Author Archives: essiep

ASTERI 3, many photons.

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Look at all those photons.

11°C,dull.
How should I review a bike lamp? The first rule has to be – no clichés.
It’s small, like a fat cigar, but as bright as 25-30 watts of halogen lamps. Compared to my current light set, it has further reach but is much whiter, almost blue. That makes comparison tricky. The only real test must be on an unlit road at speed.

I shall use it together with the old lights until I am confident of its burn-time. The online reviews criticise it for the lack of side spread illumination. If it works well, then the old, heavy lights will get packed away. Then I will pick up a new secondary light.
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ISON- a glimpse from England.

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Comet ISON seen by the University of London Ob...

Comet ISON seen by the University of London Observatory (Photo credit: UCL )

2°C,still, clear.
Barely visible– even in 8×40 binoculars. Scan just up and right of Spica in Virgo, immediately before sunrise; in my case- 05.50.
It was only a fleeting glimpse, with eyes slightly averted. Just a smudge.

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Weekend’s ambitions.

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9°C, clear and still.
Extended 18 miles after work, the lights held with no fade. There is some encouragement to add more. Next week, add another 5 miles. I may get brighter secondary lights this weekend anyway.
It’s Tuesday, and all I can think of is how to use the coming weekend. Repair the lock-up door, paint it; get that bike light. Nothing fantastic.
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Snowdon Bomber.

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14°C, heavy rain, earlier.
Drive home often includes thinking of supper. Tonight, I thought about cheese. Actually, one cheese in particular, Snowdon Bomber. It comes in a black wax cylinder to protect its freshness. It works, there is a gorgeous milky texture but a strong cheddar taste. I eat this stuff and gasp at its loveliness.

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That wonderful cheese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Be more happier!

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9C, light wind,rain till hometime.
CA-16 miles.
Dark lanes route. Started with an amusing incident. Crossing a junction, the car opposite pulled forward at the same time. But, he turned right, in front of me. I called out “Indicate!” then as he drove away, shouted “YOU SHOULD BE MORE HAPPIER!”.
I was more happier until I met a dangerous driver.
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This ride was in question all afternoon, the heavy rain seemed non-stop. It cleared in time, so I took the 16 mile lane route. Even with wet, black roads, the visibility was good enough.
It seems that these lights are holding their charge better as the week wore on. Could it be that the training period that new batteries need should be done with batteries that have been left in storage all summer?

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Dark.

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6~14ºC, clear, no wind. CA:22 miles.
Do you tell-off drivers who take pointless risks. I do. Today, two were texting as they drove. And another had a spiral notebook on the steering wheel which she wrote in as she drove along. I shouted at that one. PUT it down! … then…Thankyou!
Ever the teacher…
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Teaching kids: a bunch of year 9 kids about storage media in today’s Computing class. We talked of durability and ways they can get damaged. One way that they didn’t anticipate was DVDs can be spoiled by bright sunlight, especially the recordable ones. So, I told them it would be fine if you put them where the sun doesn’t shine. I didn’t mean to!

Some got it and felt the need to explain to the rest.

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Dark, single-track lanes.

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11ºC,cold, dry and clear.
First ride though those narrow lanes I have explored recently. It felt like a test, to find out whether view are safe in the dark. Tonight, they were. As long as there is no ice or slippery mud, then it should work well enough.
It’s great to see so little traffic.
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Jodrell bank

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12ºC, heavy rain.
Day out at Jodrell Bank as a birthday outing for the 10 year old.
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The dish was parked upright, probably because of the heavy rain that beat down all day.
The youngsters loved it, though view were the kind of kids who would be receptive to this kind of thing. In my view, the shop could be better stocked with books suitable for adults. They put on talks all day, mainly for kids but we adults got to ask questions too.
I bet the Cheshire cyclists use their cafe all the time. What a fine cafe it is too. I had the best goat’s cheese wrap I can remember.
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A most satisfying day.

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12ºC, 3/5 cloud, mod W.
CA:36 miles.
Jobs done– marking while Dave measured the staircase; replacement part for the clock-radio arrived; paint some outside door-frames; go cycling, and enjoy feeling recovered.
Every holiday is the same- feel semi-ill with tiredness for days on end, then come to life mid-week.
Even the bike rode in a more sprightly manner. Those two hours yesterday carefully cleaning the derailler gave sweet, almost silent gear changes. The sun shone.

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Hawthorn berries are made of ruby.

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Hurry, rest, there isn’t much time.

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16ºC, sunny with wind.
Big storm coming: Sunday night, gales, Monday heavy rain.

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Film: Sightseers. Serial killer goes on holiday in a caravan. This is like Mike Leigh with casual murder. Beautifully shot and rendered on Bluray. And funny too. There is plenty written about this film, I don’t need to repeat here but I am still impressed by the quality of hidef on Bluray. Colour depth and shadow detail are dramatically clearer. The extra resolution is secondary in my opinion.

My holiday to-do list is far too long for a one-week holiday. The marking bag is heavy this year, but I will try.

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