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Spammy McSpamface

11:24am, 30 Nov 2023
Every so often we get a little burst of spambots - they like to post garbage on threads, usually with a link to some dodgy website. Most time it looks like an automated thing, but sometimes it looks like some poor sap is being paid (probably not very much) to post on as many forums as they can find.

This is usually either to fool people who follow the link; or it's to 'game' SEO (to artificially push a website up search engine rankings). Or sometimes it's a one-off from someone who doesn't really care about our forum, they just want to share their site.

Normally, I get a couple of feedback messages telling me about the post, and I delete it and block the user in question.

It takes effort on the part of the person who reports the spam; and for me to find it and block it. So I thought we could automate the process, and kill the spam as quickly as possible.

I've added a button that shows up alongside new posts from new people. It's a green button that says "This post is spam". It only shows up for the first ten posts that a user makes. We have lots of genuine first-time posters, and it wouldn't be very inviting for their posts to sit awaiting judgement from people they don't know. So the person making the new post doesn't get to see it.

If you've found some spam, press the button, and it'll get reported. I get a notification, and will deal with it as soon as I can. But if three separate users have reported a post, the post will be removed and the poster will be automatically blocked.

I'll make a test account called "Spammy McSpamface" and post on one of the threads. Let's see if it works :-)
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Ohhh I’ve not seen spammy posts on fetch before but looking for spammy mcspamface now.
    geordiegirl
    11:25am, 30th Nov 2023
  • Very clever.
    Fenland Flier
    11:27am, 30th Nov 2023
  • Splat the rat!
    McGoohan
    11:34am, 30th Nov 2023
  • Yes. Very clever.
    Ness
    11:34am, 30th Nov 2023
  • Brilliant!
    HellsBells
    11:37am, 30th Nov 2023
  • Good stuff
    Diogenes
    11:38am, 30th Nov 2023
  • Excellent. I saw one the other day and it was cleared up so quickly! Either this site doesn't get targeted much, or the systems are very good at stopping it!
    ptr_runner
    11:49am, 30th Nov 2023
  • I have a few systems in place that recognise common patterns, but there’s nothing like eyeballs for this sort of thing 😀
    fetcheveryone
    11:56am, 30th Nov 2023
  • I've spotted on Spammy McSpamface, but they've already been [Removed by Moderator], so no chance to see the green button.
    But sounds a good way to deal with it fetch.

    Is the button only on forum threads, or on blog posts as well? What about my ne kitchen requirements? ;-
    um
    11:59am, 30th Nov 2023
  • It’s only on forum posts for now, but let’s see how it pans out, and if it works I can add it to blog posts too.
    fetcheveryone
    12:02pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • Hello, I'm looking for a new kitchen and disappointed that I will be deprived of useful links
    fleecy
    12:02pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • Excellent work, Fetch :-)
    cathrobinson
    12:42pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • 👍
    ♪♫ Synge ♪♫
    12:48pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • Great idea, makes it easier for all of us
    richmac
    1:39pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • Love this.
    LindsD
    2:34pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • I just went hunting for Spam but couldn't find it. New game! Well done, top stopping. Humans 1 v 0 Bots. :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    5:03pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • 😀
    Seratonin
    7:56pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • Fritter the fuckers
    XB
    8:35pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • Clever idea! Fighting bots with technology, I like it.
    cackleberry
    9:07pm, 30th Nov 2023
  • 😁
    Jaks
    7:15am, 1st Dec 2023
  • Excellent efficiency tweak. Like it a lot
    eL Bee!
    8:34am, 1st Dec 2023
  • That's great! Does that make it a challenge for a spammer to get to over ten posts and into the clear zone? 😀
    JCB
    9:40am, 1st Dec 2023
  • As it's now a special challenge for a spammer to get over 10 posts and into the clear zone, is there a special badge to recognise the feat?
    Dingbat
    1:56pm, 2nd Dec 2023
  • I quite like spam. Spam, spam, spam, spam...
    Chicken 🐔 Legs
    9:19am, 11th Dec 2023


40 days and 40 nights

1:50pm, 29 Nov 2023
A poignant point in flood watch. I think I'll start measuring progress in Noahs now.

In 40 days, if you're into that sort of thing, God wiped all life from the face of the earth with a big flood. Meanwhile Darwin invented shoulders for fish, and the shrug was born.

Having significantly less firepower at my disposal, day 40 marks the point at which I finally managed to get a loss adjuster to visit the house, and to tick the box titled "this house is knackered". Anyone with ANY sense could have spotted that on day 1. But it opens the door to being able to arrange a six month let for me and the boy.

It's official: the walls will all have to be hacked back to brick work, and then re-rendered and re-plastered. Thank goodness they've spent so much time drying out the old stuff, so it'll be nice and dusty when they batter it off with a hammer and bolster and chuck it in the skip. They've got to check it for asbestos though, as it's artex. I will be very happy to see it gone.

The kitchen will have to be ripped out and replaced; as will the internal doors; and maybe even the floorboards in the front room. Someone's put a foot through one while they were (finally) removing the sofas and other sodden furniture. But only once they'd spent a few weeks drying it all out. No-one wants to carry a wet sofa.

And that's about it for this progress report. I'm really hoping this will be our last hotel stay. There's a whole bunch of stuff I want to cook, and some "sitting on a sofa in my vest" that I need to catch up on.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • That really is slow progress!
    Autumnleaves
    1:53pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • It does seem to be taking time!
    Ness
    1:55pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • Artex and Silver linings. I thought it was 100 days they measure stuff in, there's loads of TV called that. Seriously, I reckon that's good because they're getting on with it.
    Ocelot Spleens
    2:00pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • I'm afraid this is fairly standard process. (industry knowledge). They'll always dry first because, even if stuff needs ripped out and replaced, because the same stuff being wet and mouldy isn't very healthy (and can spread to non-infected areas, or go deeper into things, causing more damage/costs/disruption, etc). Thought the adjuster may have been out slightly earlier, but would depend on the comments from the dryers if there was much urgency. It also takes longer during 'surge' events (heavy claims periods due to significant weather issues - generally) simply due to the availability of resource.

    Would recommend, once the strip out has been done, that you keep on top of the adjuster to make sure he's moving things on, and contractors are being arranged as soon as they can be. Those that shout loudest, and all that, is actually true here. If you've getting stonewalled, get onto the insurance company direct, and start talking about complaints, dissatisfaction and any other grumble you can come up with.
    PK
    2:05pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave....
    Sigh
    2:13pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • Fingers crossed for the 6 month rental soon!
    cathrobinson
    2:20pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • Hope you get a nice rental sorted soon.
    Elsie Too
    2:28pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • If you're on you sofa in your vest, you've got the heating up too high. Or you've rented a place in the Canaries.
    There's an idea? 6 month rental somewhere exotic?

    Hope the rest goes a bit faster & all is ready in the 6 months.
    um
    2:29pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • Fingers crossed the next part goes smoothly x
    Corrah
    2:59pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • Time moves way more slowly in some ways than others. I hope you manage to find a rental quickly.
    Fenland Flier
    3:00pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • So awful having to go through all this!
    sallykate
    4:14pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • hang in there..you have got this far without losing your marbles - good advice above and hope you get the green light on the rental
    MH
    5:49pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • There's no easy way through an over-abundance of water, but I'm glad to see that you reached the top of one list. I hope thing move on at a faster pace now.
    Helegant
    7:23pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • Hope it gets you on the road to bring sorted
    richmac
    7:33pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • This puts lots back in perspective for many of the mains I have. I hope you get sorted out properly and as quickly as possible
    Bazoaxe
    8:13pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • So sorry. You sound weary. No surprise there.
    LindsD
    9:14pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • It sounds very disruptive for you, and stressful xx
    fleecy
    10:47pm, 29th Nov 2023
  • How frustrating but lets hope from now it moves and you get sorted soon.
    geordiegirl
    9:20am, 30th Nov 2023


EfM confirmed!

1:22pm, 23 Nov 2023
Me and the boy have Escape from Meriden tickets! He's on a driving lesson, so I couldn't ask him one last time if he's still up for it - but I managed to get in via the quiz!

*parp*
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Great news! :)
    Ness
    1:23pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • :-)
    minardi
    1:24pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Fabulous, well done :)
    Corrah
    1:26pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Expecting to see some route optimisation! :)
    Snail
    1:34pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • The North relay might have just about got to the start line :)
    Snail
    1:35pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • That would be epic if it was hidden somewhere at the start :-)
    fetcheveryone
    1:38pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Frodo and Sam will take it further north :-)
    fetcheveryone
    1:38pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • So brilliant!
    LindsD
    1:58pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Excellent :)
    ThorntonRunner
    2:10pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Excellent!!
    cathrobinson
    2:15pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Fabulous :)
    Rosehip
    2:18pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Brill!
    Diogenes
    2:18pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Excellent looking forward to seeing you there.....
    geordiegirl
    2:52pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Fab!!
    Mrs Jigs (Luverlylegs)
    2:57pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • 👏🏻
    DIY Diva
    4:15pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • bunting
    Sigh
    4:33pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • ... can you take one of the Fetch relays with you? :-)
    Sigh
    4:34pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Ooh exciting!
    clare1976
    5:44pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • superb!
    GetOutTheDoor
    5:54pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Awesome! This race has been on my list for a while. I'll be there when I move back to the UK
    ptr_runner
    6:04pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • I absolutely love that you've previously poo-pooed the idea of a marathon and are now doing an ultra - seems it gets us all in the end! :)
    ishep 🇪🇺
    6:23pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Fab news ….. I’ll be aiming to follow you .. and I don’t mean your dot 😂😂😂😜
    Gromit
    7:36pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Exciting!
    LazyDaisy
    8:16pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy!
    rhb
    8:31pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Excellent!
    ♪♫ Synge ♪♫
    10:15pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Congratulations! Will you be wearing the orange jump suits?
    Sam Jelfs
    9:07am, 24th Nov 2023
  • Yes!
    fetcheveryone
    9:08am, 24th Nov 2023
  • I've sat on the EfM home page several times this morning debating whether to enter for next year because of you! Congrats on getting in, have fun plotting a route!
    Gooner
    10:30am, 24th Nov 2023
  • Ooh, good luck if you do.
    fetcheveryone
    10:32am, 24th Nov 2023
  • At present I'm being sensible and have set a reminder for next year's entries as I have other targets for next year already. There is however still 1hr 20m for me to flip/flop on that decision again! 🙈
    Gooner
    10:39am, 24th Nov 2023
  • Woohoo!
    jennywren
    2:52pm, 24th Nov 2023
  • 👏👏👏 Meriden’s not far from me - might have to come and see you off 😊
    SarahWoo
    9:53am, 30th Nov 2023


New Training Log Beta! 😲 (aka Change Is Not Good)

10:32am, 23 Nov 2023
I've been working on some changes to the training log.

Because it's a super-key part of the site, I'm releasing a beta version that you can try out. The last thing I want to do is upset anyone for whom Change Is Not Good.

I suspect it'll require some more amendments, and you'll no doubt find things I hadn't realised were not finished :-)

Apart from a few cosmetic changes, the key adjustment is in the box over on the right captioned 'Fields'. On the old-style log, this is in a similar place, and you could use it to switch between benchmarks, predictions, HR data, route info etc.

BUT...

there's a new option in the dropdown titled 'Custom'. When you choose that, a new button appears titled 'Edit Fields'. Click that, and you can pick from 41 different field options. The idea is that instead of having to flick between the tabs, you can cherry pick all the bits of information you want to see in your list.

NB if you go back to the old training log, and change your view to e.g. 'Predictions', this will affect the setting in the beta. It won't lose your choice of fields, but you'll have to enable 'custom' again.

If you're on a desktop, you'll notice one further change. The training log page will now expand to fit the available width - so it gives you the opportunity to include quite a few fields before things get cramped. On mobile, in portrait mode, you get the same view as before - just the basics - but if you hold your phone in landscape mode, you get the full set of custom fields. This means that the table may well extend beyond the right-hand edge of the screen - so it's up to you how much you want to cram into it.

Here's the link to try it. It's probably a good idea to create a shortcut to it until it's eventually ready to replace the old version. (you know how to do that right? Go to the page, and click the star icon on the right-hand side. Then you can access it via the 'Shortcuts' link at the top of the page (which appears as a little curvy arrow on mobile)).

fetcheveryone.com/training-beta.php

Like I said, there are probably teething problems. But please have a play with it and point them out ruthlessly.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • *Starts polishing pitchfork*
    *Orders new bottle of pitchfork oil from Amazon*
    *Lights set of burning torches*
    Okay, now to check out the changes
    McGoohan
    10:34am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Don't forget to post on the Angry Mob WhatsApp group!
    fetcheveryone
    10:35am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Of course.
    McGoohan
    10:37am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • First teether, the orientation of the title here:
    McGoohan
    10:38am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • On my laptop, i picked WAVA as a new field but the word WAVA appears at 90 degrees to the other column titles. Is it meant to?
    GordonG
    10:38am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • er, yeah. wot McG said...
    GordonG
    10:39am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Probably not just related to this, but the popup which comes up when a calendar entry is hovered over is really annoying! First impressions are that font sizes could / should be bigger to take up a bit more real-estate. It looks very sparse on a nice wide screen in a browser with a small font.
    larkim
    10:39am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • I've put them all at 90 degrees because it gets cramped if you have a lot of them. It looks weird if you just have one :-) I'll see if I can code around that.
    fetcheveryone
    10:40am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • The additional fields all appear that way, I guess so that you can fit more columns in. My observation is, if you select ascent, descent, hillscore and cadence, cadence is rendered between ascent and descent. It'd be nice if they were grouped together.
    Diogenes
    10:40am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • @larkim - yes, I haven't tackled the popup yet. And it will look less sparse when you choose some custom fields.
    fetcheveryone
    10:41am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Diogenes
    10:44am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • @Dio - I see it. Will put my thinking cap on, as there are a few reasons why reordering them is not as simple as it should be.
    fetcheveryone
    10:45am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • I think it's great, just the same comment as Dio - would be nice to configure the column order.
    zp
    10:58am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • As others have mentioned, the column order seems a bit bizarre. I ticked predictions for 5K, 10K, 10M and HM and they came out in the order 10K, 10M, 5K, HM so I'm wondering if they are being ordered alphabetically.
    westmoors
    11:19am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Is the plan to keep the current list of view options and just have Custom as an extra option, or do away with the dropdown and only have Custom ?
    K5 Gus
    11:28am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • Thanks fetch - would still like larger fonts if the stylesheet can cope. I don't want too much data on the tables, but what is there would be nice to be bigger / dynamically adapt to the space available. But it's not a biggie!!
    larkim
    11:40am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • It would be good to be able to sort by the numerical custom fields as we can by dist/time/pace/speed.
    StuH
    11:47am, 23rd Nov 2023
  • can we have the kph field as an option so I can not have it showing?
    chunkywizard
    4:36pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • There is no option for 'bespoke' in the custom dropdown list.
    And before I went to the dropdown list my bespoke columns had no data/info showing, but in the current log I have data most days for my second bespoke field.
    Pegg
    6:38pm, 23rd Nov 2023
  • I like it, I like it a lot. Only comment would be as above, the ability to reorder the fields that are selected but tbh, it's not a biggie. Top marks 😉
    Gooner
    10:37am, 24th Nov 2023
  • Oooo. I think I like.
    Could we have the intensity column coloured in, so it's a bit more intuitive than just numbers?
    Also, the 'notes' field is a bit squashed - I did read that they are evenly distributed, still squished.
    cackleberry
    2:36pm, 24th Nov 2023
  • The table probably ought to have a maximum width style applied. It looks... a little silly... on a high res display.
    mono
    10:26pm, 24th Nov 2023
  • Perhaps you've misunderstood what happens when you add your chosen fields to the 'Custom' tab.
    fetcheveryone
    7:50am, 25th Nov 2023
  • Can we have pacing% added to the custom options, pretty please?
    westmoors
    11:27am, 25th Nov 2023
  • I like it 😃 no new comment really - would be nice if the column headers were horizontal like other folks have noticed
    mackers2
    12:18pm, 25th Nov 2023
  • Have I missed how we give feedback? Is it just here for the moment? I like it, especially customising the fields. What would be REALLY helpful is locking the field column headers so if you have a huge list of entries (and a large number of fields) you can remember which column is for which field.
    TeeBee
    7:25am, 27th Nov 2023
  • I prefer the training type to be in its own column instead of being in with the icons, date etc. That way if I'm looking back for a particular activity in the past I can scroll down faster and find it.
    Pegg
    9:00am, 27th Nov 2023
  • You can just use the filter to show specific training types.
    fetcheveryone
    9:19am, 27th Nov 2023
  • Just had a quick look and with Heart selected, metric, B/km is zero all the time, even though the rest of the HR data are there
    NordRunner
    1:33pm, 28th Nov 2023
  • Here's a pic
    NordRunner
    1:35pm, 28th Nov 2023
  • Late to the party on this - the overall layout is much less clear on the desktop than the classic version, as it takes up the whole window so is Too Big if you have a large screen. The classic version has wide margins to L&R.
    Drell
    5:42pm, 2nd Jan 2024


Escape from Meriden

4:38pm, 20 Nov 2023
On Friday night, we stayed up late to watch some dots on a map. It was 'Escape from Meriden' - a race I've been interested in for a while now. It starts at an ancient cross on a green in the small town of Meriden. It's the traditional 'centre of England' point, even though these days it's acknowledged to be about 10-12 miles southwest of the actual point. But let's not allow accuracy to get in the way of a good story.

It's not a huge event, with usually just a couple of hundred entrants. They all congregate on the green, and when the clock reaches midnight, the race starts. But they all run in different directions. The idea is to get as far away as possible within 24 hours. You're not allowed on transport or anything like that - it's just a foot race. Each entrant has a GPS tracker, so the organisers can verify their data; and also so that spectators can watch the dots spread out in all directions from the centre point. Many of the participants wear orange boiler suits, to give it a bit of a 'prison break' theme. There's also a 'chained' category, where pairs are chained together at the wrist. And there are medals for escaping the 30, 60 and 90 mile radius circles.

Our very own Sam Jelfs did the event - so I'm hopeful of a blog from him in the next week or so when he's recovered sufficiently. Spoiler alert: he did really well.

The idea of A to B runs have a certain Hobbit-like quality that always appealed to me. The idea of being on a quest, rather than just going for a run and finishing back at your house, or wherever it was you left your bag - I like that.

I've dallied with the idea of entering the 2024 event - and sent the link to my boy to see what he thought of the idea of me doing it. I wasn't expecting him to want to join me! He's done long hikes for DoE and stuff like that, but he doesn't run currently, and I would bet is unlikely to want to do any training :-) There's also the small fact of him being at university by this point. But I'd never turn down the opportunity to do something like this with him. He suggested we could get from Meriden to his home area, which would probably mean about 40 miles.

Entries open at the end of this week, and they sell out very quickly - so it's a now or never decision. Although it seems that there's a decent trading places market in the month leading up to the event.

Being me, I've been trying to look at the different routes, and see which ones are most efficient, and which ones have the most hills in the way. Of course, if the Boy does go through with it, we'll do his plan. But I'm just curious :-)

I started by drawing points on the 60 mile circle, at every ten degrees - and plotting the route to each one. It's ok though, I used a computer to do all the hard work :) I just waited, in the hope of a pretty picture. And I got one! Here it is:



In a few places, e.g. at 20 degrees, the point on the 60 mile circle wasn't on a recognised path - so in my example I looked at 19 degrees as a reasonable approximation.

I've made a little page here:

fetcheveryone.com/efm.php

Just below the map, you can see each of the routes (0 degrees being the straight north route), along with the distance you have to travel, the ascent, hillscore, and an efficiency rating that tells you which routes are the most wiggle free.

But it's just a starting point, from the comfort of a chair in a warm office. For one thing, the routes need proper recon. From what I've seen whilst reading about the event, straight roads often = busy, and if there are no pavements it can be more than a bit challenging. And equally, a solely off-road route brings its own challenges, with mud, undergrowth, darkness and fewer opportunities to get support or buy food.

The Boy Route would be at roughly 18 degrees - and we have the advantage that one of the runners from the top 15 placed competitors ran virtually up our street. So we'll be comparing our route with theirs :-)

That's all I have for now. If I/we decide to go ahead AND get a place, I think that over the next year I'll be trying to do some longer distances, walking more too, and readying myself so that I am fit for the challenge, whether it's a walk-walk-walk-run with The Boy, or a solo walk-run. ⭐

Toodles.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Meriden is just down the road from us 😀 I’d say you could route past for a cuppa, but you probably don’t need to stop 4 miles in 🤣🤣 Sounds like an exciting adventure 😀
    phal
    4:41pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Love that picture, would look great on a T-shirt. You should email it to the organisers !
    K5 Gus
    4:45pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • A friend of mine did it a few years ago and was scuppered by his route ending in the sea, where he could go no further! I love the idea of racing with almost zero likelihood of coming across another competitor once the starting pistol has fired. I'd guess you'd ideally want to bet on a prevailing wind from the south west to help on your way which your 18deg might benefit from.
    larkim
    4:47pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • If I planned on doing this (& I’m not) think I’d find the nearest canal and stay on that! It’d take most of the navigation & traffic out of the equation.
    Mozzer
    4:52pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Great idea! You're map looks like a bloodshot eyeball to me (helps if you squint a bit)
    Diogenes
    4:53pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • No interest in this at all ;)

    however the route home as plotted by OS “snap to route” tool is 81.5 miles net downhill but with ~ 2500ft ofclimb. It’s not terribly efficient and I wasn’t impressed with a couple of the roadside choices
    No way I could do it in 24 hours, so that’s as far asthe interest got.
    Rosehip
    4:53pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • My friend and I tried to get in this year, its our plan to sign up for next year - this is a good blog, thanks Fetch :)
    geordiegirl
    4:55pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • This is a really fun idea - hope to dot-watch you next year!
    LazyDaisy
    4:55pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Friend of mine did this a few years ago and went up the Trent & Mersey Canal. I was out when he went past here (found out about his location too late).
    Sigh
    4:58pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Great piece of work. It would be interesting to see how much difference if A roads were eliminated
    Snail
    4:59pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • (Correction: it was a friend of a friend; searched my messages for 'Meriden'. 2019.)
    Sigh
    5:01pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • @Mozzer - I've seen people who've used the canals, and this year it was very hard going because they were super muddy.
    fetcheveryone
    5:01pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Oh, I should have checked your table! Your route that gets me closest to home is “only” 62 miles. More investigation needed
    Rosehip
    5:01pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • And it's mostly downhill Rosehip :-)
    fetcheveryone
    5:07pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • This is interesting! My last teaching post before retirement was in Warwick so I regularly used to commute through Meriden to get to it, interestingly using part of one of those route you've indicated on the map.
    Ness
    5:27pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • My non Fetchie friend got a place with 2 weeks to spare, although she does a lot of running so wasn’t too phased. Even with (for her) minimal training she managed 55 miles before retiring with (she said) trench feet from the relentless rain all night. She’s done it twice before though so knew what route she was going to take.
    jennywren
    5:27pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Looks fun. But how do they congregate to get the finisher medal .!?
    Mushroom
    5:44pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • I'll write a blog with my thoughts tomorrow, and I am certainly not the voice of reason...

    Do It!

    The great thing is that there is not really any expectation of runners making a certain distance, no DNF, just personal goals.

    And yes running down the A5 into London might be the most efficient route, and would have gone almost passed my parents respective front doors, but would have bored me senseless! Give me muddy trails over flat roads.
    Sam Jelfs
    7:12pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • I've seen this one a few times over the years and always thought it looked fun. Well out of my reach for the time being but I get the feeling it will hopefully happen one day. Would have to figure out where to go mind you as I only live 19 wiggly miles away these days!
    Gooner
    7:42pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • If you were really analytical you could then look in the training log for any activities that cover all of these routes and work out how fast each portion of the route is (normalised for the typical speed of the participant, of course) and then you'd have a really good idea of the most efficient route. Just saying ;-)
    flanker
    9:01pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Love this. Hope you do it
    LindsD
    9:17pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • I thought like Dio (bloodshot eyeball); and Mozzer (canal). Good luck! And I bet if you are both in, The Boy will train.
    Dvorak
    9:24pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Looks like fun actually :)
    Corrah
    9:39pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • This makes me happy. You’re coming into my world… And nobody really cares if you make 10 miles or a 100 as long as it is what you wanted to do
    NDWDave
    10:26pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Ooh!
    ♪♫ Synge ♪♫
    11:15pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Happy to share my experiences of a few EfM's if you'd like any additional input? Fwiw it seems there're 2 definitely "winning" routes in terms of efficiency these days (London & Chester towards Wirral) but I always tried to get back towards Mcr area. I blogged about one of them: fetcheveryone.com/blog-share.php?id=368720

    One year he ran version called EfGB which started at Haltwhistle and was a 48hr one which was amazing experience, I'd love another go at that one but the entry was small so unlikely it'd be viable to host as an event again. I blogged about that too: fetcheveryone.com/blog-share.php?id=427931

    You should get in OK, loads of places get traded nearer the time too. Enjoy 👍
    rhb
    11:48pm, 20th Nov 2023
  • Sounds amazing!
    GetOutTheDoor
    8:27am, 21st Nov 2023


Waiting for your training?

2:16pm, 18 Nov 2023
Initially I thought this was a Garmin problem - but I just double-checked, and I'm glad I did! It turns out it was the Fetch server. The code that pulls in Garmin files runs once a minute. Normally it completes within about 10 seconds, and processes a handful of files each time - but there's a security lock, so that if it takes longer than a minute, the code doesn't run again until it's finished. The lock had failed to unlock. I have put a bit of WD40 on it, and the queue is now going down.

Bing bong.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • :)
    Ness
    2:18pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • ✔️
    Bob!
    2:21pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • 🤣🤣
    EvilPixie
    2:25pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • If WD40 doesn't work, just hit it hard with a hammer.

    (but thanks for sorting it)
    (is it the same issue that yesterday early evening, and this morning, just the normal screen refresh, thread opening etc was very slow? 2-3 mins a page)
    um
    2:32pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • I noticed. Then noticed I was hungry so forgot. Thanks.
    Ocelot Spleens
    2:35pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • I usually use a hammer when things dont work
    Spanners99
    2:43pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Thank you 😃
    IdristheDragon
    2:45pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Grazie :-)
    DIY Diva
    2:49pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Thank you. I thought something must be up. You can fix anything with WD40
    laterunner
    3:03pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Thank you, great work👏
    Jenster65
    3:15pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • WD 40 rocks , one of the greatest discoveries to DIY
    UltraDunc
    3:30pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • If it doesn't move and it should - WD40
    If it moves and it shouldn't - duct tape
    ThorntonRunner
    3:44pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Did you try turning it off and turning it back on again?
    GimmeMedals
    3:46pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Glad the hamsters wheel is now turning smoothly again.
    Sushi
    4:04pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • What TR says^^! ;)
    Garfield
    4:44pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Thanks!
    chunkywizard
    5:13pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Thanks fetch.
    leaguefreak
    5:24pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Nice one, Fetch. On a Saturday too.
    Fenners-Reborn
    6:58pm, 18th Nov 2023
  • Ah yes - that explains yesterday's puzzling lack of race update, thank you!
    Schnecke
    7:58am, 19th Nov 2023


Route of the Century?

10:42am, 17 Nov 2023
We're a little way off that yet. But if you click the 'Routes' tab, you'll see the 'Route of the Day'.

fetcheveryone.com/routes.php

Just underneath the picture, there's a tick box you can click that will give you a daily notification to check out the latest picture.

And from there, if you click the 'Route of the Month' button, it will show you all this month's ROTD pictures:

fetcheveryone.com/routes-daily.php

Under each one is a voting button, so you can vote for your favourite. You can do that at any time, and change your mind as often as you like. But there'll be a notification for everyone on the last day of each month, inviting you to vote; and the owner of the picture with most votes will pick up this juicy golden pineapple badge:

fetcheveryone.com/badge.php?bid=826

In all truth, the emphasis is much more on photography than your actual choice of route - I don't tend to look at where you went :-)

How do I earn this prestigious bit of virtual dreaminess?
If you'd like to earn the ROTM badge, your first goal is to be featured as 'Route of the Day'. To do that:

1) create a ***public*** route
2) add a picture to it.

I look through all these periodically, and add the good ones to the Route of the Day stack. Right now, the stack stretches to mid-December, so don't worry if your amazing pic doesn't turn up straight away. I like to keep plenty in reserve!

How do I catch the eye of Mr Fetch with my picture?

Some tips for getting your picture approved by me:

0) SHORTCUT: bag of used fivers, no questions asked.

1) make sure it fits the frame (i.e. no blank borders) and the right way up.

2) avoid recognisable faces. It's a pain to check whether they've given approval, so I just dismiss these on the whole. But unrecognisable figures in your picture are ok - sometimes they give an idea of scale, or conditions.

3) does it look like you've just run/walked/ridden/swum to this point? Ideally, yes. I want to inspire people to think about the places they can get to with their activities. Wildlife pics, or things that you've happened across whilst running are not to be dismissed, but there needs to be some context - otherwise they are just pictures of wildlife or things.

4) framing! Does that lamp post near the edge of your picture add or detract from what you're showing? Pay attention to the things around the edges of your picture, and decide whether they are best in or out of shot. Similarly, if you've got a horizon, is it looking roughly level? I won't be getting my spirit level out, but I've seen some crackers :-)

5) focus! So there's a magnificent tree that you've run to. Is it in focus, or are the nettles just in front of you stealing the show? If you want to know more about photo composition, try looking up 'the rule of thirds'. Or ask someone who knows about photography i.e. not me :-) I just know what I like :-)

6) it doesn't have to be stuff in nature, like epic landscapes, or majestic pathways into the distance. I am also a sucker for a bit of gritty urban realism. I also like rusty stuff.

7) does it make you go "wow, that's a nice one"?

I would really love to see more of your photography. It's a lovely insight into the places where you all live and train.

Thank you :-)
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • I really like this feature. Like you say. It's great to see a photo that has a wow factor! I also like ones that make me think, ooh that's somewhere I'd like to go! Or, even better, when occasionally, if it's somewhere where I look and think, ooh! I've visited there too! They all make me smile!
    Ness
    11:00am, 17th Nov 2023
  • Nice 🍍
    GimmeMedals
    11:20am, 17th Nov 2023
  • *starts digging through photos*
    Sampson
    11:41am, 17th Nov 2023
  • Just a check - it's not "Route of the Day/Month", it's "Route Picture" isn't it? Because what people vote on is the pretty pic, not the elevation, terrain, direction, length or otherwise of the route, is it?
    HappyG(rrr)
    1:13pm, 17th Nov 2023
  • Where's my smiley?! :-) :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    1:13pm, 17th Nov 2023
  • Technically you are correct, but I'm not changing it now :-)
    fetcheveryone
    1:48pm, 17th Nov 2023
  • I like the pictures too. Rare for me to look at the whole route!
    3M
    10:03pm, 17th Nov 2023


I didn't know I owned a nutcracker

10:40am, 16 Nov 2023
That's brought back a memory. And it's pretty clear, because we had a tape recorder at the time, and someone was recording our family chat - just as a novelty. So I got to hear it back multiple times. Or at least, that's how I remember it.

We were at my grandparents house one Christmas time - my sister, my parents, and grandma and grandpa. There were walnuts, which I wouldn't even contemplate trying, but I liked watching them being cracked. I offered to go to the kitchen to get the nutcracker, but realised it was dark and I don't think I was tall enough to reach the light switch. Someone suggested I should use a torch. I pointed out that you can't crack a nut with a torch. Cue much amusement from the rest of the family, whilst I (still somewhat confused) was lauded as a comedy genius.

Anyway... it turns out I own a nutcracker. Or rather I did, until it went into the black bag marked 'Beyond Repair' as the inventory people worked their way through the flooded house.

There hasn't been a great deal of progress.

On day 7, some blokes came round and took up the lino in the downstairs loo with a Stanley knife, and sprayed sanitiser on all the floors and surfaces. They wanted to install drying equipment, but there was no power.

On day 10, an electrician came and installed temporary power, so that the drying equipment could be used. He pointed out that my electric meter was screwed. I reported the flood and loss of power to EON, and their response seems to have been *shrug emoji*. So for now at least, we're bypassing their meter - and perhaps they'll work it out when they realise we've used no power for a few months.

Also on day 10, the car insurance people finally collected the car. On one hand, we got a good payout for the old car, but on the other hand, the price of second-hand cars has risen, so we've borrowed a bit of cash to get ourselves a replacement. This was a relief after a failed trip to north London to see a car that looked great in the pictures, but looked mouldy and battered up close. The new car is officially 'Blue Ink' in colour (even though I think it looks close to purple), so we're calling it Blinky. It's a Nissan Qashqai, and so far, so lovely. Gone are those worries about whether the engine is making a funny noise. For now at least.

On day 11, I got a call from the drying company to say they'd installed two drying machines. They are a bit smaller than a typical washing machine. They run 24 hours a day, with little tubes - one is piddling down the sink, and the other is piddling out of the letterbox.

Things went a bit quiet then, but there was probably nothing to be done, plus we were lucky enough to go away on holiday for days 12 through 19. Based on what other people on my street have been told by their own insurers, I've started looking for six month lets in the area. My boy is quite excited by this, as it means we can get a bit closer to his school, his friends, and the train station for going to watch Notts County matches. But whilst there are a few properties that look decent, we can't actually move forward on any of them, because the insurance company won't sign off the cost until their assessor has officially deemed the house to be f**ked. Official term. And quite remarkably, that visit isn't scheduled until day 32, more than a month after everything was two feet under water.

Yesterday (day 25), two people turned up to inventory the contents of the house. Perhaps it's because I've been starved of progress, but I was really impressed - they were incredibly kind, patient, courteous and so very very thorough. They whizzed through the front and back room, because there are mostly only big things in there (sofa, tv stand, coffee table, lamp - that sort of thing). But then they itemised the kitchen, and they really did write down EVERYTHING! The kitchen cupboards tend to be a mixture of kitchen things, but also one of them houses board games, and another had a whole bunch of hobby stuff. It was a good job I was there, as I was able to help them identify what some of the things were. Their attention to detail was not dissimilar to McGoohan's spatula blogs :-) They counted the allen keys and spanners, the knives and forks, and cookie cutters. And yes, one nutcracker, which must have been at the back of the drawer for at least 12 years. They counted out the sodden Lego instruction books that we keep in a defunct ice box under the stairs. They wrote it all down, with brand names where available, and serial numbers for anything that had one. They even correctly identified the large pink thing in the front room as a tow float. And throughout, they were just lovely.

I took a few pics when I was there. Here's what the water very quickly did to our Ikea bookshelf-cum-tv stand. It's done the same to all the kitchen cupboards:



and here is an upside down sofa, complete with mould, and a whole load of carrier bags full of things they scooped out and deemed binworthy. In the foreground you can see one of the drying machines:



There are some things that don't make a lot of sense to me about the overall process so far. I get that progress is slow because the flooding has affected a lot of houses. But to leave sofas in place, basically acting as big mouldy sponges; and to leave laminate flooring in place that is *clearly* knackered, sitting on top of sodden underlay, which in turn sits on top of floorboards that are trying to breathe... to do all that whilst asking two drying machines to suck all the moisture out of the house? It doesn't make sense.

But there you go - I am in the hands of people who do this all the time, and I am writing this from a hotel that they've put me and The Boy in for a few nights so we can have some time together. It's nice in some ways - the beds are comfy, and there are huge screens in the bar that show live sport virtually 24 hours a day. The most difficult part I think is the food. Breakfast is included, but we still have to source the rest of our meals - and eating out or eating takeaways starts to feel very wrong (and more than a bit expensive) after the first couple. And teenagers, in my experience, have a close relationship with their fridges - so we've had to find ways around that. The staff here have been kind enough to store a 'cheese and sausage roll' box for us in the fridge behind the bar. Roll on day 32, when we'll hopefully get sign off on a rented place, so we can take a step towards living normally again.

I remain pretty upbeat, and thankful for so much. There are people on the street with no insurance, and nowhere else to go. We will get this sorted, and come out the other side.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Good to hear progress is being made, albeit slowly.
    Garfield
    10:48am, 16th Nov 2023
  • Some years back, we had a lesser, domestic flood and found the same thing: an impressive initial flurry of activity followed by glacial progress and radio silence.
    Diogenes
    10:50am, 16th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for sharing this with us. It's easy for we who are not affected to think of the flooding as last month's news rather than a continuing nightmare for those affected. It's also interesting to see the process following such an event. Glad you've got a car sorted and hope you get a rented place soon. Respect to you for your positivity.
    ThorntonRunner
    10:52am, 16th Nov 2023
  • I'd be in bits for the duration. I don't know how other folk cope.
    RichHL
    10:59am, 16th Nov 2023
  • Your level of composure over this total disruption of your life is awe inspiring, Fetch, and I appreciate the detail as a real insight into what it means to have your house flooded. Not in a rubbernecking way, I hope, but because it's an ever-present risk where I live. I hope it doesn't take too long to make your house fit for all of you to live in again.
    I wonder how many new nutcrackers are already winging their way to you ;)
    Velociraptor
    11:04am, 16th Nov 2023
  • You do seem very calm about the whole situation - I’m sure that’s a good way to be for your own MH. I hope you get a rented place soon.
    cathrobinson
    11:06am, 16th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for keeping us informed. Those poor sods with no insurance :-( Are you allowed more than cheese and sausage rolls in your box? how big is the box? I feel the detail is lacking.
    minardi
    11:15am, 16th Nov 2023
  • So much to contend with and you, as always, remain upbeat and matter of fact. None of this can have been easy for any of you. Getting a Quasqai is a bit of a bonus though isn't it, even though you've had to add to the financial pot. I wish you many happy hours of driving pleasure :)
    GimmeMedals
    11:23am, 16th Nov 2023
  • Yes, sorry to hear the way this has gone.
    But what concerns me is what damage did the nutcracker have? Assuming it was a standard metal hinged type?
    um
    11:30am, 16th Nov 2023
  • Well done insurance people, but omg the illogic of some of the repair / restoration steps. :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    12:10pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • A slow process and hope you manage to get a rental very soon.
    Fenland Flier
    12:28pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • Hope you get a rental place soon.
    Ness
    12:55pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • Hope you get some progress soon. I had some work-related flashbacks; the first being required to produce a "schedule of dilapidations" after snow got into a partly-plastered incomplete office block (circa 1990), and the second being when a member of the OONS team ("One Off No Supply") from our ex-East Midlands Electricity business managed to burn down someone's house on NYE 1999. Thankfully all distant memories :-)
    Sigh
    1:18pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • (As to whether you need what is now National Grid (formerly WPD) for the electrics will depend upon whether the mains supply cables on the network side of the meter are also buggered; if it's only on the property side of the meter, then National Grid won't touch it, if I recall correctly)
    Sigh
    1:21pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • I loved your childhood memory. You are remarkably calm and sanguine. We've just moved house in an ordinary way and it's sent me into a tailspin.
    LindsD
    2:08pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • heart
    LazyDaisy
    2:37pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • 🥹 wow. Thanks for sharing. Never ‘seems’ real on the tele seems a lot more real seeing someone you know affected.
    Totriornottotri
    3:39pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • I’m impressed by your patience afterall if it’s out of your control what’s the point in stressing? Hoping you get sorted quickly and get a fridge to fill up with tasty stuff 😊
    runnerbean
    5:46pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • Sorry progress is slow but glad there is progress.
    Corrah
    6:06pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • Mr RB is managing to secure roast dinners for not much money via one of those food waste apps while he lives in a hotel. It can mean having meals at weird times though. Hope the drying and sorting happens quickly.
    RunnyBunny
    11:33pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • All the very best for a speedy resolution from here on in. I echo everyone else's sentiments regarding you composure.
    TeeBee
    7:49am, 17th Nov 2023


Design our anniversary shirts/vests!

11:23am, 14 Nov 2023
[copied from my fmail, just in case anyone else is interested]

Hello!

I am fmailing everyone who was foolish enough to express an interest (however fleeting) in designing our anniversary shirts and vests. I wanted to give you some more details, and to see if you're still up for it. There's no mad rush, but I would ideally like to get all designs submitted by (say) end of January so I can look at selling them in spring 2024.

Your design should work for both shirts and vests, and should take into account that because people are all sizes, the design should allow for extra material to be included/excluded depending on whether it's an XS or an XXL. If you've done any design for print before now, I guess it's very similar to the 'bleed' concept.

However many designs I get, my plan is to put them to the vote. If there's one very clear winner, I will probably just go with one design; but if more than one proves to be popular, I could look at getting multiple designs made up.

As for 'what's in it for you', I'd be happy to give you a proportion of the sales if you'd like that. It might not be a large amount. Typically I've sold the shirts for around £28, and once I've taken into account the cost of UK production, and post/packing, I typically make something like £8-£10 per shirt. So bearing in mind that the money I make will go towards running the site, I can't offer a huge amount. I'm guessing maybe £1-£2 per shirt? Perhaps you can let me know what makes it worthwhile for you (apart from that golden glow you'll feel inside), and we'll take it from there.

As for what the design should be... you've been around the site for long enough to get a flavour for it. And you've probably seen previous anniversary kit. But I don't want to pollute your fine creative minds with my filth. So let's keep the brief wide open!

And that's all I can think of right now. Oh... I'll give you my email address - [I won't post that in a blog, but leave a comment if you're interested and I'll fmail you], so that if at any point you'd like to put a design forward, you can do attachments and the like.

Thanks for being foolish enough to raise your head above the parapet!

Love and hugs,
Ian
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Ohhh new merch! Love it not sure how much I can design but fab that fetchies are involved. Personally happy for proceeds to help towards keeping fetch great.
    geordiegirl
    11:49am, 14th Nov 2023
  • ** wonders if Ron Hill does a gravy coloured fabric? **
    Nicholls595
    11:49am, 14th Nov 2023
  • Recent Jedburgh ultra brown kit was variously described as gray, mud or poo coloured! :-O Noo, Fetch is either bright and lurid or black and cool, surely?! :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    11:53am, 14th Nov 2023
  • I can't design for @£$€$, but i'll buy new merch for sure! :)
    Bowman 🇸🇪
    12:20pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • Coventry City re-created their famous brown away kit for their 150th anniversary
    Nicholls595
    12:29pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • My bad, it was actually the 125th anniversary shirt, in 2008/2009. Key words here, "anniversary" and "brown" ;-)
    Nicholls595
    12:34pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • I may have my own filth to flaunt.
    runnerbean
    12:38pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • I'm not a designer, but as a logo / core graphic, a suggestion of either
    - a big 20 and text along the lines of 'and going strong'
    - or a big central XX
    - with Fetch (big) Everyone (small) somewhere as per recent shirts

    with the 'std' Fetch small print message/text (for runners, cyclist etc etc) on the back
    um
    1:32pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • The 10th anniversary one made me look like a badly stuffed sausage because of its high neck. Could it not have one of those please for the designers among us (not me in other words)
    jennywren
    1:57pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • *makes notes* - "well stuffed sausage design ONLY".
    fetcheveryone
    2:01pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • While we're at it, can we get every MOTM winner to do a little sketch of their face for a teatowel?
    Sampson
    3:23pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • Design to be used for buffs too pls. I must NOT buy any more t-shirts. Just too many. Or make it a cotton one, and I'll consider it! :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    3:50pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • Crossed spatulas a must
    McGoohan
    4:17pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • Subtle pasty watermark
    Nicholls595
    4:42pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • I’m loving the tea towel idea!
    jelly
    11:07pm, 14th Nov 2023
  • *Fetch beginning to question whether asking the community was a good idea…* :-)
    Pothunter
    8:20am, 15th Nov 2023
  • Nothing useful to add, but I did laugh out loud at Sampson's idea.

    I like the big XX from Um.
    cackleberry
    9:21am, 15th Nov 2023
  • I have no design or even remotely artistic skills or talents available. I am however adept at wearing clothing and so shall await the sale of the gravy shirt.
    Gooner
    9:47am, 16th Nov 2023
  • I am not a designer but I can do unhelpful ideas only liked by the minority.

    TRAIN
    🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥
    RACES
    🟥🟥🟨🟨🟥
    FORUM
    🟩🟥🟥🟥🟥
    FETCH
    🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
    Totriornottotri
    3:51pm, 16th Nov 2023
  • Yes cotton T-Shirt please, not yet another, uneeded but wanted, running top ;-)
    CStar
    1:21pm, 21st Nov 2023


Holiday Reading - plenty of fiction :-)

11:00am, 10 Nov 2023
A few days ago, SooWoo posted a blog from Fuerteventura. She said that she could see a rainbow coming out of Lanzarote and remembered that me and Katie were there: fetcheveryone.com/blog/21784/2023/11/474416

I was out running at the time, so I can take no credit for the rainbow - but I saw it too! It was coming from our hotel, so I can only assume that Katie was responsible for it:



Yesterday was our last day. We landed in Luton just after 7pm, and shuffled our way through a passport queue that was so long the people at the front were wearing clothes that had gone out of fashion*. There was much grumbling and muttering as the folks with kids under 10 years of age were fast-tracked to the front of the queue. And unmistakable joy as the main queue went way quicker than the kids queue. I stepped into one of the automatic scanning machines, but it wasn't happy with me. I turned around and discovered a discombobulated lady standing in the machine with me. Perhaps as a result, I was sent to the manual glaring counter to be inspected. Home by 9pm, in time for an increasingly cross-eyed recording of Location, Location, Location before falling into bed. It was a lovely week.

(*this did not happen. But I hope you knew that. On our holiday, whilst discussing the 'fabricated blog' situation, we wondered about introducing a 'this blog entry is fictional' tickbox for authors. Although it would not stop someone in future from pretending that stuff was happening, it does put it into the mind of the author at the point of submitting. And it might even open up a whole sub-genre of fiction within our blogs. What do you think about that?)

I promised to share my holiday reading list. I got through nearly four books...

1) Fibber in the Heat - Miles Jupp. If you are of a certain age, you may well know Miles best as 'Archie the Inventor' from Balamory. But he is also now a successful panel show guest and comedian. Back in 2005, he tried his luck at becoming a cricket correspondent, by pretending to be one. He wrangled his way onto England's winter tour of India. You don't need to enjoy cricket to enjoy the book - although there are a few passages you might want to skim. It was entertaining from start to finish.

2) Why I Write - George Orwell. This is from the Penguin 'Great Ideas' series, and contains the title essay plus a few others. He has lots of interesting opinions about England and English and *the* English. Much of the writing was done in the early 1940s, so it's interesting to see how some of his predictions have panned out. I particularly liked this paragraph about what has happened to our 'ruling class' - it explains a lot about the current set of idiots:



It also contains his well-known rules of writing, which I like a lot (even though I doubt he would judge my meanderings kindly):



3) Big Beacon - Alan Partridge. This is actually written by the Gibbons brothers alongside Steve Coogan. They totally nail the tone all the way through the book. Alan attempts to resurrect his TV career whilst simultaneously telling the story of his plan to renovate a lighthouse purely out of spite. It's light on plot, but if you enjoy being immersed in the world of AP, it won't let you down.

4) Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir. A recommendation from Beany. I haven't quite finished this one yet, but I've read about 380/480 pages in just a couple of days (albeit with plenty of sitting-around time). The author also wrote The Martian, which became a film with Matt Damon that I am sure you've heard of. In this one, a man wakes up on a space ship, and slowly pieces together the how and the why. It has nice little dips into science (he works out that he's in artificial gravity by doing some experiments to measure gravity, etc etc), but is very readable, and very good fun. I hope that the last 100 pages are as good as the rest. Another cracker.

Right then, I'm off to nose around my log files for a bit.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Welcome back to....er... Luton, in many ways the Lanzarote of England.
    (While you were out there, my youngest was on La Palma for work - there's an observatory up one of the volcanoes :-o )
    McGoohan
    11:05am, 10th Nov 2023
  • I enjoyed the film - didn't really expect to! Sounds like the holiday was good - and I am always sent to the manual glaring counter, Mr AL reckons I must look deeply suspicious.
    Autumnleaves
    11:08am, 10th Nov 2023
  • Ooh, fictional Blogs. It's a yes from me.

    I'll have to dig out my blurb on the Mars Ultra I set up in 2013.
    "A great race, just lacking in atmosphere"
    Chicken 🐔 Legs
    11:09am, 10th Nov 2023
  • Did your child see the rainbow though [@user 137]
    Bob!
    11:37am, 10th Nov 2023
  • I'd hope, that mostly, we can spot fictional embellishment, or exagerration for effect in blogs. But I've told you that a million times already.
    Did you get to see the underwater sculptures?

    And did you both get time to wind down and enjoy the break?
    um
    11:42am, 10th Nov 2023
  • I don't think we need the fictional blog option. I like the extracts from Orwell.
    Diogenes
    11:47am, 10th Nov 2023
  • I don't think he did Bob. The caldera goes up over the cloud level
    McGoohan
    11:47am, 10th Nov 2023
  • I had a print out of George Orwell's rules for writing attached to my desk when I worked in an office. He was very prescient about a LOT of things. Hope you had a fab break.
    TheScribbler
    11:52am, 10th Nov 2023
  • Welcome back. Don't think you missed anything while you were away...
    GordonG
    12:16pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • The Martian, Andy Weir is a great read. Some different detail to the film, but actually movie was pretty faithful. I love both. Glad you had a good hols. Love a good read, me! :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    12:18pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Gordon's right. It was really quiet here.
    McGoohan
    12:26pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Oooh, yes, I could tick my entire blog as fiction and then I wouldn't have to worry about the people in it being identified in real life :)
    (I don't think it's necessary, liars gonna lie and a tick box won't stop them, I know this from having observed data collection in the NHS.)
    Velociraptor
    12:36pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Yeah, I wouldn’t bother with a tick box. Let’s move on…
    cathrobinson
    12:53pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Re; Orwell's third rule - broken in itself, as he could simply have stated "Be concise" :-)
    Sigh
    12:59pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Barbarous, Sigh.
    fetcheveryone
    1:02pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • :-)
    Sigh
    1:16pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • I agree with cath on the tick box. That Alan Partridge book is going on my Christmas list.
    BaronessBL
    2:42pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Liars gonna lie regardless. And will probably get an extra little thrill from NOT ticking the tick box.
    RooA
    3:03pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • I like the sound of the Weir books.
    LindsD
    3:45pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • "manual glaring counter" - love it. And Orwell's prescience. Glad you found a rainbow, and welcome back (also a no to the tick box()
    Helegant
    4:29pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Welcome back - I bloody love Orwell on writing. Should be mandatory for civil servants.
    Iron_Mum
    5:41pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Glad you enjoyed the week away. Did something happen while you weren't here? ;-)

    I would hope that my way of writing tales/stories makes it blatantly obvious they are fictitious.
    Flatlander
    7:46pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Still my favourite book I’ve read this year. Glad you’ve had a great time and managed to do some reading
    runnerbean
    8:20pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • I saw Miles Jupp do a one man show at the Edinburgh Fringe. He was very funny. I’ll have to have a look for his book.
    HowFar?
    8:41pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Not read The Martian yet but know it has a great first line
    Night-owl
    10:45pm, 10th Nov 2023
  • Welcome home, I’m flying back today
    SooWoo
    9:31am, 11th Nov 2023
  • Fibber is pretty good, nice middle class boy. I have never understood AP, he just looks like a straightforward BBC Z celeb presenter, but then again, I don't much past Uni Challenge.
    Ocelot Spleens
    4:54pm, 11th Nov 2023


Swimming in a metaphor

12:27pm, 6 Nov 2023
Yesterday, on a recommendation from Silvershadow we went on a bit of a pilgrimage to Playa Papagayo. It’s a five mile walk - the first three of which are along the promenade that stretches all the way from the southwest tip of the island. After that, there’s a scramble up a rocky incline, and then two more miles across volcanic dust paths, up and down various headlands and gritty sand beaches.

Eventually, the cafe at the top of the beach comes into view. There’s a car park which is very busy, but no hotels for miles - so it feels like a more authentic and unspoiled experience. I had made the call to leave my phone back in the room, but Katie took this lovely photo:



The layout reminds me of Barafundle, although if I remember right, the path down comes from the other side. A restorative Coke at the cafe, and we picked our way down to the sand. We’d walked in swimming gear, so we wasted no further time getting in.

The water was refreshing and clear, and in between swimming a few widths of the bay, we stopped to look at the colourful fish. There was one lovely shoal of entertaining tiddlers that made wonderful patterns in the water as they mimicked each other.

And then at some point, I felt a little prickle in my right forearm. It wouldn’t go away, so I got out of the water. I think it was probably a little jellyfish that took exception to me. I have never had a sting before - it felt like nettles but quite a bit more intense, and lasted a fair bit longer. One stinging fish amongst thousands of wonderful ones. But I will more than forgive the jellyfish - it was just being itself.

I’ll put a pic of my arm behind a spoiler tag in case you don’t want to see anything. It doesn’t look too bad:





Within about 30-40 minutes I’d forgotten all about it (and it’s totally fine now), and we wandered back across the volcanic paths, never quite sure whether we were taking the same one. It’s very understandable how people get lost in deserts. Or desserts. Our legs were a bit tired when we got back to the hotel, so we had a relaxing rest-of-day reading and faffing about.



In that other story… I blocked the account yesterday, along with a second more-recently set up one (which, for reassurance, appears to have been set up only to view what has been said, with no sign of attempted interaction). For good measure I’ve blocked his IP address and will be monitoring newly-created accounts as closely as I can. I cannot now see any sort of rehabilitation or acceptance happening within our community. As per my previous blog, I’ve suggested he seeks professional help.



Today we are having an easy day, although I haven’t ruled out a little run just before dinner when the sun has chilled out a bit. I am onto my third book :-)
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Enjoy the rest of your holiday. We'll look after things here.
    Diogenes
    12:31pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • A nice leg stretcher is along the coastal path to the lighthouse and back, whether running or walking. I'm not jealous. And thank you for sorting out the imposter. #fetchfam
    minardi
    12:32pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • It's too easy to get lost in desserts :) The landscape looks lunar but that sea looks so inviting.
    Thank you for blocking FR's account and the replacement one - that he set it up says volumes I think.
    Keep enjoying your holiday with Katie x
    GimmeMedals
    12:37pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • I've stayed at the Sandos Papagayo a few times, loved my sunrise runs along those paths across the headland there.
    Bob!
    12:42pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • I’m going to Lanzarote next week. First holiday for 4 years and I’m sure my anxiety will be through the roof just beforehand. But I’ll think of brave Katie scrambling over the rocks and I’ll go and I’ll be fine. Thank you for all you do xx
    jennywren
    12:46pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • The beach looks lovely and I'm envious of your swim. Glad the sting was OK. And thanks for the other stuff xx
    LindsD
    1:01pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Awesome. Lost in a dessert. If only…..
    Angus Clydesdale
    1:09pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • A three book holiday sounds grand! Glad the sting wasn't too bad. Thanks for everything you do to make this such a safe space.
    Autumnleaves
    1:12pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Looks lovely - just watch out for the stingers!
    Pothunter
    1:13pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Did you wee on it? ;-)
    cathrobinson
    1:15pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Nice pic. The beach, not your arm :-O
    We predicted "what happened next". Thank you for dealing with it.
    Velociraptor
    1:22pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • I’m confused, wee on the sting or the jellyfish?
    Winniefree
    1:30pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Glad your arm is ok. Sounds like a grand day out.
    Jaks
    1:49pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Wow, looks lovely. I am trying to convince MrsS(rrr) that we should have a week's winter sun, but have never been to Canaries - might have to tap you up for recommendation of which island and any recommended location. Have a wonderful rest of hols, thanks for sharing this enticing pic and stories of fish (I love snorkelling) and hope you can have a great break. Thanks for dealing with that *stuff*! :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    1:51pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Glad you're getting some proper holiday!
    I've only ever driven about 100 yds down that sandy track and thought better of it and reversed back out. Although all the guide books recommend the beach.
    um
    2:01pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Papagaya is absolutely lovely, one of my favourite places to swim. Lots of good trail running in the hills around there, if you would like some ideas please say.
    Northern Exile
    2:08pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • p.s. unfortunately jellyfish stings are very common thereabouts :-(
    Northern Exile
    2:09pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Ooh how lovely Playa Papagayo looks.
    DIY Diva
    2:48pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • I’m waving over at you from Corralejo in Fuerteventura😎
    SooWoo
    2:55pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • It’s a clear day! I see you!
    fetcheveryone
    2:58pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Never wee *on* a jellyfish. They're a protected species. (Probably. I haven't checked.)
    McGoohan
    3:10pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • I love El Golfo just up the west coast. Not great for swimming but amazing to see the waves coming in from the Altlantic. We're looking forward to being in Lanzarote on Friday, going a bit earlier this year and missing the International Running Challenge but catching up with some of the runners who will already be there. Have fun - it's a fantastic place to be this time of year.
    B Rubble
    3:47pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • That looks perfect for a swim

    (I still haven’t forgiven the jellyfish that left a scar on my leg for years after I reacted quite badly to its sting)
    Rosehip
    3:55pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • It looks a super place to swim. All is good x
    Alice the Camel
    4:07pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • I was waiting for the bit in your blog where you had to decide who or how you were going to have to wee on your arm 🤣🤣🤣
    phal
    4:29pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Looks amazing. Rest up and carry on reading.
    runnerbean
    4:51pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Mr Ness and I stayed in a hotel fairly close to Playa Papagayo some years ago and it was lovely! Perfect for swimming during the day and a brilliant location for stargazing at night.
    Ness
    5:20pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Glad you enjoyed the hike and the swim. Sorry about the jelly
    Silvershadow
    5:29pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • This is where I say we usually stop at the first beach 😀 But we did go to the cafe on our first visit.
    Nightjar
    6:26pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for your cyber vigilance, glad it hasn't put you off your reading stride!
    I got stung by a jellyfish when I was about 10, just where the Mountains of Mourne roll down to the sea. (That is a geographic description, I not an anatomical euphemism, to be clear.) I still haven't forgiven it. I wasn't helped by having seen Jaws just before that and being fairly sure I was being eaten alive.
    Heinzster
    7:36pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Lovely view of the beach :-)
    Seratonin
    8:16pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • That looks a wonderful place to swim. Enjoy :)
    .B.
    8:57pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Looks a lovely beach. Glad the arm was OK - hope it wasn't your account deleting arm that got hurt ;-)
    BaronessBL
    10:13pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for what you do. I hope the holiday is restorative for you both in every way possible.
    TeeBee
    11:12am, 7th Nov 2023
  • Sounds like a lovely walk and swim, apart from the cheeky jellyfish!
    cackleberry
    11:21am, 7th Nov 2023


Hello

8:24am, 5 Nov 2023
Those of you who read the blogs regularly will probably have heard about a difficult situation that came to a head recently. And some of you who maybe only tune into my blog for site updates might be wondering where the heck this is going. Basically, it turned out that someone who has used this site for nearly two decades has written regular blogs that falsified their life story. I can see that it has upset and angered a lot of people.

Yesterday, my lovely beautiful Katie shared a blog about how she's been struggling with anxiety. There were some common themes in the comments.

Firstly, there was nothing but support. To me this shows what this community is all about, and why it hurt people so much to realise that they had been giving this support wholeheartedly to someone who was not being truthful. It's upset me to see the hurt it's caused. I had doubts about the blog, and even took it up with the author a few years ago. I was given an explanation for the discrepancies that I accepted on trust. I am not sure whether I could have done more at that point, and apologise to anyone who thinks I should have done so.

And secondly, Katie was rightly praised for the strength it took to share that part of her life, and lots of people said that we need to talk about our mental health more. And there is a *chance* that the unfortunate things we've seen here are the other side of that coin. I was contacted by the author of the blog (who said I could share this information if I wished). They suggested to me that due to the traumas they'd been through, compiling this version of their life felt better. A safe place if you like. And eventually it was a case of having gone too far to back out. In the circumstances, I honestly don't know whether this is a truthful account, or another mask. But it at least gives another explanation to think about, one that might help shift the balance away from ideas of deception.

I am not asking anyone to forgive what has happened. I pointed out in my response to the author that there are many examples on FE of people who have shared the difficulties they have faced in their lives, and in nearly 20 years, I have seen nothing but support and kindness given by readers. And how sad it was that had the person felt able to share some of their own difficulties, they might have found the support and encouragement needed in a more straightforward way. I have urged them to seek professional help.

Thank you to everyone, for the support you have given me and Katie and each other over the years. The last couple of days hurt that, I know. But I hope you will continue to be the same wonderful force for good that you have always been.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Timely blog Ian, thank you. I also read Katie's blog and was immediately concerned, I do hope that the load lightens for her.
    Northern Exile
    8:30am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you. (And Katie!)
    Now go and enjoy your holiday, please. 😎
    3M
    8:31am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thanks Fetch. Hope everyone reads this - I’m sure they will. Try and enjoy what’s left of your holiday. And everyone should take heart from your final thought (and the whole blog, to be honest) xx
    Sharkie
    8:31am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you. Sorry things always get tricky on the site when you are on holiday. Well said xx
    LindsD
    8:35am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you Fetch. I hope this hasn’t had too big a negative impact on your holiday, please try and enjoy the rest of it xx
    jennywren
    8:36am, 5th Nov 2023
  • I’m still not 100% sure that I’ve pieced the bits together properly and come to the correct conclusion about what’s gone on. I’ve been called naive before and this is another example of things going over my head!
    I hope you and Katie enjoy the rest of your holiday and come home feeling recharged.
    Alice the Camel
    8:39am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Have a great holiday. hope you both feel loads better for it
    leaguefreak
    8:40am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Tough situation Fetch. I think you've dealt with it as well as you could. Try to switch off and enjoy your hols. Both of you. X :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    8:45am, 5th Nov 2023
  • That you deal with these situations so compassionately is one of the reasons why this site operates as a real and effective community. Thank you for your leadership.
    TeeBee
    8:57am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you, Fetch. This site is an amazing place and the love and support people have for each other; the friendships, relationships and community that it has built and fosters far outweigh anything else. The fetchiverse mirrors life in that sometimes there are characters who push that trust of others for reasons we may never know. That’s why so many have felt bruised. It’s an exceedingly rare thing on here for this to happen. You and Katie are wonderful folk and the time and love you give to others is huge. Thank you xxx Biggest hugs to you both.
    phal
    9:05am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you Ian, hugs to both of you. Now go and do something completely different and enjoy a proper break.
    Helegant
    9:08am, 5th Nov 2023
  • heart Thank you Ian & Katie.
    Mrs Jigs (Luverlylegs)
    9:08am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for dealing with a difficult decision so well. Like you, I hope that the blogger seeks professional help to work through their traumas and be able to move on. But now it's time for 'feet up and chill out' for both you and Katie 🏊‍♀️🌞🏖x
    stilldreaming
    9:08am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you. xx
    Bintmcskint
    9:18am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for all you do - in particular dealing with the blogger situation when you have had a lot going on and you're also on holiday. I hope you and Katie can relax and enjoy the rest of your holiday. I also hope the blogger can find help and support - as you say, the community you have built here is one of the best for that.
    BaronessBL
    9:20am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you. Hope you can enjoy the rest of your holiday.
    Ness
    9:20am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thanks Ian. For waht sounds a very caring and professional way to deal with the situation. Without knowing too much, I suspect empathy rather than outrage may be needed.

    But sorry this cropped up on your time out. Please go and run some coast paths, and shake hands with those underwater sculptures. And give Katie a lot of your time.
    um
    9:20am, 5th Nov 2023
  • (*)
    Mark J 🇳🇿
    9:21am, 5th Nov 2023
  • I think you and Katie are amazing people, and much kinder than I am. I couldn’t do what you do with this site, and I don’t mean the tech side (although I couldn’t do that either!). You seem to have a real affinity with people and are so very good at seeing the best in them. I hope you carry on as it has been. I also hope you’re reading this on the beach with a Mai Tai in hand, you lucky dog. :) :)
    Angus Clydesdale
    9:23am, 5th Nov 2023
  • This had all gone over my head, though it now makes sense of a blog I now see was in reaction to what had been going on. However, TeeBee has said above exactly what I feel and what I was trying, so inelegantly, to say in response to Katie’s blog yesterday. You both embody everything that is special about the Fetch community. You always handle these situations with such calmness, grace and respect. Thank you
    Cheeky’s Dad
    9:23am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for all you do and hope you are able to enjoy whats left of your holiday xx
    Corrah
    9:25am, 5th Nov 2023
  • He's still rewriting history to paint his behaviour in a better light, make people feel bad about being angry at him, and maybe even trying to cast himself as the real victim, Fetch. Be very wary about engaging. He could have pulled back quietly at lots of points over the years and chose not to. I hope nobody blames you. I was impressed at how professionally you intervened when his "saviour of fallen women" storyline showed no awareness of the reality of adult safeguarding.
    Go and enjoy the rest of your holiday.
    Velociraptor
    9:28am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Another one that’s seems to have missed something

    But I know that I can, from experience, say that this place is home and I 100% love it. The vast majority of fetchies are turely lovely and supportive and that’s thanks to you.

    Hope you and Katie can relax and enjoy the last days of your holiday xx
    EvilPixie
    9:30am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Moderating a site like this is an onerous task, one normally undertaken by a group of people, often heavy-handedly. Your light touch wisdom is remarkably effective and well-judged, aided by the support of the group as a whole. You have nothing to reproach yourself for. Now get back to enjoying your holiday, and love to you both.
    Diogenes
    9:31am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Ian, switch off and enjoy your holiday.

    If it helps anyone to understand what's been happening a little better, there's a link to my blog here: fetcheveryone.com/blog/11778
    Northern Exile
    9:31am, 5th Nov 2023
  • As always, you have handled a difficult and unusual situation with sensitivity, compassion and respect. I hope you and Katie can relax and enjoy your break.
    GimmeMedals
    9:34am, 5th Nov 2023
  • I echo everyone else’s comments. The folk here have always been mostly supportive and compassionate in my experience, and I’m sure we’ll return back to the familiar very soon. Please enjoy the rest of your holiday, and thank you for being you.
    cathrobinson
    9:34am, 5th Nov 2023
  • In my profile I answered 'The all inclusive ethos of the community, lack of trolls or toxic anonymous posters and generally supportive vibe', to What's your favourite thing about Fetchevrryone? Long may it continue
    Derby Tup
    9:38am, 5th Nov 2023
  • You do well, Mr Fetch. Enjoy your holiday.
    RooA
    9:54am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you x
    Love and hugs to you and Katie heart
    northernslowcoach
    10:01am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you and I will unwaveringly continue to support you, Katie and the site .
    UltraDunc
    10:09am, 5th Nov 2023
  • I have no idea what went on and pretty sad that people have been hurt,But Thank you for all you do and enjoy your holiday with Katie.
    Welshpoppy
    10:34am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thanks guv and all the best to Katie.
    GlennR
    10:35am, 5th Nov 2023
  • You'll put up this free website. And that can't be easy, and 99.99% of Fetchies are amazing supportive people, unfortunately there will always be someone who abuses your kindness and luckily it was just a Walter Mitty even though it has caused anger and upset.

    Keep doing what you're doing
    richmac
    10:38am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Nothing to add except thank you - it still feels like a safe and welcoming space and that is down to the extraordinary skill that you have in moderating the output of a large and diverse group of people. I hope you can both enjoy some time out together now.
    Winniefree
    10:48am, 5th Nov 2023
  • I think you’ve done a great job handling a tricky situation. Now I hope you and Katie can enjoy your holiday.
    laterunner
    11:02am, 5th Nov 2023
  • No need to apologise for doing your best.
    Mr. K.
    11:07am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Nothing to add to the wise words above, except to send my love and hope you can enjoy your holiday x
    Rosehip
    11:11am, 5th Nov 2023
  • I have no idea what the blogger situation is about. But I hope you can enjoy your holiday and take care of each other. The best and hardest thing about this website is having real people who really care behind it. Fetch, yourself seem quite phlegmatic (see recent blog about trying to hold back the flood as evidence). But it can’t always be easy. Sending love and appreciation.
    TheScribbler
    11:26am, 5th Nov 2023
  • All the best to both of you. I hope you can enjoy your holiday, even with what has been going on.
    icemaiden
    11:29am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.
    Jaks
    11:30am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thanks Fetch for beautifully walking an impossible tightrope with this.

    Now enjoy your holidays
    stuart little
    11:39am, 5th Nov 2023
  • I think I have worked out who, but not really the what or why. Sorry you had this to deal with
    Bazoaxe
    11:50am, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you - I hope you can both enjoy your holiday now (save some of the sun for us next week!)
    MH
    1:00pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you. But I have no idea what this is all about
    DocM
    1:00pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you and Katie for everything you do x
    mrs shanksi
    1:24pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • heart
    oldbiddy
    2:28pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • You and Katie bring the beef. This chancer can do one.
    Keefy Beefy
    2:45pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Have absolutely no idea what has been going on. But thank you for this site and enjoy your holiday x
    Cotty67
    4:26pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Go and drink lots of beer and enjoy your holiday, you lovely couple x
    minardi
    4:47pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • So you know how I said we'd try to not break the site while you were away...?
    McGoohan
    5:06pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • I haven’t been reading blogs for a while so I didn’t know anything had kicked off, so had no idea what was going on until I read Vraps comment above, at which point I recalled something I read a few years back which did not sit well with me as it seemed like a safeguarding issue. It all makes sense now, wow. How very sad, hard to understand why someone would make this stuff up.

    Katie’s blog was very brave and honest and I hope she is feeling better soon. Have a lovely holiday in lovely Lanzarote.
    Minnie Mad
    5:51pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you Fetch...now go back to your holiday with Katie and relax...and run! :)
    Garfield
    7:20pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for all you do. I can’t add anything to what’s been put so well above. Sending you both my heartfelt wishes and hugs.
    DIY Diva
    8:08pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • I’ve worked out from the comments who this is about. Very close geographically to me if that side of it was truthful.

    Don’t let it spoil you well deserved holiday, there’s nowt so queer as folk x
    Pikelet
    9:58pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Look after yourselves Fetch and Katie and have a lovely holiday - you both deserve it.
    CK2
    10:14pm, 5th Nov 2023
  • Enjoy the holibobs! (yes I said holibobs!)
    Totriornottotri
    6:04am, 6th Nov 2023
  • Thankyou for the wisdom and balance that you express in this blog, and more generally, in creating a corner of the internet that is overwhelmingly a positive place.
    Canute
    11:52am, 6th Nov 2023
  • So i'm reasonably new here and as such this whole thing affects me far, far less than it might others. I'm aware of that, but the nosey side of me is desperate to know all the details! Seems you've handled it well though Mr Ian.
    ptr_runner
    1:27pm, 6th Nov 2023
  • Thank you for making fetcheveryone be the wonderful place it is. I'm so sorry that you had this situation to deal with, but glad you were able to do so.
    I hope that the rest of your holiday is enjoyable and wonderful and relaxing and fun!
    Jenelopy
    1:30am, 7th Nov 2023


Off World

6:55am, 3 Nov 2023
Back in May, we booked two flights to India. These in turn were to make up for 'the holiday we never had', when our trip to Egypt got cancelled because of the pandemic in 2020. Our plan was to fly to Mumbai, spend one or two days there, then get a train down the coast to Goa, spend the rest of the time around there, and then fly back. Not quite the same level of endeavour as my grandparents, but definitely inspired by their adventure. Then the car chewed its own engine up in July, and we had to spend so much money on getting the engine repaired that we decided to cancel the India holiday.

Luckily we managed to get a full refund on our flights (because in fact, Air India cancelled the return flight for unknown reasons). After staring at the money for a few months, and wondering whether the car would end up eating that as well, we decided we needed to get away, for sanity's sake. It has been a challenging year - and this was before the house flooded. And so, for about the same price we'd paid for the flights, we've got ourselves a week-long TUI break in Lanzarote.

After a slightly fraught time navigating the drive-up to Luton Airport (it's chaos what with their multi-storey car park being out of action), and a 90 minute delay taking off, we arrived at our hotel at about 5pm yesterday afternoon. It was surprising how warm it is. We are familiar with July and August temperatures here, but were expecting 'pleasantly warm' at most. As it was, we were glad to get to our apartment and put on lighter clothing.

Not that we'll get anywhere near our limits, but it's an 'all you can drink' holiday. It was very nice to take our reusable glasses to the little pump near our apartment, fill up with some foamy 'Tropical' lager, and wander down to the little beach. I stood up to my knees in cool, clear water (about as high as the flood water, which was not lost on me). Katie did the same. We saw various snorkellers and swimmers in the little harboured-off bit of sea (I will share pics soon), so we're looking forward to trying it out. Katie saw a fish jump clean out of the water. Wearily, we wandered a little more, before returning via the Tropical pump to sit and watch the sunset before dinner.



Today, Katie is hoping to visit the Museo Atlántico Lanzarote. Stick that in to Google and have a look at some of the sculptures - it looks amazing. And I am going to enjoy a run along the coastal path and do some people-watching. And then I expect we will sit around for a while and let a bit more of the steam rise off us.
Click here to suggest fetcheveryone's blog for today's highlights.

Comments

  • Enjoy a well-deserved hol. We'll try not to break the site while you're away.
    McGoohan
    7:02am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • We love Playa Blanca. Have a lovely relaxing time
    minardi
    7:09am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a lovely time.
    Fragile Do Not Bend
    7:51am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a well-deserved and enjoyable break!
    ♪♫ Synge ♪♫
    7:55am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • I hope that you both have a great time and return feeling refreshed.
    Eynsham Red
    7:58am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • It’ll be amazing. Chill, Run , drink .. sorted.
    runnerbean
    7:59am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy the break - and the warmth. Will you be diving as well?
    um
    8:07am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Hope your break helps to rejuvenate you both.
    Solo
    8:07am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • If anyone deserves a good break it's you. Have a restorative week.
    LazyDaisy
    8:09am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy your holiday!
    Ness
    8:14am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Oh great! Hope you have a lovely time in R&R!
    3M
    8:20am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Excellent, sounds fab, hope you both have a great time
    lammo
    8:20am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Yay for having a holiday. Have fun.
    GetOutTheDoor
    8:24am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Just what you both needed ♥️
    Pikelet
    8:52am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a wonderful relaxing holiday.
    Jaks
    8:58am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • I hope enough steam rises off you that you're able to enjoy a nice relaxing holiday.
    Fenland Flier
    9:00am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a wonderful time xx
    SarahWoo
    9:04am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a great break. You guys deserve it. :-) G
    HappyG(rrr)
    9:09am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a lovely time re-charging your batteries. :)
    alpenrose
    9:20am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • I have envy. Me and MrsC have promised ourselves that next year is going to be more about us. Pre-Winter vitamin D top-up sounds good.
    Angus Clydesdale
    9:21am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy your holiday. That warm weather sounds lovely.
    laterunner
    9:27am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Happy holiday B-)
    Velociraptor
    9:31am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy your break. Definitely deserved!
    Snail
    9:34am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a smashing time!
    Sigh
    9:38am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a great holiday, you definitely deserve it
    Diogenes
    9:45am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Lovely
    D2
    10:16am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy
    jennywren
    10:25am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a fabulous time B-) 🍻
    Dvorak
    10:31am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • A holiday when you 'need' it is a great choice. I hope you both find it relaxing and refreshing.
    Helegant
    10:38am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Tropical lager sounds... interesting. Enjoy :)
    fleecy
    11:50am, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy 😀
    Stevewjj
    12:18pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Oh, you to so deserve to have a wondeful relaxing holiday. Have the perfect time heart
    Rosehip
    1:06pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Hope you have a great break x
    Winniefree
    2:05pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy! You've earned it. 🏆
    JCB
    2:22pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy you run in the sun!
    Bex66
    3:11pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a wonderful time x
    Autumnleaves
    5:09pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Great news have a lovely break.
    Looby Loo
    5:35pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • All you can drink 😀 Hopefully includes spirits and cocktails but dont expect branded spirits.
    Nightjar
    6:34pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Sounds perfect. Enjoy. Xx
    phal
    6:59pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • It most definitely does :-)
    fetcheveryone
    7:20pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • I completely missed your blog about all the flood stuff, which I have now just read. What a horrible thing to happen. Have a fabulous holiday
    BaronessBL
    7:26pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy your time out x
    northernslowcoach
    8:38pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have an absolutely wonderful time xxx
    LindsD
    9:27pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Enjoy!
    Pothunter
    11:17pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • Have a wonderful time :)
    .B.
    11:25pm, 3rd Nov 2023
  • You both so deserve this. Have a wonderful time xx
    Corrah
    6:04am, 4th Nov 2023
  • Defo have a lovely holiday and enjoy the well deserved rest
    Cheeky’s Dad
    10:15am, 4th Nov 2023

  • ishep 🇪🇺
    10:17am, 4th Nov 2023
  • Hope you have a lovely, relaxing break.
    cathrobinson
    10:25am, 4th Nov 2023
  • Great place to stay and for running - I have a couple of nice runs/walks saved that are worth looking at.
    Chrisity
    12:27pm, 4th Nov 2023
  • Rest and enjoy.
    poppyH
    1:40pm, 4th Nov 2023
  • Sounds great, hope you both enjoy it!
    Gooner
    4:14pm, 4th Nov 2023
  • Enjoy 😁
    Mandymoo
    1:46pm, 5th Nov 2023


About Me

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

Blog Archive


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2024 (43)
April (13)
In case you haven't cancelled it yet...
Weasels and spiders
Blog Listings Change (nowt major)
Six New Badges! Adding pics to Conquercise zones.
Night Races - Can you help?
Sifting Chunks: Gradient versus Pace
Audible Free Trial - You get free audiobooks, I get five quid!
A donation from JH
Andy Townsend :-)
GCU50: Citizen on Patrol
Fetchpoint: The Game - Where I'm Headed
Fetchpoint: The Game - a consultation
Heavy Roller please
March (11)
I can eat fifty eggs
Oscar the Grouch :-(
If a Fetch fails in a forest...
Trialling a new weekly update email
Lasting Power of Suspicion
Fetch Virtual Challenge 2024 *bunting*
Swittle's Funeral
Cadence
Tea & Trails Podcast
Down to my last pen
A bench for swittle
February (8)
The Lightning Struck Tower
Swittle
Cholesterol
This year so far in pictures
Three Noahs
Fetch is as strong as you make it.
100k - what do I need?
Paywalls are BS: I'm on a podcast!
January (11)
Chasing Round Numbers - A Cautionary Tale!
MOTM - Decision Made (and a competition for EVERYONE!)
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Training Home Page updates
How much walking will I do?
Training Plans - Further Updates
Training Plan List
Butter Police
Why no app?
Useful Chat!
Festive Fetch Calendar - Winners
2023 (136)
December (6)
Nearly forgot...
Jam today
Removing another bit of Google's invasiveness
Fancy an extra challenge over the next 12 days?
Chewie, we're home!
Two tips for today's advent challenge
November (13)
Spammy McSpamface
40 days and 40 nights
EfM confirmed!
New Training Log Beta! 😲 (aka Change Is Not Good)
Escape from Meriden
Waiting for your training?
Route of the Century?
I didn't know I owned a nutcracker
Design our anniversary shirts/vests!
Holiday Reading - plenty of fiction :-)
Swimming in a metaphor
Hello
Off World
October (11)
Fl'update
To think I tried to mop it up!
Vote Please: How many F'Laps will you try to do?
F'Laps 2024
Long Run
So it still needs a name...
Front Garden Ultra?
The Boy is a man!
Festive Fetch Calendar
Creative K's
Signs
September (7)
Training Edit Screen - time to ditch it...
Stock check
The Doctor K Cup - October 7th!!!!
Removing the training edit screen
A Happy Applecart
Happy 19th Birthday!
Forgotten pictures
August (14)
Just in case
Weekly Total Hours
Dim Brys Dim Chwys
All hail our robot overlords!
Your local parkrun
Fool on the hill
Survey Follow Up
A survey?
Did you know?
I made a thing
VC Day
FBI Agent
What keeps you going?
Be careful what's in your paste buffer (and July training update)
July (13)
Delight
Respecting your eyeballs since 2004
Hot Stuff, coming through
Ocean Colour Scheme
18 years, 10 months, 13 days and counting...
Ooof #fail
Our listings need you!
Pics from the end of the swim
A whispered, half-remembered dream
Try the Heatmap!!!
Teaser
100 Running Words (and my June summary)
July Virtual Mile
June (8)
Last Big Swim
I can't be the only one...
Which is the real me?
#EveryoneDay
The legendary sixth samosa!
WSW Main Page Layout Changes
May Summary (contains swimming!)
Hoodies pre-order closes at 10am
May (17)
A new WSW challenge
Tagging images
Hoooooooooooooodies!!!!!!!!!!!
Another Sweatshop Competition
Did you get an email?
Fifty Years Ago - Part VIII
Fifty Years Ago - Part VII
Fifty Years Ago - Part VI
Help on a slippery slope
Fifty Years Ago - Part V
Fifty Years Ago - Part IV
Fifty Years Ago - Part III
Chuck-off: Round 2
Not my king?
Fifty Years Ago - Part II
Fifty Years Ago
And that was April
April (10)
Centurion Safari!
Sheep treats (and a routes feature)
And I’ll sail her up the west coast, through villages and towns.
15,746 places to 💩
Track Your Blood Pressure
A couple of quick fmail updates
Rusty Metal and a Cycling Grudge Match
Please help me kick the fmail tyres!
Onset of Summer Watch. Have you got Onset of Summer? +fmail!
Premium?
March (10)
And that was March
Try the new fmail system
Can you help my boy?
Tell A Friend?
Some Sweatshop Competitions
Sign up to our 2023 Virtual Challenge
Review: FORM Smart Goggles
UTMOST vs Treadmills
33,258
Embranglement!
February (13)
And that was February
This year's Virtual Challenge
What does Points make?
Automatic Everything Collector
Peaky Finders
FAO Fitbit users
My favourite training graph
You've got this.
Coffee Survey (for my stepson)
Access all the tips
Tiny Usability Changes
Cod science
Hot Tips
January (14)
Monthly Infographic Bug Fixes
No, but really...
Have a play with the monthly infographic
It's not ready yet, but...
Introducing Fetch Premium
Help me design a new Monthly Infographic...
Still following?
Fettle
Definitely Not Betting
Do you follow? (plus burp chat)
Advance warning for stalkers!
I'm back (and the Fetch LS, SS and NS shirts preorder is open)
Attention Fitbit Users
Review 50 albums in 2023 (badge!)
2022 (144)
December (8)
Treasure Hunt Day 1 - the best gift
Important updates to the Fetch Relay
Introducing the Fetch Relay 2023
Who Am I? (Solved, thanks) And How Am I?
Confessions :-)
12 Days of Christmas Treasure Hunt
Chewie, we’re home!
A few pics from the Foffice :-)
November (24)
Yesvember - Day #30 (and Festive Fetch Calendar Eve!)
The Fetch Festive 160.934 :-) [Yesvember #Day 29]
You'd better watch out... (plus Yesvember Day #28)
Brace Yourself (and there's one spare bobble hat!) and Yesvember - Day #26
Hats in the post! Plus Yesvember Day #25
Look what arrived!
Yesvember - Day #24
Training Graph Manager - usability update (Yesvember Day #23)
Yesvember - Day #22 - Cheating?
Last chance to enter the Advance Performance comp
Yesvember - Days #11 thru #14 (plus Jumpy Boy)
Weather on the training home page watch. Have you got weather on the training home page? (Yesvember - Day #10)
Oh, and... it's Yesvember - Day #9
Another bit of the internet fenced off
Yesvember - Day #8 - taking steps
Yesvember - Day #7
Yesvember - Day #6
Yesvember - Day #5
The curse of swimming GPS
Yesvember - Day #4
The Les Mis effect
Yesvember - Day #3
Yesvember - Day #2
Yesvember - Day #1
October (15)
October gives way to Yesvember!
Anyone fancy a threeway?
More thoughts on races
Racing, post-pandemic
Contracts exchanged!
Competition Time!
Last call for Flobble Hats
A record year for swimming?
Woburn Lido
Order your Bobble Hat! If you like.
I appear to have entered a race! (plus new Garmin import queueing system)
Eric the Eel
Get your hobbit on
The Doctor K Cup: Saturday 8th October!
I felt the touch of the kings and the breath of the wind
September (16)
Take This Bus To Cuba
Fetch Bobble Hats
Trumpeting
Training View tweaks (switch maps, game overlays, mile markers)
Training View tweaks (and a play button bug fix)
A long ride and a cold swim.
Play Button
UTMOST Wava & Bike Division Rebuilds
New UTMOST leagues for cyclists and WAVA fans
The Doctor K Cup
Chance encounters
Do I ditch our Facebook stuff?
A keeper, from my feedback inbox...
Ultra distances - update
Adding ultra distances to Fastest Fetchies league.
Try the new Training Groups pages
August (11)
Training Groups Update - Coming Soon
Garmin Queue Issues
Donations without reference numbers :-)
New Elbow Laws
No longer the 3398th fastest Fetchie over 10k!
Pulling counties into league tables
What was I thinking?
County Champion?
Just bear in mind that you asked for this.
Wahoo and Coros users
How to make half a million quid (batteries not included)
July (6)
Club Listings
Book giveaway :-)
Updated Race Portfolio
Updated Targets Page
Exactly ***1*** Spare Ladies L Cycling Jersey
Search All Blogs :-)
June (10)
Imagine you could search all the public blogs...
Banking Scandal at Fetch Towers!
7pm on Baker Island #everyoneday
#EveryoneDay - Sunday 26th June 2022
Spare Challenge Coasters
The North West Passage
Feature Request Voting - Know Your Limits!
UTMOST Division 8: YIKES!
Shepperton Weight Gain Programme
UTMOST Division 9! Sub-50 10k :-)
May (16)
Four hours left :-)
Division 10: No hope of escape?
Book giveaway :-)
Division 11: No place left to hide
New HR Analysis
They're here! Well, not exactly *here*, but...
A quick Darth Mode update
Darth Mode! And a few biscuits for the hyperdrive.
Division 12: Two hours of pushing broom
Dark Mode: Beta
PB Potential? Fancy a quickie? ;-)
Division 12: Running Out Of Road?
Thank you everyone!
Making UTMOST moves :-)
Do you want a Fetch shirt?
I did my UTMOST :-) (plus new sharing infographic)
April (7)
Today's plan
NEW UTMOST BADGES!!!!!
A plug for some races
Raspberry Pavlov
Win a book :-)
United Colours of Cross Training
A little Streetview adventure
March (11)
The lockers are a pound.
Advice for Gym Noobs!
Feedback made easier
#EveryoneDay June 26th 2022
Fetch Virtual Challenge 2022 🎈
Thanks Chunky: parkrun routes!
Sniffer Dogs
Yikes!
Fetch Cycling Jerseys - Update
Route Plotting tweak
The Crow: A Pipedream!
February (7)
Fetch Kit Spares
Updated Race Listing Pages
Introducing Rundle!
I appear to be training for an OWS event!
Fetch Cycling Jerseys!!!
Does you wantz free shoez?
Post Office tomorrow - kit spares
January (13)
Updated Flanci Design (now with more Fetchness)
Badge Collection Graphic!
Updated elevation trace
Book Lists :-)
Updated sharing infographic - do you like it?
Spare Fetch Kit
Badge page refresh / feature requests
Flanci / Fetch Leggings
New Badge Pages
New hill badges
Join me on my fitness journey!
Are you the farmer?
Blog every day challenge - finishers
2021 (187)
December (14)
Book List
Ten years ago today...
A big slobbery elephant snog.
If you don't like hills, this must be getting tiring :-)
When does a hill end?
Hill finder - prototype v2
Hill Finder - prototype
2022 Targets
Chewie, We’re Home! Happy Fetch Independence Day!
Embed badges, plus a new badge :-)
Updated people page
Seeking map
Streak Watch
The new Fetch buffs are here…
November (23)
Almost there...
The Fetch Library
Update your thread titles
Ascent dissent
Mute a thread
Shortcuts
Training Import Queue
I fell off (but not really!)
Croeso i Fetcheveryone. Ydych chi'n siarad Almaeneg, Swedish neu Eidaleg?
New mobile nav
Last call for shirts
@
Just a trim please
Brought to you by wind power
300 miles later
Golden Ticket Shocker!
Banjobax (aka KOG)
Home and Away kit preorder - with long sleeve option
A little competition - win a copy of Daniels' Running Formula
Garmin testers - thanks
Add your grub stops!
Points Of Interest: Grub Stops
Garmin-owning testers wanted
October (19)
New home and away shirts and vests
Benchmark league - a few more updates
Benchmark league table
Hill areas
Preorder is now open!
'b'uffs then
Necktube design #1 & #2
Buffs (well, neck tubes)
Report dodgy GPS stuff
An apology for people who follow my training
New cycling and swimming badges
New Conquercise Feature: Grids
Sprouting a tiny biking antler :-)
Have a try of the cycling gradient analysis
Struggling with my big ring
Cycling: gradient vs pace
A question for cyclists
For Doctor K
Shan't.
September (14)
New comments (FID 1212)
Forum post previews
Garmin imports with a snippet more info
Gallery upload options
Golden Tickets
"No need to panic donate", says Williams
Forum Quotes
Spoiler Alert!
20th of March and all that.
Have you signed up yet?
This bit of crappy Upminister nearly cost me my f***ing life.
A guide with no pages
To steal a catchphrase from a wise lady...
Multiple choice polls
August (11)
Pre-Race Training - Updated
A connection!
New Member of the Month sponsor
Best Weeks - bug fixes
Your Best Week Ever
Rainbow Kit - preorder is open
Age Bests - filtering out the mistakes :-)
Sign up, sign up, for the Doctor K cup
A message from my lovely wife ❤️
Another batch of rainbow kit?
Spares: Event Clips, Swim Hats and a few rainbow tops
July (10)
A bunch of site goodies :-)
Hello kitty
Holy Simmering Mercury Batman!
Settings
A heart rate question
Sleepy Shuffle?
365 graph
Slipping on ma noob shoes
Meatronomes
World's Sexiest Bridges
June (11)
Benchmarks - a *tiny* little improvement
Race Leaderboards - some small improvements
Race Finder - Update
Up there ^
Routes - more updates
Last call for FE Event Clips
Server update
Minor code problem
Some little updates to your route list
Feature requests - two years on!
More than just a rainbow
May (8)
Rainbow Kit - update on delivery time...
Fetch Ron Hill Cycling Jerseys
Pre-order your rainbow kit now :-)
Jimi Hendrix vs Run DMC
The return of parkrun - a poll
Something in the woodshed...
Default to walk
A tour of the Fetch Office
April (11)
Instabanned :-)
I has Instagram
Fetch Event Clips
FERC
Castle Challenge Coaster!
My chess rating
Jab - symptom watch
This just in...
REVIEW: XMiles selection box
Let FE pay for your coaching qualifications :-)
Castle Challenge - A Quick Blog
March (18)
The Fetcheveryone Castle Challenge
Running vs Cycling Cadence
Fetch vests and shirts (and swim caps)
Elevation vs Follow Roads
£500 of England Athletics courses up for grabs!
TomTom users
Music by year: 1993
10k Analysis: Part 7 - Length of Training Runs
Music by year: 1992 (plus some 1991 additions)
Bot sniffing win :-) plus daily blogger count!
User profiles
10k Analysis: Part 6 - Training Pace Again
Time to update your injuries :-)
User profile - sticker button.. EDIT and race standard
More user profile adjustments
User Profile tweaking
Cute story of the week*
10k Analysis: Part 5 - Training Pace
February (17)
Year on Year mileage comparison
Elevation graphs
It's all kicking off in chess club!
Music By year: 1991
10k Analysis: Part 4 - Weekly Training Habits
Tagging virtual races
Chasing rainbows
Rainbow Shirts
Lance!
Blog writing improvements
10k Analysis: Part 3 - Accuracy of human predictions
Music by year: 1990
Smacking bots
29 slices - my seven days of dinner
10k Analysis: Part 2 - Age and Performance
Pass it on
10k Analysis: Part 1 - Distribution of best 10k times
January (31)
January
Mobile Usability Team Helping All Fetchies...
Salmon Ramen Recipe :-)
Salmon Ramen (for TBR)
Backup dog
The best GPS watches in the world... volume 1
Pick it...
People who liked...
Obscure bugs
Zen & The Art of Heart Rate Training
FIT file import - temporary issue
Keep the change, ya filthy animal
The honeymoon is over
Dirty data
Mobile Usability
Oops
Readership!
Stay sticky
It's Hip To Buy Squares
Related Threads - Exposé :-)
The Batshit Association
Jobs
Tag Team
Feed the monster!
An ad for Fetch Chess Club :-)
Estimating VO2Max
Three little birds
A not uncommon swelling
Church Mouse January
Honey, where's my super suit?
Not here.
2020 (128)
December (6)
Blog A Day 2021?
9 years ago today
Chewie, We're Home! Happy Fetch Independence Day :-)
Be Prepared
Becoming an effluencer
A few Fetch Mugs left
November (10)
The Festive Fetch Calendar is back!
FIT file import
Mugs!
Thank you, mysterious Fetchie!
Chess
UTMOST in the age of COVID-19
This'll cheer you up for sure...
Lost in translation?
Annual Infographic... updating now.
In theory...
October (11)
Training Plan Analysis
Mini plans with the training plan
5k with The Boy :-)
Welcome to tomorrow
Thank you
Become tradeable!
Pre-Race Training Volume
Doctor K Cup Week
Last orders
Advice for a friend
Trader Makeover
September (6)
The shop is open!
Hoodie Colour!
New Fetch Hoodies
A big up/holler!
VO2max
A benchmark derailed by GPS data *nerd*
August (8)
10k analysis
Officially a Sheepy Shuffler!
Pi Watering
Pre-order Avoid Everyone Face Masks
I got sent these...
Other sites? :-O
Benchmarks - an infinitely configurable set of ladders.
Try the monthly infographic :-)
July (10)
Update on Monthly Training Infographic
New Infographic
Monthly Summary (with a little tweak)
A quick Garmin update
Open Water / Wild Swimming Database
Avoid Everyone - spares
OWS Locations
Thread-level search
New Sharing Graphic & New Pastures
My first lamp post
June (16)
Replacing the Who's Training page
Combining some pages
In pursuit of the Gridmaster Ultra
15th Anniversary Kit - Spares
Shoelaces
A new How To video
Training Plan Updated
Black Lives Matter
Avoid Everyone Spares + Second Batch
Wikipedia page
Another YouTube video for sharesies :-)
Getting data to Fetch from **other places**
Feature Voting - some further updates
Feature Voting - speeded up
Another How To video - this time, Conquercise
Fantastisches Tweeten
May (13)
A video for sharing
Bees!
Fetch Introductory Zoom Presentations
A promise to all Fetchies
Fetch Virtual Weekend: Replacement Bus Service
How has Fetch use changed?
Fetch Weekly Virtual Races
Zoom Meeting - Thursday 9 til 10am
WAVA Standards Update
WAVA Standards + Poll
Fun with Age Grading :-)
New Badges Day
The test shirt fabric has arrived :-)
April (14)
Zoom Podcast - watch the video
What is WBC?
If you did the free Amazon trial...
Some small amends (and shirt version)
Pre-orders open
I was only joking, but...
If Fetcheveryone did lockdown merch
Site outage - Thursday 16th April 11pm
On exercising responsibly
My Sports Quiz - how would you have scored?
Your creative thinking required
WBC My Favourite Teacher (a bit later than the deadline)
Updated Training League
Server Downtime, Thursday 9th 00:01BST to 04:00BST (and thank you!)
March (13)
New Fetch Game: Hide and Seek
Free trial of Audible
Do you have a good memory?
New Opt-In for Fetch Miles
New Badges for Fetch Miles
The Fetch Five: Don't Let CV19 Win!
Amending event dates and notifying of cancellations
A green light comes on over your head, and you can get on with life
Most Popular Shoe Brands 2019
A review
Android: Session I
Compare Your Training
Book Now to avoid disappointment :-)
February (10)
Imports from Suunto, Fitbit, Polar and TomTom.
Plot A Route - mobile improvements
Happy tugging!
Something to play with
Adding A New Feature
February Treasure Hunt
Server Downtime
Miles = Smiles
Build Your Mile
Pop Will Eat Himself: Update
January (11)
Clarence the Cadence Kitten
Trim your trails :-)
Seven Day Leaderboard
Let's try that again
Some minor blog amendments
Try the new Forum Search Prototype
Pop Will Eat Himself
A card from HowFar?
Thank you HowFar? (Statement, not a question)
Take the red pill
Climb every mountain
2019 (134)
December (7)
The Christmas Poem
Where your treasure is...
Listen to the dog breathe
Chewie, We're Home
Thursday's Challenge
Which GPS?
Fetch Shop (of sorts)
November (12)
The zeroth challenge
Polar users - auto import
Calling all Polar users
Mobile Optimisation
Calling all Android users
Did your ads disappear?
Pin that sucker down :-)
Easier tagging
Category now editable from VIEW
Kit now editable from VIEW
Working towards tagging
Manual Add Training bug
October (16)
Boring Cricket Blog
Books Part 2
Books :-)
42
Training tags Part 2
Training tags
Let's Jazzercise
My precious
Cricket Week 4: Footage :-)
Forum Training Threads
Benny Neutrino Returns
Cricket Week 3: Wingardium Leviosa!
Benny Neutrino's Filter Tips
Cricket Week 2
Continuing Amazon Affiliate Saga
In case you haven't seen...
September (11)
Updated: Spare Anniversary Kit
Affiliate links
I did a cricket!
Fetch365 - enjoy responsibly
Filth
My dear old things
Buddies vs Follow
Server Invoice Day
Our new MOTM sponsor
Fetch Power!
Race Listings: Please Read
August (5)
Everyone *rainbow*
Almost there...
Quick blog
Country Badges
A new set of badges
July (6)
Pre-orders open
Anniversary Shirts v2
Fetch 15th Anniversary Shirts
Fetch Fest 2020
Shout Outs
Missing imports from Garmin yesterday
June (13)
Who Squares Wins: 64 screenshot
Who Squares Wins: 64 Player Edition
Training summary - older pages
Training sub-menu rejig
Try the infographic
Steady Edina
Annual Summary Infographic
The height of daft things
The training summary - the morning session
The training summary - a wordier blog
Try the annual summary thing
How to listen to the Fetch Podcast
12 month summary mega-graph!
May (15)
£79.99 off the bottom line
Competition
parkrun reviews - now with routes
Fix It Friday; Project Joker Week 2; and some shout outs.
Fetch Kit Cupboard Sale
The bonus ball
Project Joker - Week 1
Fix It Friday
A quick update on the server
Fetch 15th Anniversary Kit
There is a good service operating
Oof.
In case you're wondering...
Trouble auto importing from Garmin?
Fix It Friday: Stuff that came to me in dreams
April (12)
Feature Voting - now with virtual badges :-)
The moment of triumph!
New Feature Voting
Fix It Friday: What would your horse be called?
Marathon Pacing: tyre-kickers required
Fix It Friday: Back to Basics
Podcast Poll
Fix It Friday: The League Of Everyone
Dom, dom, dom, I've got DOMS, I've got DOMS!
Crouch, Touch, Pause.... longer pause... what am I doing again?
Training Log - Update
Site Update: New Font
March (15)
Fix It Friday: An Endless Mission
Naming and faming :-)
2nd in my age category!
Fix It Friday: Brought to you by Surprise Inset Day
New training log
Route Matching - Ready :-)
Fix It Friday
What's your unit of measurement?
Ciderthon competition
Fix It Friday: Stroopwafels of Doom!
Route Matching - Update
This week's cool list
Me in the river
Big Fetch Miles 2019
Fix It Friday: Fingerprints!
February (13)
A Maths Challenge
Fetch Legends: Activate!
Whose coat is this jacket?
Fix It Friday: The Fix Awakens
Joining the awesome list...
Fix It Friday
Naming and faming :-)
Fix It Friday - Monthly Summary
Training Month Summary
Podcast Q&A
If you can't read this, don't panic.
*redsaber* The force is strong with these Fetchies!
Fix It Friday *bluesaber*
January (9)
Some shout outs :-)
Fix It Friday!
Podcast Ep 3, plus some naming and faming :-)
Fix It Friday
Fetch Chaos
Oooh! Second chance Berlin trip! And new subbers, podcast episode, and Trader.
My week of running
Naming and faming - this week :-)
Naming and faming :-)
2018 (138)
December (8)
A Christmas Message (in podcast form)
Rungeon :-)
Hey, Everyone!
France Trip Vote
Happy Fetch Independence Day
Actual free trip to France (incl. flights)
Litter
Sombrero's Lovely Cards
November (14)
Hoodies + other spares
Spare Fetch Kit
Festive Fetch Calendar 2018
Avatars
Book Giveaway - Can We Run With You, Grandfather?
Fix It Friday
Bedford Harriers Half - place offered
Updated Kit Bag
Family Fortunes :-)
Any adidas experts out there?
No Fixes Today - just two challenges
Big Fetch Mile Cardiff
Fix It Friday
Festive Fetch Calendar 2018
October (14)
Hello landlubbers
Embedded polls
Member of the Month
Fix It Friday
Spare Fetch shirts and vests
Abingdon
Fix It Friday
My Fetch Mile
One thing's for sure, we're all gonna be a lot thinner.
Fix It Friday - 'Ave It!
Automatic route matching
Automatic route matching
One last reminder for those cycling jerseys
Fix It Friday - Forensics and User Experience
September (14)
Fix It Friday
Server Downtime 2.30pm 26th September
Never Again
Fix It Friday!
Handling your weirdness
Cards ordered :-)
Just wondering...
Fix It Friday :-)
Try the Fetcheveryone Tutorial
40 days and 40 nights
Fix It Friday
ARION insoles - review part 1
Fetch Shirt - Black Ones, and sizing
Shirts and Vests Pre-Order
August (14)
Fix It Friday
Blog Height squished
Site Outage Last Night
New Mobile Nav
Fix It Friday
New feature - how you doin'? :-)
Sunflower spread
Fix It Friday
A new pre-race mileage graph
Fetch Social: Draycote Water September
Fix It Friday: The Supermarket Analogy
A run with _andy :-)
Suunto 9 Review
Fix it Friday
July (5)
Fix It Friday!
Five Get Wet In Devon
Big Glasgow Weekend - Part 1: Gies A Cwtch
Tom Williams Interview - Final Part
Glasgow Big Fetch Mile Results and Pics
June (17)
Abingdon Week 17 - P&D Booster rockets
Interviewing Tom Williams: Part III
Walking League (and one just for Nellers)
Follow Roads - continued
Week 18 in the bag
Tackling turds
Abingdon Marathon Training: Week 18
Interview with Tom Williams - Part 2
Server
Five Questions (ready for serious answers)
Kick some tyres for me
Interview with Tom Williams - Part 1
Five Questions
Follow Roads saga
Google maps progress, plus Abingdon plans
Training Summary - Infographics
Who Squares Wins - ranking update
May (10)
Training log maps converted
More mapping updates
Who Squares Wins - The Wizard's Hat
De doo doo doo... another one bites the dust...
Invisible changes
Silverstone 10k
Three year throwback
Why your support makes the difference
Some high mileage Fetchies
dryrobe winner
April (14)
Interviewing Tom Williams
Swimming Caps!
#finishformatt
New batch of shirts and vests
You make big mistake my friend
Fetchpoint
Glasgow Big Fetch Mile announced
Two tickets to the Running Awards
Pics from Dudley Big Fetch Mile
Notes for London Marathon Fetchpointers
Results from today's Big Fetch Mile
Who Squares Wins - prototype board
Attention London Marathoners!
New game - coming soon
March (9)
Intervals, Solidarity, Swimming and Fmail
Ready to give the new fmail a try?
More on fmail
New fmail system
Win a dryrobe :-)
For jabberknit...
Updating the Training Home page
Pics from Bedford Big Fetch Mile
Sledgends :-)
February (13)
Buffs On Sale
Big Fetch Mile Bedford
Vlog :-)
Marathon Talk
Important GDPR stuff - PLEASE read
A page of historical importance
Vlog :-)
Road Rash, Marathon Prediction and T-Shirts
This :-)
Capturing the dog
It's BACK!
Enter Wilmslow Half Marathon
An advertisement
January (6)
Local Fetchies - Opt In
Revealed: World's Best Shoes
How I chose the Big Fetch Mile venues
Big Fetch Mile 2018 - Venues & Provisional Dates
Try adding an image to your training entry
Mileage Targets 2018 - Update
2017 (147)
December (12)
Mileage Targets 2018
Thank you
Brownie Recipe :-)
Phew
Fetch Hoodies + Buffs SALE Update
Chewie, We're Home
Fetch Hoodies SALE - what's left
Fetch Hoodies! SALE!!! (and Buffs available too)
Chewie, We're Home
Sharing pics
Fetch Jingle Mile Cambridge photos
Glorious Failure: Bedford Harriers Half Marathon
November (20)
Serpents, hamstrings and inversions
A special anniversary approaches...
Hamstring and prototype updates
Training Log Prototype - Today's Improvements
Red Venom sale
For what it's worth...
Training Log Prototype - Update #2
Training Log Prototype - Update
Big Fetch Mile - venue hunt
RT for a Garmin
Training Log Prototype - To Be Fixed
fetcheveryone.com/amazon
The Weekly vLog (by me)
Thanks :-)
New Training Log Prototype - Available Now
Thanks for following
VLog - footage from the Cardiff Big Fetch Mile
Big Fetch Mile[s] 2018
Win a place in the Surrey Half
I vont to scan your barcode.
October (12)
Big Fetch Weekend :-)
Fetch Mile Results
Festive Fetch Calendar :-O
Calling Parkers everywhere!
In which I decorate a cake.
Regent's Park Fetchie Discount
Elevation in colour
"I didn't come here to walk to Sparta!"
New elevation info
Chicken Ballot-ine, with a side order of beef
New training log headers
Ballot day tomorrow - help needed
September (19)
Weekly vLog - COCONUTS!!!
River Thames Half Marathon
The lollipop update
On failing gracefully
Doctor K Day
Fetch Kit Sale - Updates
Weekly vLog
Fetch Kit Sale
Training Log View Update
Fetcheveryone Weekly? Vlog?
Fetchie Race Discount - Regent's Park 10k
Training Log Tags - Live
Training Log Tags
Weekly vLog - Derby Mile, and a pause to salute the legendary Doctor K
24 hours later
Doctor K donation page
Doctor K
Fetch Weekly vLog
Derby Mile - tomorrow!
August (8)
Race Prices; and an alien earworm
Straight outta Cromford - the Fetch Weekly vLog!
A Fetch vLog! With prizes!
Quick search location for sharing
New WAVA graph
Weird FIT file thing
Back from me 'olidays :-)
Linking race results to training log entries
July (12)
Race Pricing - crowdsourcing
Appdate for Android and iPhone
Inhalers
Fetch Mile - Cardiff?
Bookends
Race listing omelette
Coding and town planning
Please review your races
A2B winners
Motivational Sounds - the final 10
Two more Big Fetch Miles? :-)
Bedford Fetch Mile Results
June (19)
Big Fetch Mile
Motivational Sounds
Fetch fug - updated design
Fetch fug (available at the Fetch mile)
I've done the naughtiest thing ever.
Donating Blood - my Vlog
Fapp In the App Store :-)
Can I kick it?
A***biscuits
This just in...
For Bean
Your app status is Waiting For Review
A2B
Fetch Caps
Garmin Communicator Plugin
Fetch App - strong and stable testing
HTTPS is here
Fetch App progress
https access to the site
May (14)
Fetch App
Apostrophes
[Untitled]
[Untitled]
Site down at 11pm
Round and round the garden
Try the new home page layout
Server down tonight @ 11pm
Browser testers wanted
The Big Fetch Mile!!!
Site *NOT* down tonight. [cough]
Bluffer's Competition - Winner
Bedford parkrun timelapse
Return of the cap
April (8)
Fetchpoint (London and Milton Keynes!)
Base camp, VMLM
Bronze!
Just for D2
Off to the awards
Bloodvlog
Hoodies - it's on!
Updated Training Home Page
March (6)
'Train' page
Project Joker
Hoodies and Londons
Hands up, hands UP! Draycote Water 10
Bluffer's Competition
Project Joker
February (12)
Draggable?
Running Awards shortlisted
Route Plotter now with OpenStreetMap
Plan for Bluffer's comp
Update to Route Plotter
First update to the route mapper
For Angus
Virtuous Circles
Competition coming soon
Race Guide Ads
Club La Santa vLog
Fetch Fixtures
January (5)
Word Clouds
Buckets Ready
New Home Page
Do me a favour...
Limited Companies, filing accounts, that sort of thing
2016 (128)
December (11)
Festive Fetch Calendar - Winners
Festive Fetch Calendar - Winners
Five Years Ago Today
Pantsfest! May the stains be ever in your favour!
#FEXIT
Photoshop SOS
Attention: Fitbit users
Bedford Half 2016
Luton Fetchmob: Breaking Point
Vote Fetch!
Breaking news: Paris Marathon
November (21)
How to end a LiveChat.
Define wrong
TomTom Runner 3 Review - Any Questions?
Deliveryman
Movember: Project Beard: Day 24: Beardraggled
Festive Fetch Calendar 2016
We're gonna be in the Hudson
Hey Chiefy
I've written summat
Going Postal
A special mention
Training Log Beta
Spare Hoodies
Updates to Training Beta
Movember: Project Beard - Day 8 (The Seven Day Itch)
Vote for Fetch
Training Log Detail View - Some Changes
Aberdeen University Study
Consultation V2
[Untitled]
Fetchpoint - October Winners and November Prizes
October (16)
Alien nuggets!
Keeping a tight lid on the biscuit tin
Training Log Beta
100 Running Words
Pssst....
Fetchmob, December 3rd
Where to mob?
Little things
That All-Time Mileage League
The sudoku that keeps on giving.
Sub-25 for 1km :-)
Fetchmob - December 3rd
New Training Log Preview
Fixed the overlap...
Why the new training log isn't ready yet...
vLog
September (12)
Doughnut or Donate
Training Log - Sneak Peek
Fetch Shop Sale! Old stuff clearout!
vLog!!!
The consultation system...
Garmin support for timezone info
The GMT/BST/Timezone problem
Training Log Consultation...
Training Log - Consultation
Fetch Social Runs
Subscriber shirts, vests and hoodies, and determination.
Fetch Voluntary Subscriptions
August (3)
Ze Gryndylows! My first #OWS :-)
Testing Fetchpoint exclusion zones
Fetchpoint scoring system
July (7)
Conquercise Prize Draw?
Fetch Games: Checkpoints (and what's wrong with them)
More owls...
Your Favourite Fetch Game?
Even More Utmost Than Before...
Chiswick!
15 days later...
June (10)
Five days on...
[Untitled]
A quick thank you...
What do you think?
If you'd be so kind...
Poised
Which watch?
Run Bedford 10k
Import from a TomTom
Attention TomTom users
May (10)
Race Distance poll
An ungainly fish
A five year plan
What Club La Santa can learn from parkrun
Cream Me Up, Scotty
Greetings from Club La Santa
And a quick poll...
Club Charter
A poll about intervals
More owls!
April (11)
Robin Hood and his Merry Dad :-)
Warning: Dull - some screen res stats
Responsive Design Update
For all you marathoners
A Poll
Fetchpoint
Ditching the forum categories?
Moving to Responsive Design
Sandy 10: Be Kind To Horses
Owls!
For Adam and Jamie
March (11)
Bacon Smoke!
Benchmarks Update
Bath - Race Report
PB!!!!!!!
An annoying eight-year-old.
Let's Cook and Cut and Paste :-)
Let's Cook :-)
RIP Gramma
Book Winners
Dog farming
Site header update
February (5)
Book Giveaway
Pi Club
Pi Project Update
Because I'd like to check the blogging badges are working...
Crapruary
January (11)
Snooker Freak
Badges - Another Update
Unlockable Badges - Update
Unlockable Badges
TomTom Runner 2 Review
Gallery updates
Snowball coding and Fetch Unlockables!
Achievement Medals - what do you reckon?
Run The Sum
2015 Book List (and a bit of a review / plan)
Festive Fetch Calendar - Winners
2015 (175)
December (7)
Red Red Wine
A Poll
Gis a job!
Bedford Half
REMEMBER!!!
Vote for Fetch
Now you've hopefully got the idea...
November (13)
The Festive Fetch Calendar
Don't get excited or anything...
Slightly Dismal Friday
Pre-order your Fetch Buff now :-)
A message from our sponsor
Dr Fetch will see you now
Only the grumbliest, achiest chocolate... :-)
The Stanford Experiment
Buff Design
Snugs - Review
Love, Commitment, Support
The pre-wedding blog!
Good morning Fetchers, good morning Everyone
October (9)
Monthly Totals
Did you write a blog yesterday?
The First Rule of Web Server Maintenance
The gain line
Fectch
The zipper challenge!
Sugar daddy
Now in colour!
Competition Time!!!
September (14)
Teach your kids (or yourself) to code
Sticky Training Choices
Goodies: GetMore water and the Alcatel OneTouch Watch
Shirt size guidelines
This nearly made it...
Subscriber Shirt Design
I've got wood!
Humbled
New Beginnings
Some more questions answered
Swimming
Some responses to your comments
Standing on the shoulders of Fetchies
Funtleks
August (8)
24 hours in the south
24 hours in the north
Fetchies Assemble!
Thank you
Better knowledge than riches
Fitbit Urge
The villainous Mr Fetch!
Uncomfortable rear
July (8)
Why don't you play Conquercise?
Another week of strange training
Book Giveaway - Winners
GPS Reviews
Criteria for reviewing a GPS
Auto-bike-detector :-)
Win some bookses :-)
Half Way!
June (13)
Time Lapse Clouds
TomTom Bandit - very QUICK first impressions
My wings are like a shield of steel!
Running plus Cycling update
Embarrassingly...
Stalkers Paradise!
Recommend me a bike :-)
Holy Steamrollers Batman!
Rest day (no such thing)
Sqveeeeze!
We will now imitate the flight of a goose :-)
You made me ink! Snorkel safari :-)
Good morning from CLS :-)
May (10)
Club La Santa :-)
The AWESOME Power of Fetchies!
Home Insurance Shaftage :-/
Editing Forum Posts
The Future!
Some London Marathon stats
Walking On The Moon
Hardest parkrun?
New found wisdom
Week 1
April (11)
Marathon vLog
I owe some hugs!
And that concludes the voting from the Danish judges
Adventures in geocaching
Your video clips wanted!
Jelly with no spoons
Random Ultra
Suncream in my eyes - a review of 'Running and Stuff'
Books what I've read this year
Measuring the effect of wind
Wind Roses
March (18)
Watching the tide roll away
A great week of running!
Happy Jigs Wisdom!
Mobile Fetch
I don't do this very often...
Breathless Optimism
20 miles yesterday
This Week's vLog
Decision Trees and the sub-4!
Democracy Street
Mayan Maths
Bath Half (at last)
Still a chicken
Costume Drama in Bath
TomTom importing
Updated 'Train' page
Zonked
Nearly
February (29)
Pheasant
An Unexpected Journey
Wind picking up...
An unplanned kit alarm
Race Pace Test
2nd place
Week ends
Bounceback
Barking carrots
Bedroom pizza
Top of the mountain
Blogs get the mobile treatment
Supersonic Katie, and a marathon pace question
Back home
Racing parkrun ;-)
Unblocking the sink
Start in Darkness
Some times I'd like
Mobile Site - Forum Section
All-Time Leaderboards
Batteries
Sword fighting
PB Attempts
Duct tape and WD40
Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants
Lessons
Shoe horning
Training vLog Week 13
Big February Project
January (35)
Cake, invalidated
Small sips
LiRF, award shortlist, beginners, books, boy.
Dog Available :-)
Cutback
New Recipe Section
Lazy
Another threshold run
New Beginnings
Blah
But far more importantly...
Fetch Beginners Programme
Give it a go :-)
Training vLog - Week 11
Threshold Run (a running blog)
Long day, short blog
(Lack of) Pump Action
A thread to follow
This Boy Can
Local Leaderboards for Checkpoints
Choking.
February 18th
Godzilla!
The Travelling Checkpoint Salesman
Acorn Antiques
Bearing Up
Deleted Bridges and Dodgy Lasers
I'm Batman!
Healthy and Appy
Punch O'Clock!
The plan, then.
Ten mile toes
On Parliament
[Untitled]
Bold Claims, and a Challenge for 2015
2014 (262)
December (9)
A trip to Wales (vLog)
Christmas Messages from Fetchies
Various
FERC London Marathon Places - Draw
It's gone in my sock...
Festive Fetch Five
This Week's Training
To the Post Office!
Training vLog - Week 4
November (12)
I Am Groot!
Slightly Dismal Friday
Week 3 - in which I nearly drown my wife!
I said yes :-)
Free Daps! aka Test GORE-TEX® footwear this winter!
Training vLog - Week 2
More chances for VMLM entries
Marathon Talk
My first training vLog :-)
Second place?
In :-)
Questionnaire about personality traits amongst runners
October (16)
Adidas API
Horseplay minimiser
Running with the big dog
Flat and Windy
Who'd like to test the Garmin API then?
Advantage Borg
Deal?
Jumble
Milk Tray Reps in the Rain
Geneva
Quote
Hatfield 5k, and some other running thoughts
Site layout changes
Vote for Training Plans
Maths help
3-2-1
September (8)
A quick device poll
Garmin Connect API
Cake at the lake :-)
Empowering Women
This Week's Training
Tick :-)
Article help
First outing with the Harriets
August (7)
Book club and Harriers
A treasure trove for bookish types
What I did on my Summer Holidays
Local decoration
The Fisher King
Mojitos and no mosquitos!
Cake-athlon
July (26)
James Mason
Missing Week
Camping View
Wild Camping
Quick
Transalpine Race
In brief
Urgent! Pair of runners wanted!
Fetch Kit Available to Pre-order :-)
Fetch Anniversary Kit - Preview
API and FAK!
That dog has a puffy tail
More books
Reverse Moses
Zombies vs Plants
Shovel required
Nightfever
Dayfever
Catcher in the Rye
My sister the psychologist
Drink your strong limey drink
Keep me in the loop
Bread knives, hedgehogs and the dog in the night time
Whoops
Pinteresting
Q&A?
June (34)
Checkpoints video
Walden
Happy boys and giggly imps
Spring loaded
Elbow grease
Fetch 10th Anniversary Kit
Fetch YouTube Tutorial - Race Guide
Finding the Library folder on a Mac
Stoat!
Sonic screwdriver
Live wires
Wiring help needed
Garmin Express Experiment
Scalded sloth
Garminge
Potching
New Forum Layout
Further updates to the blog layout
New blog layout
First woodpecker
Beastin' parkrun
Pantoball
All was well
USA! USA! USA!
Marking Territory
The People's Poet Is Dead :-(
Holy Water
Throwing shapes
Life moves pretty fast
Recursion is beautiful
Win an OS Explorer / Landranger map of your choice
Intervals with a Suunto Ambit 2S
Tick
Economy done two ways
May (31)
[Untitled]
Vorsprung Durch Lego Technic
How do I liberate my boy from his XBox?
Questions?
Life in the Woods
Lazy
MovesMissed
Intervals with a TomTom
Electioneering
[Untitled]
Tree fluff
More camping
Zen and Camping
Not eaten by bears
Bear food
Camping List
Camping Venn Diagrams
Floppy dog
Routes but not Rathbone
Illustrator wanted
Masking
Highlights
The Cosmic Ballet Goes On
Silverstone 10k :-)
Quick one
[Untitled]
Superhuman snooker
Dogturdflagman
Numbers!
Whittlin'
Chapter 1
April (29)
King Bin
Quiet day on Feedback Mountain
Listing
42
Go directly to parkrun. Do not pass Godzuki.
A day in Wales
[Untitled]
Spanner
The Lost Diadem of Fetchbook
Falling asleep in my dinner
Egg
Sofathon
God gave rock and roll to you.
Sugar Mule
Not bad, consid'rin.
Tinkering
Can U Dig It?
A weekend in Wales
Looking forward to Oliver!
Thank you, and more App talk
RIP Nan
Blah
Appy
Pyjamas at both ends.
Thump. Saturday has started.
Sore tum :-/
Zombies aside... first impressions of the new TomTom
TomTom Runner Cardio Press Event
Am I pregnant?
March (31)
Cornflakes Cornflakes Cornflakes Cornflakes Cornflakes Cornflakes Cornflakes
Sandy 10
#bedfordhappy
Me on YouTube
New graphs live
Follow the dot
Only the best for the Captain's table
Mrs Diahann Wagner is GOING HORNY
Sport Relief Win
Hot dogs, quick blogs
Toton Sidings
A sign!
Owen Farrell visualisation technique
Kebabs!
Booster fails to ignite
Myton Rugby Run (5 Miler)
Rugby before rugby
Sweetcorn antidote
Custard factory
Pooped
I did some intervals :-)
Speed work?
Many things
A bit cabbagey here.
Angry Wasp
Minty
Rainbow's End
Core Dump
Bath Half (in detail)
A quick overview
Down to business in Bath
February (28)
Made it to Bath
Unexpected hugs
Slider
I like to go a-wandering
Spring cleaning
Tongue-lolling
Because We're Worth It
I don't know what!
Thanks Jim
Enough now
Clearing the pipes
Crouch, Touch, Pause...
Medication, that's what you need.
Symptom Tour
Hello FBI
Dazed day
Why I'm an optimist
Mobius birds
Snotty knuckles
In this house...
Retch Everyone
Carrots
Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
Ultrahalfmarathoner
Angry Birds
Belching
Clarkson averse
Good day :-)
January (31)
*bunting* *cake*
Bigger Boys
Zombies!
Pretending to be Saga Norén
Waiting for the AA
Ship shape
Readthrough
Technology takes you further
Love Garden
Cushions
High Heel Striker
Bit of a rubbish one
Ta
Hot Re-fills
Coding Grinch
An august prediction
Some Running Goals for Q1
Wipe-clean dog
Breaking it down
Snakes and Ladders
Bigger Ponds
Drink Your Weak Lemon Drink
All in All
Panning the pancake
Does JK Rowling own a dog?
Back to the kitchen table
Steve Davis shoes
Pigs on a water slide
Sloshing
Protocol
19 books :-)
2013 (29)
December (3)
Oh...
Engine Management Light
Hannibal Vector
November (3)
Speed skating
Stew-pendous
Cool Hand Grandpa
October (3)
Bookish
Minecraft Cake
Random dump
September (2)
Blog by Email!
Catchup blah
August (3)
Big Green Caterpillar
Questions answered - final CLS blog
Last Days at Club La Santa
July (10)
A nice morning of swimming and tennis
Please Read: Questions for a sports coach
Snorkeltastic
Hitting the straps
First Impressions at Club La Santa
Mile High Blog
Clocking off
For the second week running...
Another Club La Santa catchup
The Floor In The Plan
June (3)
Club La Santa
Bulk Uploading, and win a book
FERC Charities 2011-2012
March (1)
Bath Weekend
January (1)
Meet Steve
2012 (39)
December (2)
Tired Now Boss
Bath - Week 14 + Foodbank
November (3)
White Level Reading
Bath - Week 15
Bath - Week 16
October (2)
Onwards!
C'mon Dave
July (1)
RIP Arnie
June (2)
Rub some bacon on it
18 weeks
May (9)
Techy not tetchy
Time for a techy blog
Time to walk the dog
Stevington 12k
Properly coldy
Still a bit coldy
New blog design live
A bit coldy
Blogs Redesign
April (2)
Easter
SERIOUSLY LORD FETCH, SORT IT OUT
March (8)
A long run up
Running Tick
Weekend
Sport Relief Mile
Back once again
Swimming sweetcorn and other vegetables
Joy Rides, Sticks and Medals
Training Tip
February (9)
And...
Katie, ICT, and some more MySQL
May The Ground Force Be With You
Functions
Well done Batman.
Optimisation Crossword
Snow Days
Gallery, and parkrun
Pleased
January (1)
There Are Some Really Sexy Girls On Fetch







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