nick: nice! tyres look familiar. Are they the hyper-expensive wheels?
 

 Tim: Yes, nice. And just the ticket for JOGLE.
 

 nick: Tim, don't get my hopes up too much, I don't want them dashed again! ;-)


Looks like Australia trip is going ahead - going Sat 24th, come back Sun 1st.
 

 Tim: That sounds knackering.
 

 Steve: I guess it doesn't look flash and is probably old-fashioned. Yes good wheels on there and 28mm tyres. Will try to do some longer distances and see how I get on. I feel I can spend less time avoiding road bumps and more looking around so maybe I'll get less bored.
 

 nick: I listen to podcasts when I'm out riding at the weekends. Just have one earphone in (left ear). Often I miss bits because it's just spoken word and not terrifically loud, but it doesn't feel unsafe the way that listening to music, or having both ears plugged in does (I did try that, and stopped pretty quickly). I guess if you did this Steve you'd have to find some podcasts that you didn't find annoying

Possible candidates are More or Less - some really good analysis and tongue in cheek poking fun at media mis-reporting of data in this one

Guardian Science Weekly

All in the Mind often has very interesting reports on psychological studies

A Good Read I nearly always end up adding a book to "I must read this" after listening to one of these (3 people each choose a book and then they all read all 3 and talk about them)
 

 Steve: Yes good idea. I'm a big fan of Great Lives and could probably hear some of them again.

I also did some Infinite Monkey Cage when redoing the front garden and path last year.
 

 nick: Some guy is attempting to beat the record for maximum miles cycled in a year (record currently stands at 75,065 miles).
 

 Tim: When I first read that I thought it was just crazy.

I still think it's just crazy.
 

 Steve: Yeah I knew about that already. That's all he can do for a year. The Mercian guy said they offered to make him some wheels but he never got back to them. But their logo is on his site apparently.

Tough time of year to start and end that project with so much darkness.
 

 Tim: There's a new Dave Bessell of Node fame album imminent: http://www.din.org.uk/din/node/495

Speaking of which, Nick, how is your Node listening going? Just the thing for a long flight.
 

 nick: aha! node! I'll have a listen this afternoon. I don't have the 2nd CD though.

I just got some new noise-cancelling headphones - the sennheisers I had which I lent to Steve are on the way out (not his fault). These are more effective than they were - they seem to block more than just hummy/droney noise. It's a bit weird because they stop the keyboard noises so I can't hear myself typing.


 

 Steve: Yes I saw that. I go through phases of thinking all that label's stuff is pretty similar then I listen to some and realise how good they are. Had Mazmoneth on the other day which was pretty epic. Seems that anything with Nigel Mullaney on takes things to a new level.

Have tried to buy a week's holiday for next year, need to see if it gets approved. Depends how may people sell theirs. Pretty keen to avoid days at work and will be more proactive with our group activities.

London roof-garden is a good starter as it's free :) You get 90 mins which should be plenty. I will have a couple of days to use up before April. Need to try the new bike with Nick in the far (ahead) distance.
 

 nick: re: group activities, yes I'd like to do more - it does require an especial effort though...

I am planning on doing JOGLE this year. Lesley's fine with this and has said she's happy to drive me to Scotland, but she has limited holiday (some of which is already allocated) so is unlikely to be following me all the way down the country.

I probably will be picking a date and starting to get plans in order for this soon. Last year I did it around the August Bank Holiday which seemed to work OK so may do that again, or may try and do it at the start of June to make use of late May bank holiday.

Also I wanted to try maybe doing some shorter multi-day rides like Trafalgar Way or coast-to-coast but no firm plans.

Roof Garden appeal is partly that it's free, and partly that they seem to have done it a bit grudgingly so I want to make sure they have to honour their promise and don't have an excuse to shut it down because no-one's taking them up on it.

Apart from next week I've got no firm holiday bookings, can generally take the odd day at pretty short notice.

I did put forward the idea here that the company increase the amount of holiday (currently 25 days) per year but it was decided against. I will bring it up again though

 

 Steve: If you want a *chance* of me joining you on JOGLE I would go for later. Probably holidaying 2 weeks with D in June to avoid school holiday faff. That would make a gap in any "training" regime as well.

The new bike is a hell of a lot better so who knows... but let's not get carried away just yet.
 

 Tim: All the way from Trafalgar? Bloody hell.

Anyway, just in general terms... if we were looking at say Friday/Saturdays, what weekends in the next couple of months are open for you Steve?
 

 Steve: Weekend 6th Feb looks good so far. Also...

20th Feb I need to be here on Sunday only.

13th March although Sunday is Mothering.

20th March clear.
 

 Tim: Maybe we could target 20th and 20th. (No chance of confusion there.) Nick?
 

 nick: I'm stewarding both 22nd's on the Sunday morning but other than that those weekends are free with me
 

 nick: btw I've had no luck on finding a taker for the Node tickets, Tim
 

 nick: I meant to say I've had no takers for the Node *ticket* not *tickets* (obviously I still want mine)
 

 Steve: Still checking with Paul, he initially thought it was the 27th of Jan! What a family. So there is still hope...

Will pencil in 20ths
 

 Tim: Are you away tomorrow then Nick? What's the flight like?
 

 Tim: Edgar Froese died this week.
 

 nick: Re: Edgar - oh no :-( he looks pretty ancient in the pic on the bbc website
Just waiting to board now
 

 Steve: Really sorry about that. I hadn't heard.

BTW Paul is on for the gig.
 

 Tim: Ace, should I post the ticket anywhere or just meet up on the day?

Nick, you must be nearly there by now ;-)
 

 Tim: So I ordered a TD album...
It's only Ambient Monkeys, it was all I could think of, not sure it really counts. Any other suggestions?
 

 Steve: I have booked Fridays 20th Feb and March off so something official to be going on with.

I would say keep the ticket for now and meet up. He is a pretty on-time sort of person.

Been listening to some Aphrodites Child with the demise of Demis. Tricky but interesting Prog.
 

 Steve: That is a cheat album as you say. Have you got the early albums on CD? I play them a fair bit and the bonus live stuff on Atem is pretty good. It can be cheaper to get stuff direct from the label Cherry Red and they do multi-discounts. I don't yet have the Zeit with extras although it's not quite as cheap. Sometimes FOPP have them in. At FOPP I recently bought the latest Levitation version (also on Cherry) and the live disks are very good.
 

 Tim: Good suggestions, I'll have a look.

Also, let's hope North Waltham wasn't devastated by the earthquake north of Winchester.
 

 Tim: Forgot to mention, I've booked 20th and 20th.
 

 Steve: Good work on booking.

Excellent BBC 4 Kraftwerk programme last night. If you don't want to see what we missed last year look away now...
 

 nick: They're proposing a new critical treatment hospital near North Waltham. Not everyone in the village is keen
 

 Tim: Looks good to me.

Anyway, I just ordered some recent DiNs including the new Dave Bessell and that Mazmoneth - cheers for the tip Steve.

 

 Tim: You guys missed a great gig on Friday, A Winged Victory for the Sullen at Kings Place. Apart from the excellent sound (string trio plus piano plus a bit of synth/effects/guitar-drone) and venue (lovely small hall), the arrangements were fab...
We got there for 7:30 like it said on the ticket, people were already starting to sit down. There was no support so the band were on by 7:45. No interval, they just did their thing until about 9:15 and then we were off! Plenty of time to catch the 10 o'clock train home, back before midnight. Ace.
 

 nick: oh! don't remember being asked about that one?
 

 Tim: "Tim, no to the Sullen thing thanks."
Originally I booked for a gig at the Barbican but that ended up clashing with holiday, so rebooked for this instead and assumed you weren't interested.
So anyway... I still have a refund to use up at the Barbican soon if anyone can spot anything.
 

 nick: oh yes. But you didn't say it would be a nice early finish!
 

 Tim: That's because I didn't know! As usual, no useful information to be found on the website. I even parked at Eastleigh in case I missed the 11:05 last train to Hedgey.
 

 Tim: Planning for next Friday isn't going too well, what are we like?

Anybody got any ideas? I might post tonight/over the weekend if I have any brainwaves.
 

 nick: I tried the sky garden thing and I can't get tickets for that day. Availability is better if you only want one ticket but still none on that day.

We've got a concert in the evening
I wouldn't mind doing the Imperial War Museum (I've never been there)

 

 Tim: No, the concert is March (but I had to check).

IWM OK by me.
 

 Tim: Supergroup Node promise 'largest gathering of analogue synths' for performance
 

 Steve: Yep War Museum fine. Don't make me do the concentration camp bit tho as I did it recently when partially open.

I almost thought the gig was this Fri as well!

There's always music shopping as well. No other ideas so far.
 

 Steve: BTW I see that there are now KS official bootlegs being issued - well the first is out.

And a 2014 version of Paradise with extra tracks. Bet it's not as good as the vinyl :)

I might have to cave in and get some of the Yes remasters. If I bung them in my wish list hopefully the cooling off period will do its magic.
 

 Tim: If I get a cheapo train on Friday I'll arrive Waterloo 12:08, any good?
 

 Tim: Also, could always have a peep in Tate Modern, haven't been for a while. Open until 10pm.
 

 Tim: AND i might be looking to pop in the Barbi to buy tickets for this Tim Hecker gig on a Sunday afternoon. Anyone?
 

 Steve: Yes I'm up for that one, Sunday good day. I assume you are vouchering?

BTW I tried the riding with one ear in with a podcast (Nick's idea). I found it very difficult to hear anything with the air/wind noise. And I can't get on with in-ear phones as they seem to be uncomfortable and/or fall out. Not given up though as when I could hear it was great.

Bike dirty again (grr).
 

 nick: Yes, Tim Heckler sounds fab

Steve, I use the in-ear bud things but I don't always get on with them, Sony ones come with three different size of rubber buds so there is a bit more chance of getting one that stays in.

initial attempt at JOGLE route

I have put in Falkirk and Newcastle and the rest is google automatic. TBH I'd be quite happy to do last year's route in reverse but those two places are ones I fancy seeing if possible.
 

 Tim: Vouchering, yes. And depending how everyone's fixed maybe we could make a weekend of it or something?
 

 Steve: Tim your train time is fine with me.

And yes we can probably do more that weekend. The previous is IOW Randonee and bank holiday BTW. Suppose I should do it this year :)

Still waiting for the LP cleaner, is it just me or is every customer experience terrible? Ordered on the 11th of Jan. I have had email exchanges and the last one a week ago was that it was just going in the flipping post.

And are we getting to the point with the Euro where it's worth getting stuff shipped from abroad? I have my eye on a phono stage and would save about 20%.
 

 Steve: You're welcome to come back to Luton Friday. Paul is back tea time I think.
 

 nick: > You're welcome to come back to Luton Friday. Paul is back tea time I think.

Thanks - I was going to ask what was happening.

I think I will take you up on that, be good to see Paul and Deborah (and Matt?)
 

 Tim: Sounds good, but I can't make it this time. Hopefully I'll get there next time there's an opportunity - need to plan ahead a bit more.
 

 Steve: OK fine got that. Not sure about Matt. He's prob in Loughborough.

He just got a job for next Sept grad intake near Bristol and it's one he really wants. More verbally as I am using my phone.
 

 Tim: Just looking in the calendar, are we going to slot anything in in April?

e.g. around the weekend 11 April?
 

 Tim: Nick, plans for Friday so far are to meet Neil at Waterloo about 7:15 and get a burger. How does that fit in with you (and any idea about Paul?)
 

 Tim: Also I see in the news that there's a partial eclipse on our next day off, approx. 8:30 to 10:30 am.
 

 nick: 7:15 waterloo on Friday sounds fine, thanks. Are we all bringing bikes and parking them at IBM?

Sounds like quite a good eclipse according to this web page - More than 80% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. A total solar eclipse will be visible from The Faroe Islands and Svalbard.

The next time a decent partial eclipse will be visible from the UK of this magnitude will be 12 Aug 2026. After that the next total solar eclipse for the UK will be 23 Sept 2090. The previous one was the very cloudy day of 11 Aug 1999.
 

 Tim: I've got a feeling Steve's not around on Friday.

The eclipses in 2026 and 2027 are total in parts of Spain/North Africa. Pencil them in.
 

 nick: Kev's visting Hampton today, having driven from his home in Wales, for a customer meeting. Customer hasn't turned up. A bit of checking shows that the customer visit is Wed 25-MARCH, not Wed 25-Feb.
 

 Steve: Yes I was assuming the IBM bike parking was a joke. I have emailed Paul to get in touch.

And mixing Feb and March? Seems a bit unlikely. Are you going to sack him?

I have seem the "offer" at work, do I have the bottle to go for it? And then not get it...

I assume Geoff is in the same boat?
 

 nick: > And mixing Feb and March? Seems a bit unlikely. Are you going to sack him?

well, it was the CEO who made the mistake and told Kev to come in...

> I have seem the "offer" at work, do I have the bottle to go for it? And then not get it...
>
> I assume Geoff is in the same boat?

Any chance of reducing hours e.g. 4 days/week?

I am seeing Geoff next week (it's a curry in celebration of his birthday) so I'll ask him: he's not said anything recently though.
 

 Tim: SWTrains are doing some cheap offpeak tickets for the next month or so.
 

 nick: re: cheap tickets - so I can get a day return for £15 anywhere on the SW network. Maybe worth using for tomorrow evening if I travel from BSK?

But then - day return from BSK->WAT with railcard applied is £14.85. So wouldn't be a great saving...
 

 Tim: Perhaps you could do a longer journey to make it worthwhile.
 

 Steve: Saw Gordon Giltrap in a church in the Peaks Saturday night. Saw a leaflet while out wandering. Was excellent and I knew 2 tracks, one from the LP I bought when last up in that area. What are the chances...

Was an ideal way to spend the evening, the in-laws liked it and the church gets something out of it. I reckon about 100 people were there, maybe a bit more.

Have asked for the "package" here so will be scored by my manager (he just told me). Not sure I have the bottle though. Salaries around my way are tragic to say the least and I'm still not sure what I want to do. Maybe stay here and take it a bit easier hours-wise.
 

 nick:  Saw Gordon Giltrap in a church in the Peaks Saturday night. Saw a leaflet while out wandering. Was excellent and I knew 2 tracks, one from the LP I bought when last up in that area. What are the chances...

Was an ideal way to spend the evening, the in-laws liked it and the church gets something out of it. I reckon about 100 people were there, maybe a bit more.

What was the play like? I think it was "Table Manners"? Pretty middle class but I guess that's your sort of thing now...

Have asked for the "package" here so will be scored by my manager (he just told me). Not sure I have the bottle though. Salaries around my way are tragic to say the least and I'm still not sure what I want to do. Maybe stay here and take it a bit easier hours-wise.

You mean you asked for a quote, or you asked to take it? If you finished in April that gives some time to do cycling prep which would mean you'd be unfairly fit for JOGLE.

Winding down and doing fewer hours/week sounds like a promising strategy, although if you do this, I suppose that this might influence any subsequent redundancy you get (i.e. you'd only get a payoff that would relate to your reduced salary) so that might be a consideration
 

 Tim: What does your manager score you on? Is it dispensability?
 

 Steve: Expressed interest. Sorry if this was unclear. This then triggers things like scorecard for, as you say Tim, indispensability. You have to do this bit to go on to the next bit. But you don't have to go with the offer. To be honest I have a pretty good idea what the offer would be.

My problem is that nothing really interests me work-wise :) Maybe it's a mid-life crisis.

Yes was Table Manners, took me a long time to ease into it (their theatrical way of speaking seemed false) but was good.
 

 nick: Don't forget that anything above £30K is taxable, most likely at 40%. So from that £100K payout you only end up with £72K

Maybe you can avoid that by putting it into your pension, except yours is probably full already ;-)
 

 nick: fwiw, Milton Jones is at the Anvil in Basingstoke on Sat 21st March (which might be a time when we're in Basingstoke).

I have seen him before and he's pretty funny if you like that sort of thing

Shortly before my grandfather died, my grandmother covered his back with lard. After that he went downhill very quickly.

My Auntie Marge was ill for so long, we started calling her I Can't Believe She's Not Better.

My wife... its difficult to say what she does... she sells seashells on the seashore.

 

 Tim: I'm very much up for that if it fits in, Lord Fink.
 

 Steve: I will check my availability that Sat.

If we are in London, this got a good review recently: Forensics: The anatomy of crime. Something nice and different and maybe I can get timed tickets beforehand.
 

 nick: yes, definitely up for that forensics thing

 

 Tim: Fine by me.
 

 Steve: Quick update before I start work (seems to work today).

Tried to go to a Steven Wilson album signing last night at Sister Ray. I completely underestimated his fame as the queue was about 200 people deep so I gave up.
Sad to see that the old Sister Ray has been replaced by a tiny one opposite but I didn't go in as it was bisected by the huge queue.
I have one of his solo albums and is excellent and this new one is getting rave reviews. Nick, I was going to get a signed CD for either you or your brother but nevermind. I was going to try the LP as it comes with lossless download. Can buy from his site these and the Yes remasters he is doing cheaper than Amazon (who seem to be a bit hopeless for CDs now?).

Saw Colosseum last week and that was pretty amazing. I knew nothing really about them and was great to see Dave Greenslade, Clem Clemson, Jon Hiseman and Barbara Thomson. Some of it was too blues-based for me and a fair bit of singing but the instrumental bits were pretty incredible. CC is a brilliant guitarist who really let rip in the extended sections.

Tomorrow's job is to get the wood for the LP cleaner as the bits are here (minus brush which is annoying me). The seller is clueless about it.

Boys back again to see Luton with my Dad tomorrow with Matt's girlfriend. I'm passing on this.
 

 nick: I saw Geoff last night and asked him about the workforce reduction - he says in his group of 700 (some kind of middleware MQ stuff) they're being asked to lose 70 out of 700. Says they've been told 110 applied: depending on whether 70 of those 110 are chosen, he assumes there may be non-voluntary reductions.

Thanks for the thought about the Steve Wilson CDs Steve, that would have been a really nice surprise. I won't tell my brother - I am seeing them both next week to see a film in London

Dave Greenslade, Clem Clemson, Jon Hiseman and Barbara Thomson.
tbh I'm surprised that they're all still with us. I'll look out in case they might play somewhere near me.
 

 Steve: He's in the same group of 700 as me. I just saw that email saying the figure.

I have to say Barbara Thomson did not look very well at all. This was the farewell tour for Colosseum so that's it I guess. Can't wait for the Colosseum II tour if there is one.
 

 Steve: Nick shall we try again?

Claudia gig 12th March

Recent song sounds okay on Youtube and if she does ANY old stuff we are sorted.
 

 nick: Steve - yes I'd be up for that - I see that the following gig has been cancelled though so I wonder how definite this one is?
 

 Steve: I'll try to book it. Scary as I looked to check my calendar and you already had it in yours!
 

 Steve: Booked.
 

 Tim: Damn, missed it ;-)

Here's another odd gig.
 

 nick: re: mike oldfield tribute... well it's far enough away that I can't immediately think of a reason why not...
 

 Steve: But it is far enough away as in miles away from any of us!
 

 Steve: I can do the 21st BTW.
 

 nick: > I can do the 21st BTW.

OK I'll book. I'll be trying for 3 tickets unless I hear differently in the next hour or so

 

 Tim: OK, so what plans have we got so far? Friday I'm guessing is meet up about midday and do crime exhibition and music thing, then what? If you two chaps are planning a big ride on the Saturday (seems like an opportunity) then I'll head home for the night and catch up with you again Saturday pm. Or maybe you're not?
 

 nick: OK, so what plans have we got so far? Friday I'm guessing is meet up about midday and do crime exhibition and music thing, then what? If you two chaps are planning a big ride on the Saturday (seems like an opportunity) then I'll head home for the night and catch up with you again Saturday pm. Or maybe you're not?

We've not got anything planned for Saturday so far as I know. I don't know if it's convenient for Steve to bring his bike(?) but if not, and Steve wants to, he could borrow one of mine. Could ride MD->HE maybe.

What do you fancy doing, Tim?

 

 Tim: Not cycling is the main thing! In order to stay alive for the evening.

I'll try and come up with some more positive suggestions.
 

 Tim: Hmm, looks like I didn't think of anything. We could go for a nice walk!
 

 nick: Walking would be fine with me. Was there any particular route you had in mind?


 

 Tim: Nope, should be able to rustle something up though, e.g. Micheldever Station to Winchester and train it back?
 

 Steve: Hmm I can get in from work today, odd...

I guess we should ride somehow on the Saturday so I will think about bringing a bike. Walk sounds good as well.
 

 Tim: Saturday morning for the ride then?
I'll come back here Friday night, then rejoin you e.g. 1pm Saturday at Micheldever. Walk, then comedy, and I'll jump on the train again after that, and skip the curry I think.

Is that a sort of a plan?
 

 Steve: Sounds good to me. I will try to get timed tickets for the exhibition in the morning.
 

 Tim: In that case, here are some ETAs:
Friday Waterloo @ 12:08
Saturday Micheldever @ 13:05 (I'll have a look at the map tonight).

Any good?
 

 nick: In that case, here are some ETAs:
Friday Waterloo @ 12:08
Saturday Micheldever @ 13:05 (I'll have a look at the map tonight).
On the face of it that sounds OK. Lesley is visiting a customer in London on Friday so I might come up on the train with her (her meeting isn't until late morning).

If Steve is up for it, I can organise a ride on Saturday morning - we'll need to get back to mine for about 12 I guess in time to change then drive to MD
 

 Steve: Yes should ride Sat morning, just wondering about bringing bike faff...
 

 Tim: A short Node rockumentary from the RCM.
 

 Tim: 13.25 mile walk.
 

 Tim: Risk Legacy rules pdf in case anyone is interested.

And I still can't believe you lot haven't got Pinnacles.

Milton Jones was excellent, if a bit hard work!
 

 Steve: Yes was an excellent weekend, I got home at about 01:15, a train had been cancelled at my end.

Great walk and nice to know it was actually over 12 miles. Went for a couple of miles today up The Downs and legs were fine. In the NT shop we picked up this for a fiver to add to our huge holiday portfolio: The Most Amazing Places of Folklore and Legend in Britain: Where to Discover Our Living Heritage and Traditions

I will look into getting that Froese set ASAP.
And SSD ordered for the TV.
 

 nick: Yes great weekend and felt like a long break even though only one day of holiday was used up
who's going to get this then?
 

 Tim: Well volunteered.
 

 Tim: To add to that: when Steve was talking about it I was thinking it would basically be like Yessongs. The catch is without Bruford.
 

 Tim: I keep whistling chunks of the Perpetual Change instrumental bit.
 

 Steve: Oh dear it had to happen, they DID record all of the gigs and we are into a KC-style avalanche of them.

Shame no Bruford as the manic Perpetual Change from Yessongs is the best live thing of theirs I ever heard.
 

 Steve: I thought of another rock type - asteroids :)
 

 Tim: BTW: what sort of a title is Progeny?
 

 nick: re: Progeny - perhaps they just asked Roger Dean what logos he had already prepared, and picked this one rather than think up a new name.

BTW since today I'm getting two identical mail messages every time a new update appears on the blog (normally I just get one). Has something changed with the blog config?
 

 nick: hmm.. actually the double mail thing looks like it's google sending me stuff twice - once to my normal email account, and once to "Holidays in United Kingdom ". I think my google calendar settings are involved...
 

 Tim: BTW: what sort of a title is Progeny?
 

 nick: ok so I got another two copies then, even after I de-subscribed to "Holidays in United Kingdom". dratted thing.
 

 Steve: 128GB SSD arrived and fails the TV speed test so cannot be used for recording. This is clearly ridiculous as it must be lightening fast. And yes I tried all USB ports.

So I wondered if it writes something on the drive to mark its suitability. And on a forum I found a program to do this but have not had time to test it.

Hopefully turntable bits are being picked up by D today but I am out tonight so it will have to wait a bit.

Cleaner box assembled but needs serious sanding and painting yet.
 

 Tim: Steven Wilson is playing two different concerts at the Albert Hall in September, tickets on sale Friday.
 

 nick: 128GB SSD arrived and fails the TV speed test so cannot be used for recording. This is clearly ridiculous as it must be lightening fast. And yes I tried all USB ports.

I lol'd at that. I wonder what they're testing? I assume you have tried it on a PC and made sure it works OK there. Was it a USB disk drive you previously had on there?

Nice little project to investigate though.

My macbook has a problem where it can't see its internal drive. I had this happen before, and it was because the internal SATA cable had gone (a not uncommon fault apparently: videos on youtube about how to replace it).

This time, a new SATA cable hasn't fixed it so I'm booting off the drive via a USB/SATA connector. Seems to work but it doesn't feel very portable...
 

 nick: Someone here suggested that perhaps the TV is doing something like asking the drive "what's your rotation speed?" and failing if the answer doesn't come back as 7200 or more.
 

 nick: I just finished listening to "Bomber" (after a five year gap since I last read it). I thought the last sentence was really good so was going to quote it in my review, but since I don't have the actual hard-copy, I did a google search for the phrase "be careful" (which is in the last sentence) with "bomber" and "len deighton".

In the first page of results there is a link to my book review of five years ago, where I quoted that sentence.
 

 Steve: The rotation speed is a very good point. Would explain why USB sticks don't work either.

The Stephen Wilson thing is interesting, shame it is such a big venue, and two different sets means huge expense. Mulling it over as the solo album I have of his is excellent - much better than Porcupine Tree.

And has anyone ever seen Phil and him in the same room? I think not.
 

 Tim: Count me out for that, by the way. Quite likely to be on hols.
 

 nick: I'd be up for Steve Wilson if you want someone to go with. Nothing else in my diary for those dates
 

 Steve: Hmm my cooling off period has worked a treat. Maybe you can go with your brother. The size of the venue is putting me off.

I have edited the capability file on the SSD using Linux so will try it tonight. Also have all of the turntable bits so D might be on TV subtitles tonight.
 

 nick: There's a "capability file"? I didn't know about that.

Had a puncture on my way in this morning - a tiny bit of flint in the (non Marathon plus) back tyre. Need to get a new pair of Marathons I think
 

 Steve: That really proves what a great job the Marathons do. I use Gatorskins and they are already way better than standard tyres.

Well it's a file that the TV wrote when it decided not fast enough. Change ASCII 0 to 1.
 

 Steve: TV disk appears to work. Well done the Internet (capital 'I').

Turntable in place and sounds pretty nice. As they say better stuff does seem to reduce the effect of surface noise. You would think it would reproduce it all the better.

Propaganda LP is definitely differently mixed in places so will try to get a copy done somehow.

Looking forward to trying those Brand X LPs...

And 2 4-day weeks coming up. Please warn up a bit.
 

 nick: TV disk appears to work. Well done the Internet (capital 'I').
Great! so... maybe it could have been made to work with the USB stick as well...?


Turntable in place and sounds pretty nice. As they say better stuff does seem to reduce the effect of surface noise. You would think it would reproduce it all the better.
You need to do a double-blind test!


Any news from IBM?
 

 Steve: Oh yeah I didn't get offered it. Mail arrived at 18:04 on the last day. Other thing still ongoing apparently.

Now Deborah is being offered it. They are blaming it on the uni being wrongly accused of letting students overstay. She hasn't said she will put in.

And yes I guess USB stick would work.

BTW Hyperborea is a stonking album if you need a choice to put on. Finally ripped the TD box (remastered versions). First time I have Exit would you believe?
 

 nick: MS-DOS for phones!
 

 Steve: Yes and the Guardian one with Clarkson joining their green campaign, video using a pretty good body double.
 

 Tim: Now playing: Hyperborea. Good call.
 

 Steve: Five 15min R4 programmes on programming languages started yesterday (one a day): Codes that Changed the World
 

 nick: Good link thanks Steve, people here are a bit put out that "C" isn't one of the languages (which does seem a bit odd considering how long it's been around, and that pretty much all java VMs are written in it)

Out cycling in the sunshine yesterday - first day in shorts this year! There were loads of other people out on bikes.
 

 Steve: Yes that was the reaction I got here as well.

Looking at lining up a weekend ride with Paul - train into London, might be easier than a Luton-Basing thing where someone is twice at the wrong end.
 

 nick: Looking at lining up a weekend ride with Paul - train into London, might be easier than a Luton-Basing thing where someone is twice at the wrong end.

I could always drive from work with my car in the back to your house one Friday evening, then drive home from yours on the Sunday - just a thought..

Tony (Amanda's husband) is keen on doing the Trafalgar Way (Falmouth->London). This would be three days of ~90 miles I guess. I went out with him on Easter Sunday and would guess he probably needs to build up his strength a bit though. I am going to try and do him a training plan. Not sure when this would be - the anniversary of the actual horse ride is November 4-6, but that sounds a bit cold to me. They have some "official" rides that you can pay to go on in October but I don't see much point in that.

We ought to try and do a Reading->London one again like we did before


 

 Steve: Yes Reading ride was great and I have the map.

Will do a new post today with picture of the cleaner. This thread is way too long.

Rode home last night, map says 36 miles and a detour in London due to Holborn fire and then a couple of miles at Luton (!) as the M1 roadworks faff continues. I'm claiming 40 for it.