Search found 21 matches

by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
4 Apr 2016, 7:54am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Highland Midges?
Replies: 10
Views: 5272

Re: Highland Midges?

BottomGear wrote:I'm making my way down from JOG early June and will be camping much of the way including a probable first night in the Strathnaver area. Will the famous midges I've heard about be a nuisance at this time of the year?


It is very difficult to tell, last summer was very quiet then we saw an invasion in the autumn. This website should help http://midgeforecast.co.uk

Take your repellent just in case.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
29 Apr 2015, 8:11am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Something Stinks in Newcastle
Replies: 21
Views: 3440

Re: Something Stinks in Newcastle

So the Safety Advisory Group admits that the roads aren't safe for cyclists. Suggest they get on a do something about it then.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
3 Jan 2015, 9:20am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Three! more cyclists killed
Replies: 15
Views: 2708

Re: Three! more cyclists killed

SteveHunter wrote:
661-Pete wrote:How is it that, in 2015, cars are still so easy to steal? Speaking for myself, and not being of the TWOCer's persuasion, I wouldn't have the first idea how to hotwire* a car and/or defeat the immobiliser...


They break into your house and steal your car keys, then drive off in your car.


This is an ongoing problem in my area and it is amazing how many people:-

1) Leave their car keys close to the front door so they can be hooked;

or

2) Doors or windows in the house insecure so the burglars don't even have to work to get in.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
12 Aug 2014, 8:51am
Forum: On the road
Topic: 'Cyclists Dismount', should we?
Replies: 90
Views: 9073

Re: 'Cyclists Dismount', should we?

In West Lothian there are a number of these ridiculous signs tell cyclists and Riders to dismount on road bridges that cross the Union Canal. Logically there should also be signs telling motorists to get out and push.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
9 Aug 2014, 1:26pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: What did you do after LeJog?
Replies: 22
Views: 12763

Re: What did you do after LeJog?

We went to the pub.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
24 Feb 2014, 8:25am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Avoiding ASL's Has Made Life Easier
Replies: 17
Views: 17184

Re: Avoiding ASL's Has Made Life Easier

imagine if when designing an airport the consultants, Civil Aviation Authority and British Airline Pilots Association had warned BAA that their design is dangerous, but they went ahead anyway and people died as a result. Can you even begin to imagine the outcry? There would enquiries, sackings, best practices would be reviewed, etc.
But somehow when it is pedestrians or cyclists ran over it is just the cost we have to pay to keep motorised traffic moving.
[/quote]

Difference is airport design is regulated and has to comply with CAP168 The Licensing of Aerodromes, if it doesn't, no license from the CAA and hence no operation and chance of people dying.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
16 Feb 2014, 5:59pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: where to stay at John O' Groats
Replies: 20
Views: 21358

Re: where to stay at John O' Groats

You have not lived until you have had a night out in Wick.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
20 Sep 2013, 9:31pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Death By Careless Driving Charges Brought
Replies: 37
Views: 4617

Re: Death By Careless Driving Charges Brought

[quote="thirdcrank"]OLBP

That's all fair enough, but I don't think l it detracts from my response. All manner of people are under the influence of drink when they shouldn't be. This includes people whose job requires impeccable judgment such as airline pilots. We all hope this is picked up when such people get to work, even if they avoid detection getting there. It's not a straightforward issue.

edit to add. I've just found this report of an airline pilot more than four times over the limit in the cockpit:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-24175643

-----------------------------------------------------------------

/quote]

Although in that case at four times over the aviation limit he may still well have been marginal if he had been pulled when driving to work.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
20 Sep 2013, 7:11pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Death By Careless Driving Charges Brought
Replies: 37
Views: 4617

Re: Death By Careless Driving Charges Brought

thirdcrank wrote:
Oglet Lane Banjo Player wrote: ... Leaving aside what happened in the car, I would like to know why she thought even going to work as a care assistant with that much alcohol in her system was acceptable.


To state the obvious, one effect of alcohol is that seriously effects the judgment.


thirdcrank I am well aware of the serious effects alcohol has on judgement and that is the reason why some people will drink and drive, merely because they think they can get away with it.However, I am also fully aware, even when under the influence that if I was to turn up at my place of work, two times over the drink drive limit I would be challenged, breathalysed, almost certainly sacked and also there being a high possibility that i would charged with a criminal offence. Therefore I was challenging the culture in the care home industry that makes someone think they can turn up for work under the influence and get away with it, particularly as we have recently seen a care worker jailed for sleeping on the job.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
20 Sep 2013, 8:36am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Death By Careless Driving Charges Brought
Replies: 37
Views: 4617

Re: Death By Careless Driving Charges Brought

thirdcrank wrote:The driver's conduct was inexcusable and the results devastating. By the standards of our system in the 21C, the defendant has got quite a severe sentence and I don't see much to be gained by finger wagging.

She's some seven years past normal retiring age and still working in quite a physical job and (if I've understood correctly) she's a nurse who's probably been working in more of a care assistant role. My wife, now retired, has quite a bit of experience of that sector and older women obliged to carry on working because of inequalities in the pension system are quite common. I'll guess that that's the background to her looking for solace in the booze. (Repeat first sentence of post here.)


Leaving aside what happened in the car, I would like to know why she thought even going to work as a care assistant with that much alcohol in her system was acceptable.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
14 Sep 2013, 12:58pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Route Across Glasgow?
Replies: 14
Views: 30539

Re: Route Across Glasgow?

Mick F wrote:Oh dear! :oops:
McDonalds in Balloch!

How sad.
We loved living there.


Fits in nicely with the tat shops at Loch Lomond Shores.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
13 Sep 2013, 10:33pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Erskine Bridge Temp Closure For Non Motorway Traffic
Replies: 8
Views: 24817

Re: Erskine Bridge Temp Closure For Non Motorway Traffic

Scotland TranServ who are resonsible for the maintenance confirm that one side of the cycle/footpath will remain open during the works.
by Oglet Lane Banjo Player
14 Jul 2013, 8:52am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Another Cyclist v HGV Incident 11/7/2013
Replies: 4
Views: 1963

Another Cyclist v HGV Incident 11/7/2013

Nasty incident just outside Edinburgh on Thursday morning with follow up article.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ ... -1-2999233

http://www.scotsman.com/news/health/off ... -1-3000650

This stretch of road is on my commute and having had a couple of near misses at this junction I have my suspicions as to what happened.