caricatures. We enjoyed many drinks at the rum bar. They make a mean old fashioned. We had a nice sleep the bed was comfortable and the room was dark.

Saturday Kath and I had planned to go to parkrun but the cocktails put paid to that idea so instead after a relaxed breakfast (they had an omelette chef!) we headed to Liverpool to see some of the sites, then for a walk around Speke hall. Overall a lovely weekend catching up with friends and celebrating Dan and Kate.

This life

Post parkrun

Friday Kath had a training day in York, so we took the opportunity and booked an AirBnB for a weekend trip there. I met her in York catching the train after finishing work. I managed to get an advanced ticket in first class for only £18. I met Kath at the station and we headed to a Napalese resturant for some MoMos, yum! Our B&B was a converted garage, it had a comfortable bed and a good shower.

Saturday morning we woke up refreshed and made a short drive to York racecourse for York parkrun. The course made 1.75 laps of the racecourse and was very well attended.

After ward we headed into York to the Jorvik Viking centre. I hadn't been since I was a teenager and had forgotton how good and pungent it is. Afterwards we found the excellent Polish restaurant Barbakan for what turned out to be the best peirogi I have eaten in the UK. 

Moody sky from the Clifton tower

Practising swordplay at Clifton tower

After lunch we took a walk round the walls of the city, then popped up the Clifton tower then on to York minster. After which we had a sit on a boat taking a trip up and down the river Ouse. In the evening taking a walking Ghost tour of the city with a rather humorous actor.

Overall a lovely trip, we stopped in again at Barbakan for breakfast before heading off back home.

I Don't Know

Kath and I just made it home from a short trip to the Lake District. We managed to find an excellent airbnb a short stroll from the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere. It was a very picturesque setting from where we were able to have several adventures.

We arrived on Thursday, Kath having worked the night before, the cottage was lovely and only a short walk into Bowness village. We spent the afternoon wandering round and sampling a few of the local bars. Ended up eating at one of the Indian restaurants in the village, I didn't find the food very enjoyable. We made up for it with a couple of cocktails afterwards. Thank heavens for happy hour!

On Friday we set out on a short boat trip across the bay from Bowness to Ferry House. From there there is a lovely walk along the lakeside Wray Castle stopping off to take the view from Claife viewing station on the route.

Viewing station

View from Wray Castle

Enjoying a cocktail at the Arts bar

 Our local bar was called the Arts bar and grill, they did an excellent happy hour (actually happy 3 hours) 4-7 on weeknights with cheap cocktails, the staff were friendly and the atmosphere good.

For dinner we found excellent Italian restaurant Villa Positano. It felt like an actual Italian restaurant and they did a super cantuccini, belissimo!

On Saturday we made it to Fell Foot park to take part in the parkrun there. It is a spectacular park with views across the lake and was a really friendly parkrun.

After a shower and change we took a boat trip to Lakeside at the bottom of Windermere. At Lakeside we had a wonder around the small but expertly crafted aquarium. There is also a small steam railway there where you can take a trip to Haverthwaite Station and back.

For dinner we headed to Hyltons for a steak, the service was outstanding and our steaks were cooked to perfection, would highly recommend.

We will definitely be getting back, as there are so many things left to see and experience there!

Cantuccini at Villa Positano