CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[CitroJim]

This has given me an idea.........

Prankster sends Glasgow runners on lengthy detour

"Runners at a 10k trail race in Glasgow were sent in the wrong direction by a prankster who impersonated a marshal and buried signs marking the course.
Acorn Trails said someone moved a route arrow and impersonated a race organiser to send about 30 competitors on a 2.5km (1.5 mile) detour on Sunday."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjryd39402jo

It's quite a common occurrence, sadly Several times I've carried pre-event check runs at events where I know the course well to ensure all the signs - usually set out the day before - are still all present and correct. Often they have been tampered with and it's been my task to put matters right.

Once, I even caught a sign-tamperer in the act. That was an 'interesting' encounter. Seems his gripe was with runners and the environmental damage they cause to the forest ecosystems. And that was using a trail through a forest on hard-packed wide gravel paths where even a steam roller would be hard-pressed to do any damage

I hit the pause button and go do whatever for five mins then when I get back I fast forward through the ads to the resumption of the programme I was watching. Usually still get the whole thing watched before the scheduled end time!!

I just couldn't be bothered with all that faffing

If it has adverts or may have adverts then I have no desire to watch/listen to it. End of. I only watch TV when I'm ill and thankfully that's a rare event as I have to be really quite ill.

Equally, I cannot stand adverts on commercial radio - if anything they're even worse than on commercial TV

[CitroJim]

And I see my blog is now on 700 pages

[mickthemaverick]

I just couldn't be bothered with all that faffing

I don't consider it to be faffing, just a logical procedure to avoid watching ads without missing out on the range of excellent content across the commercial channels. Some of the car programs are very interesting and the motoring adventures of various presenters are always entertaining. I also like some of the quiz shows and of course live sport is virtually entirely on commercial channels nowadays. I'll give up access to the internet long before I'd give up my sport!!

[myglaren]

On a whim I thought that I would put my TV on as it can be seen from the street and it would look like the house was occupied. Turned it on and trawled through all the channel data. Well over a hundred channels (mostly commercial of course) and not a single programme that I would want to watch, or even let the nosy neighbours think I would watch. Turned it off and just left the lights on.

[CitroJim]

A very lucky escape from an encounter with a large unseen pothole near Swindon on the A420 early this morning

The rim is unharmed except for this black rubbery mark, not even a chip out of the paint or any visible tyre damage. I'll be keeping an eye on it though...

So lucky I really ought to do the lottery

This outing was unplanned due to a late change of plan with my girls due to half-term activities.

It was well worth the trip as I got to take this car for a drive

It was great to drive a Xantia again. I'd almost forgotten just how lovely they are as it's been a good few years now. This particular example really does sail on rather beautifully and in great comfort

We did a bit of investigation into why the heater is not very toasty. I'll leave the owner to report on that in due course

Here he is about to get stuck in wearing a new and special hat!

It's been a good day

I have things planned for tomorrow which means I'll be doing my usual 3AM dash home!

[bobins]

"Mum.... mum.... Why's that man got a funnel on his head?"

"Just keep walking, dear, and don't make eye contact"

[CitroJim]

"Mum.... mum.... Why's that man got a funnel on his head?"

"Just keep walking, dear, and don't make eye contact"

[Stickyfinger]

That bleeding funnel !!

The things you can do with a roll of leccie tape and a plastic funnel.....who needs Amazon and their over price crap from China (apart for the funnel and the tap !)

[CitroJim]

Love how it's steaming

[MattBLancs]

Gosh is that two C3 Picassos battling with potholes (Husky too) - that is bad luck. They do look quite low profile, playing a game of guess the tyre size (without Google cheating) 205/45R16? (Same as 206 GTi size)

[CitroJim]

that is bad luck. They do look quite low profile

Yep, they're not really much more then elastic bands wrapped around the rims Matt! I know they're 45 profile but not sure of the size... Will look later...

C3 Picasso = Pothole Magnet

[MattBLancs]

Maybe next time it's due a set of tyres, consider a "downgrade" in terms of wheel size,
Here, the grey 308 has gone from 17" (215/45 R17) down to 16" (205/55 R16) and the blue 308 from 18" (225/40 R18) down two sizes to 16" (215/55 R16)

In the grey, I wondered if the 15" 208 wheels would have been viable.
The blue 308 on the other hand is pushing the limit! Wheel weight position is important so as not to clash with the brake caliper!

[CitroJim]

Maybe next time it's due a set of tyres, consider a "downgrade" in terms of wheel size,
Here, the grey 308 has gone from 17" down to 16" and the blue 308 from 18" down two sizes to 16"

Indeed, I had that discussion with Alasdair yesterday. Thing is, I do so few miles in that car it's hard to justify right now but when the tyres are due and a set of wheels are available at the right price it would be a good consideration.

I know where all the local potholes are and it's only a problem when I have one of my rare strays from my home range...

Speaking of home I had a great run back this morning Left Alasdair's at 0245 and was home at 0545 including a side-trip to my local Tesco for diesel. 10p a litre cheaper than our local Smell, Total, BP and Esso garages so it was a no brainer to go a mile or so out of my way. And diesel is diesel whoever supplies it. I thrive on Tesco food and Polly sems to thrive on her Tesco food...

[MattBLancs]

Yes, agree it's a bit extravagant unless aligned with needing tyres anyway. In the blue 308 I was lucky (!?!) enough that it needed tyres straight away (in fairness seller did knock £200 off as a result) so went straight to wheel shopping for that.

[MattBLancs]

I'm sure "branded" fuels have more additives, cleaning properties etc than "basic" supermarket fuels, but I don't think it's worth the cost difference! Our local Shell was at one stage pretty competitive, often equalling the supermarkets, but hasn't been like that for probably 10-15 years now, so it's most often Morrisons mine run on, occasionally Tesco and very occasionally Sainsbury's. Shell station is at least 5p a litre above these three for big standard ( "fuelsave" ?) diesel. The super fantastic Optimax or whatever it's called is a good chunk more again.
They all have to meet BS EN 590, that'll do for me!