Hayden

Oh that's brilliant, I think if my hearing aids were rechargeable they'd would be just about perfect. The box I have is this one: Oticon ConnectClip Bluetooth link and wireless microphone for Opn, Engage, More, Xceed & Siya | Connevans I did get mine from Amazon for slightly cheaper than this, but they don't seem to have it anymore. Cheers H

I am fairly new to hearing aids, only had them 6 months, and I have moderate to severe hearing loss. (Long story, but my hearing loss is an odd one, as my ear drums are fine, it's just my ear canals have closed up). Although my first hearing aids, I have the Oticon Engage from the NHS, they are the ear plug ones, rather than the little wire that goes into the ear. They have changed my life, I've also bought a remote bluetooth box you can buy for them, this allows me to connect to any bluetooth device like a computer/TV. They already seamlessly connect to my iPhone which is great for answering calls etc. I have three settings on them, 'normal', 'speech in noise', and 'remote mic' (Which I can either use my phone or the little box as a remote mic). They work well, but would agree it can be hard to hear in a noisy setting. Sometimes I struggle to hear the TV, but switch to the 'speech in noise' setting and I can then hear the people speaking. The only gripe I'd have is the weekly change of batteries, I wish they'd do a rechargeable version. Do you have different listening settings? I'd advise to go back and see whether you can get them updated, they might need a re-tune or something. For me Hampshire Hospitals have been brilliant with advice and said that they could set up more listening modes if I ever needed it. All the best Hayden

I've always thought this way too, had an interesting debate with two friends about this, both said I was wrong for doing this, and by doing this I was part of the 'problem'. Logic dictates to me that by not picking the best person for the job, doesn't get you the best person for the job.

My daughter is off at the moment too, due to go back on Friday after her isolation period, due to another child in her class testing positive for COVID. Interestingly though, this child is asymptomatic and was only tested as a precaution due to her brother being tested, and he only a slight temperature. Could easily have been missed. The guidance from the school is that the rest of the family could actually continue normal life, assuming our daughter shows no symptoms, but we are fortunate that as I am working from home and my wife is a SAHM, we have chosen to isolate as a family, so we have two younger boys, one in nursery and the other at home anyway, they are of course staying home too. Lets just say - We are ready for the kids to go back on friday.. Hayden

Funny you should say this, there is a couple that walk past my back garden every day with a fairly young cocker. At the beginning of the year, it was always off the lead, then they spent about an hour calling the dog as it had disappeared into a little bit woodland. Literally the next day, they were walking it on an extendable lead, and have done ever since. When the lady has hold of the dog, it's like she's going to get pulled over every time it's a full speed and reaches the end of the extender! It's very funny to watch!

I too have fallen out with a few local dog owners too. What is it with the standard call of 'He's OK'? One time will always stick in my mind. A few years ago, I had a mini dachshund that really didn't like other dogs, a labrador cross came bounding over with the owner shouting, 'He's OK, he just wants to play', I replied with - 'It's not him I'm worried about, it's this one'! Give the lady her due, she sprinted over to me quick sharp! There is another local that flatly refuses to put their dogs on a lead, even though it's gone for other dogs previously, I really don't get it. Like I'm putting them out when I ask them to put their dog on a lead. It's their arrogance I really don't get. Hayden

Always liked the look of the Audi and Merc, but we went for the XC90 (2009 model), we have 3 kids all in car seats, it fits them perfectly, not even needing the third row of seats, giving a massive boot. My wife is addicted to buying different buggies, and quite often will have 2 single buggies and a double buggy in the boot, still with extra room to put anything else in you like. I was skeptical about it before, always felt it was a nail in the coffin getting a Volvo, but we love it. Hayden

Love it, I'd not spotted the vegan reference before, just jumping on that wagon!! On a side note, the wife and I had a pot noodle yesterday (guilty pleasure, bombay badboy) and my daughter had the spicy rib flavour one, which I spotted had a vegan logo on it too, which I thought was really odd that a vegan would want to eat meat flavour anything. Hayden

Amazingly, it seems they all got their dogs back again! From the facebook post, they were stolen from a locked kennel. Almost like they were targeted. Sickening really.

I've been thinking of getting a reversing camera so I can see my trailer when reversing. I have an XC90 and a small trailer that I find impossible to reverse (Being a novice trailer reverser), as I can't actually see what the trailer is doing. Anyone else do this? Wonder whether I'd need one that looks down from the roof rather than a number plate version, although the number plate is fairly high in comparison to the height of the trailer.

I'm enjoying it too. The three of them seem to have really gelled, which makes it really watchable.

This is the law apparently (New to me!): Wearing of collars by dogs 2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, every dog while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it. (2) Paragraph (1) above shall not apply to— (a)any pack of hounds, (b)any dog while being used for sporting purposes, (c)any dog while being used for the capture or destruction of vermin, (d)any dog while being used for the driving or tending of cattle or sheep, (e)any dog while being used on official duties by a member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise or the police force for any area, (f)any dog while being used in emergency rescue work, or (g)any dog registered with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Must admit we've only ever had a phone number on ours, and that's it, so breaking the law. Saying that, the spaniel hardly ever wears a collar, and even that doesn't have a tag, so again, could get into trouble. I wouldn't think that training a dog would be classed as sporting purposes. Hayden

That documentary was one of the best I've seen. Amazing how it started out, with wanting to see whether he could cheat at an amateur event, and uncovering what he did. I think with all sports it must go on in one way or another, and when they are taking supplements anyway, I guess it's easy to stray into the illegal side. This guy is quite interesting in what he does to 'legally dope': I think he says in another of his video's that he's got his FTP to 5 watts/kg, which is very impressive, and just goes to show what can be done. I still have to question why they cheat, but I guess when there are vast sums of money/livelihoods at stake, that might be a good enough reason for some. Hayden

I have a late 2009 model too, it replaced a Disco 3 that stopped working. Like above, I struggle to find anything bad to say about it and it hasn't put a foot wrong in the (Nearly a) year I've had it. I am thoroughly impressed with it, completely converted. Haven't had the need to take it off road, so wouldn't know it's capabilities, but have taken it in snow, and again, it was brilliant. Cheers Hayden

A very lucky dog, glad it's OK. This happened to a friend of ours dog, they were on a day trip to the Isle of Wight, their dog was off the lead, very obedient, but ran too close to the edge, slipped and fell. Sadly the dog died. I have always been super cautious with our dogs near cliff edges. H

Done!

A fantastic idea. I'm volunteering Fieldsports Britain to set this up!! (Although I know they already offer membership and shares). Cheers Hayden

Really good to see Charlie stand up for us all. The problem with the 'facts' the three come out with is that everyone takes them as gospel. Avery saying that he was a scientist and Charlie isn't so he has no opinion, was just awful. So, they get Driven Grouse Shooting banned, and hen harrier numbers don't improve, ground nesting bird numbers decrease, what happens next? Hayden

Good work, Dan! Hope you enjoy it. Fingers crossed for you for the eBay purchase! Hayden

No problem. Good luck and let us know what you decide! I have had a go on the direct drive trainers, and they are really good, but as you say, just really expensive! It's impressive how Zwift adjusts the resistance when going up/down hill, and I think to get the most out of it, that's what you need. Am lead to believe that they give accurate power data too, which of course, helps with training, compared to the good old HR monitor (As I have). Hayden

I don't use Zwift, but use a turbo regularly (A couple of times a week), I use the British Cycling set training sessions: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/training-plans/supporting-documents/article/izn20140529-Indoor-Training-Sessions-0 Have set my turbo up in my shed and run through the workout. I have several friends and family who use Zwift, but without the full smart trainer package, subscription, TV etc, I don't think you get the full experience, and I couldn't justify the expense of the full set up, and get on well with the set training sessions anyway. The trainer I have is just standard one from decathon. Hope this helps. Cheers Hayden

Completely agree. But as said, I did complete the survey, but I did question whether I should actually complete it, maybe we are all too honest for our own good. Hayden

1. Yes 2. Yes Total 3

Not sure that statistic of 10% is all that bad. I imagine there are a lot of members who do not 'control pests'. I umm'd and ahhh'd whether to complete the survey or not, as I very rarely control pests so should it apply to me or not. In the end I did complete the survey, but as I say, it's not something I routinely do. Hayden

I mostly have my Swiss Army knife on me when I'm not at work, was given to me for my 14th birthday, I think. It's especially handy when my daughter has fallen over (She's 4) and say to her that whatever hurts, I'm happy to chop off. She soon stops crying! Hayden