technology

More photos from my recent trip – Part Two

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

Strathspey Railway

Strathspey Railway 5025
Strathspey Railway 5025
Strathspey Railway 5025 front detail
Strathspey Railway 5025

River Findhorn at Logie Steading

River Findhorn at Logie Steading
River Findhorn at Logie Steading
Monochrome close-up of a fern
Fern in the sun

Isle of Skye

We moved onto the Isle of Skye.

The Bridge to Skye​
The Bridge to Skye

Loch Alsh from Kyleakin

Loch Alsh from Kyleakin

Loch Greshornish

Loch  Greshornish
Loch Greshornish
Loch Greshornish

Dunvegan

Dunvegan, The Duirinish Stone, Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables
Dunvegan, The Duirinish Stone, Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables
Dunvegan
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House

The Duirinish Stone

The Duirinish Stone
The Duirinish Stone

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Portree

Portree Harbour
Portree Harbour
Portree

Broadford

Broadford
Broadford
Pabay
Pabay

Loch Linnhe – Fort William

Loch Linnhe - Fort William
Loch Linnhe - Fort William
Loch Linnhe - Fort William

More photos from my recent trip – Part Two Read More »

Sunday on Skye

Isle of Skye Camping and Caravan Club Site
Loch Greshornish
Loch Greshornish

Dunvegan

From Dunvegan Car Park
From Dunvegan Car Park
Dunvegan
Dunvegan
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House
On the walk to The Duirinish Stone a Pixie House

The Duirinish Stone

The Duirinish Stone dates from the turn of the Millennium, not the stone age, and was put here by local villagers to commemorate the date.

It is located above Dunvegan with views of Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables in the distance.

The Duirinish Stone
The Duirinish Stone
The Duirinish Stone

At the foot of the hill are the ruins of St Mary’s Church.

St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church
Walking to The Duirinish Stone
Walking to The Duirinish Stone

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Loch Dunvegan and the MacLeod’s Tables

Sunday on Skye Read More »

Coffee

Storm Betty has passed leaving us with a sunny, dry but breezy morning.

Time for coffee.

Coffee by my hiking tent on the Isle of Skye

The plan today is to go nowhere for the morning as Jeremy wants to watch the football World Cup today. The last time I camped at this site was in 2013 and I commented on the lack of a phone signal – this would be a problem today when it comes to watching the football.

Skye Camping and Caravan Club Site

However a new phone mast that we can easily see from our tent has solved that problem.

Excellent internet at Skye Camping and Caravan Club Site Isle of Skye

Coffee Read More »

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack

I have a new Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack, primarily for using as hiking day pack. I chose this pack as it could also be used for travelling and work.

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack

It is a Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack in dark butterscotch. It has a good sized pocket for a water bottle and another for small gear. There is an external rear laptop pocket and an external front slip pocket which can be fastened with a small carabiner for security. Inside there is a long slip pocket with a key keeper and a small zippered pocket for valuables.

The main pack has a roll top lid with a hook fastening – the strap is long enough to use the whole of the bag with a small roll over. This could prove useful when hiking for carrying a jacket when not in use or extra gear when going away. One of the shoulder straps has a security buckle so it can be fastened to a chair when you are having a coffee, so the pack cannot be stolen. There is a gear rack under the front zipper rain flap and other sturdy loops that gear could be fastened to.

The material looks hard wearing, that includes the straps and buckles.

I went for a walk

The woods near Branston monochrome

I slung my 1.1l titanium canteen in its Molle carrier onto the righthand shoulder strap, where it was not in my way. I put another 500ml water bottle in the water bottle pouch. I then packed gear for a day’s walk including a picnic stool.

I did not go far and then stopped for tea – see the photo above. The rucksack carried well, the inside is really just a long tube so the equipment had to be packed carefully. Even so the padding on the back stopped any bits sticking in my back. The back ventilation worked OK. The shoulder straps were comfortable with enough adjustment and a chest strap to keep them in place.

A success as a day pack.

Work though…

There is a problem, My Dell XPS 15 laptop, probably one of the smallest 15inch laptops on the market, will no way fit in the laptop sleeve. The laptop sleeve is advertised to hold a 16inch laptop. So May be not so useful for work if I need my laptop.

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack does not fit a Dell XPS 15 laptop

I am a bit annoyed the laptop does not fit but for everything else I wanted it for I am pleased.

Craghoppers 20L Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack Read More »

Business photo

I had a two part article published today on Octagon Technology and Smart Thinking Solutions about upcycling old technology and the cyber security implications of doing so:

Linux for Business (Part I) – Octagon Technology

Linux for Business (Part II) – Smart Thinking Solutions

I needed a photo of the machine we installed Linux Mint on – this is it. There was not much I could do about the mirrored screen, except include these flowers in it rather than a view of the office.

Business photo Read More »